Crime
Businessman Arrested Over Illicit Drug Shipments from US into Nigeria
Businessman Arrested Over Illicit Drug Shipments from US into Nigeria
By: Michael Mike
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have arrested a Lekki-based businessman and proprietor of Damillionz Takeout, Arokodare Damil Ebenezer in connection with the shipment of 60 parcels of Loud, a strong strain of cannabis, from the United States of America to Nigeria.
The spokesman of the NDLEA, Femi Babafemi said the 43-year-old businessman was arrested at Bay Lounge, Admiralty Way, Lekki area of Lagos where he does his illicit drug business last Monday while he was expecting to take the delivery of his latest drug consignment.
Babafemi said the suspect arrest followed the seizure of his cargo that arrived Nigeria in seven big cartons at a logistics company in Lagos on 12th March by NDLEA operatives of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation
(DOGI).
After his arrest, he was taken to his Lekki home for a search during which 94 grammes of the same psychoactive substance, cannabis crusher and other drug paraphernalia were recovered, bringing the total weight of the drug seized from him to 32.24 kilogrammes.
In his statement, he claimed he started the illicit drug business in 2017.
Attempt by another businessman Omoruyi Terry to export 1,400 pills of tramadol 225mg weighing 800 grammes to Italy has also been thwarted by NDLEA officers at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
Babafemi said Omoruyi was intercepted at the screening point of terminal 2 of the Lagos airport on his way to Italy via a Qatar Airways flight. Investigation reveals the suspect is an Italy based frequent traveler and logistics agent.
In Katsina, four suspects: Baraka Abubakar, 40; Haruna Alitine, 23; Muhammad Babangida, 20; and Hamisu Lawal, were arrested last Friday during an intelligence led raid operation at Godai village in Daura local government area where 684 blocks of compressed skunk, a strain of cannabis weighing 423 kilogrammes and 86,000 pills of diazepam were recovered from them. The three male suspects were arrested while repackaging the diazepam tablets into other containers while Baraka, the female suspect was apprehended with the heaps of skunk in her house.
The NDLEA spokesman said not less than 13,198 kilogrammes of cannabis sativa were destroyed in Edo forests across parts of the state between last Monday and Friday by NDLEA operatives who also evacuated 158 kilogrammes of same substance for possible prosecution.
He disclosed that the forests where no fewer than four cannabis plantations were discovered and destroyed include: Uhen forest, Ovia North East local government area. Sobe, Owan West local government area; and Amahor forest in Igueben local government area.
In Niger state, NDLEA officers on patrol along Mokwa-Jebba road last Friday intercepted a black Toyota Corolla car marked SLM 137 SV and arrested the two occupants in possession of 179 blocks of compressed skunk with a total weight of 77.6 kilogrammes concealed in false bottom of the vehicle. The two suspects are: Paul Christopher, 46, and Lucky Anumie. In another operation, 50 kilogrammes skunk was on Saturday recovered from the home of a suspect, Isa Iliya, who is currently at large, in Wawa village, Borgu council area of the state.
While 108.5kg of skunk was recovered from lockup shops at Aria New Market, in Enugu metropolis, Enugu state by NDLEA operatives last Tuesday, 25 kilogrammes of same substance was seized from a suspect Abdulrazak Saka at Kilako Area of Ilorin, Kwara State last Monday. Another suspect Sulk Saheed, 50, was nabbed with 2.5 kilogrammes of Ghanaian Loud and 515 grammes of Colorado, at Olomi Academy area of Ibadan, Oyo state.
Babafemi said with the same vigour, commands and formations of the agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization activities to schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others in the past week.
Meanwhile, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd) while commending the officers and men of MMIA, DOGI, Edo, Kwara, Niger, Enugu, Oyo and Katsina commands of the agency for the arrests and seizures, stated that their operational successes and those of their compatriots across the country especially their balanced approach to drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts are well appreciated. He extended eid-el-fitr greetings to them, their families, other stakeholders and Nigerians at large.
He added that: “May the spirit of obedience and sacrifice that defines this special day guide and strengthen us as we remain steadfast in our pursuit of a drug-free society. May Allah continue to bless and guide us and may our collective efforts bring us closer to a safer and healthier society for all.”
Businessman Arrested Over Illicit Drug Shipments from US into Nigeria
Troops recover another bodies of four herders, targeted and killed by Kaduna
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) have recovered the bodies of four herders allegedly killed by local youths in a reprisal attack in Kamantan Chiefdom, Kaduna State.
Security sources said the incident followed a kidnapping episode at Zuturuntinta village, where the herders were reported missing.
The sources disclosed that troops received intelligence on April 4 indicating that the victims were attacked and killed while relocating with their cattle to a safer location on the same night of the incident.
“They were reportedly intercepted and attacked by some angry youths, allegedly in retaliation for the death of a local during the kidnapping incident,” the source said.
Following the report, the Chairman of Miyetti Allah in the area requested military assistance to mobilise the community for a search operation to locate the missing herders.
Troops were immediately deployed to the village, where they convened a meeting with community members, including the village head.
The village head was said to have provided local hunters and members of the Kaduna Vigilante Service (KADVS) to support the search alongside troops and Fulani representatives.
During the operation, troops identified multiple indicators suggesting the herders had been killed.
“Following blood trails, troops discovered a shallow grave where the four victims were buried,” the source added.
Items recovered at the scene included two mobile phones.
The remains of the victims were reburied at the same location in accordance with Islamic rites, with the consent of their families and Fulani community leaders.
The Sector Commander has directed community leaders to produce those responsible for the killings not later than Wednesday to face justice and help restore peace in the area.
Troops have since been deployed to reinforce security and prevent possible reprisal attacks.
Troops recover another bodies of four herders, targeted and killed by Kaduna
Troops recover suspected rustled cattle in Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) have recovered suspected rustled cattle during a night patrol in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Security sources said the recovery was made on April 3 at about 10:05 p.m. following intelligence on the movement of suspected cattle rustlers along Suma Ruga Rakwok village axis.
It was gathered that troops deployed at Kanse laid an ambush along a bush path in the area.
On sighting the troops, the rustlers reportedly abandoned the cattle and fled into the surrounding bush.
The recovered livestock have been secured, while efforts are ongoing to ascertain the exact number and identify the rightful owners.
Sources added that Fulani community leaders would be contacted to facilitate proper identification and handover of the cattle.
Troops recover suspected rustled cattle in Plateau
Troops neutralise kidnapper, rescue victim in Enugu
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation UDO KA have neutralised a suspected kidnapper and rescued a victim during a search-and-rescue operation in Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State.
Security sources said the operation was conducted on April 3 at about 6:05 a.m. following a distress call from the Nigeria Police, Obolo Division, based on a report by the Ezimo Community Neighbourhood Watch.
It was gathered that the troops, drawn from 82 Division Garrison and Sector 1 of Operation UDO KA, made contact with the suspected kidnappers during the operation, leading to a gun battle.
One of the suspects was neutralised, while others fled into the surrounding bush.
During exploitation of the area, the troops successfully rescued the kidnapped victim.
Items recovered at the scene included six mobile phones, a power bank, a torchlight, energy drinks, clothing and food items.
The corpse of the neutralised suspect and the rescued victim were handed over to the police for further action.
Authorities said efforts are ongoing to track down the fleeing suspects and ensure the area remains secure.
Troops neutralise kidnapper, rescue victim in Enugu
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