Crime
Cocaine trafficking: Two notorious drug kingpins sentenced to life imprisonment

Cocaine trafficking: Two notorious drug kingpins sentenced to life imprisonment
By: Michael Mike
Two notorious drug kingpins: Uwaezuoke Ikenna and Agbo Chidike have been sentenced to life imprisonments for drug trafficking offenses.
According to a statement by the spokesman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Femi Babafemi the two criminals would now spend the rest of their lives in jail, “bringing an end to their years of criminal enterprise of exporting cocaine across continents following their arrest and diligent prosecution by NDLEA.”
Babafemi said for 43-year-old businessman Uwaezuoke, his journey to a lifetime in jail began when he was first arrested by NDLEA operatives on 19th March 2022 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja during the inward clearance of Ethiopian Airlines flight from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia after he was found to have ingested 100 big wraps of cocaine weighing 2.243 kilogrammes.
Uwaezuoke was subsequently arraigned at the Federal High Court, Abuja Division in charge number FHC/ABJ/CR/438/2022 and was granted bail on certain conditions after he pleaded not guilty. He thereafter absconded, leading the court to revoke his bail and issue an arrest warrant against him.
“In a curious twist, Uwaezuoke was again arrested by NDLEA operatives on 1st August 2023, at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos while attempting to export 1.822 kilogrammes of cocaine to India through ingestion using a different passport and under a different name, Ilonzeh Onyebuchi.
“He was again arraigned before Justice Nicholas Oweibo of the Federal High Court, Lagos Division in charge number FHC/L/554C/2023. He pleaded guilty to the two counts charge and was convicted and sentenced on 18th October 2023 to a total term of seven years of imprisonment or a fine of ₦1, 500,000.00. He paid the fine and was transferred to Abuja to face the importation case pending against him.
“He was re-arraigned on 20th March 2024 at the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court in charge number FHC/ABJ/CR/438/2022 before Justice Joyce Obehi Abdulmalik, where he pleaded guilty again. Despite his plea, the court, noting his lack of remorse, the seriousness of drug-related offences and the fact that he is a repeated offender, convicted and sentenced him to life imprisonment.
In the case of 42-year-old Agbo Chidike Prince, he was arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja during the outward clearance of Ethiopian Airlines flight to Hong Kong on 21st October 2023 for ingesting 49 wraps of cocaine weighing 998.73 grammes.
“Upon his arraignment before Justice Joyce Obehi Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, the defendant pleaded guilty to the one count charge, prompting the prosecution to present evidence and review the facts of the case.
Despite the plea of allocutus by the defendant’s counsel, the court, noting the nature of the case and the commercial quantity of the drug, emphasized the seriousness of drug-related offences, convicted and sentenced the defendant on 15th April, 2024 to life imprisonment.”
Meanwhile, NDLEA officers at the Gate C Departure Hall of the Lagos airport last Friday arrested a passenger, Yahaya Oturah, while attempting to export 4,000 pills of tramadol 225mg to Malpensa, Italy on an Ethiopian Airline flight.
The psychoactive substance was found concealed in women wears and granulated melon packed in the suspect’s backpack and another bag containing food items. In his statement, Oturah who is a frequent flyer confessed he was hired to courier the drug for 700 Euros on successful delivery of the consignment in Italy.
In Bayelsa, NDLEA operatives last Wednesday arrested 28-year-old Jennifer Iliya at Amarata area of Yenagoa for producing and distributing cakes laced with illicit drugs especially cannabis sativa. At the time of her arrest, substantial number of the drugged cakes weighing 1.5 kilogrammes were recovered from her. A 20-year-old hair stylist, Josephine Odunu and a dispatch rider, Edesemi Ikporo, 30, had been arrested on Sunday 10th March by NDLEA operatives for in Yenagoa for a similar offence.
Two suspects: Joseph Dadik, 47, and Bensha Yari, 32, were arrested with 24,180 ampoules of pentazocine injection weighing 135.5 kilogrammes at Sabon Tasha, Kaduna, while Adamu Umar, 18, was nabbed with 20.7 kilogrammes cannabis when his house in Shuware area of Mubi, Adamawa state was raided on Friday 26th April.
In another incident, no less than 310.7 kilogrammes cannabis was recovered last Thursday when NDLEA operatives raided parts of Mushin in Lagos state. While 300 kilogrammes was seized at Olatunji Street, Mushin, 10.7 kilogrammes of same substance was retrieved from two suspects: Tijani Wasiu and Suleiman Aisha
at Anifowose, Mushin.
A suspect, Stanley Chukwudi, 43, was arrested with 5,900 ampoules of pentazocine injection at Sabon Gari area of Kano State last Thursday and a couple, Fredrick Odion, 53, and Gladys Odion, 52, were nabbed with 50 kilogrammes cannabis at Iruekpen, Esan West local government area, Edo state by NDLEA officers last Wednesday.
Babafemi said with the same zeal, the various commands of the agency across the country continued with the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy campaign in the past week.
The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Retd), while commending the officers and men of the Directorate of Prosecution and Legal Services of the Agency for the diligent prosecution of Uwazuoke and Agbo cases, said the success rate of cases prosecuted by the agency has shown that there’s no escape route for those involved in the illicit trade of drug trafficking.
He equally applauded those of MMIA, Lagos, Kaduna, Kano, Edo, Adamawa and Bayelsa Commands as well as their counterparts in all the commands across the country for intensifying their drug supply and drug demand reduction activities.
Cocaine trafficking: Two notorious drug kingpins sentenced to life imprisonment
Crime
Herdsman, 36 cows shot dead in fresh unprovoked attack in Plateau

Herdsman, 36 cows shot dead in fresh unprovoked attack in Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
A herdsman has been killed and 36 cows shot dead by unknown assailants in a fresh attack at Ndinn village, Fan District of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Zagazola Makama report that the incident, which occurred on Monday evening, is the latest undocumented violent attacks that have continued to claim lives and property in parts of the state.

Witnesses said the attackers ambushed the herder, identified as Abubakar Alhaji Woda, while he was grazing his cattle, and shot him dead before opening fire on his herd, killing 36 cows on the spot.
Residents described the attack as unprovoked and expressed concern over the growing wave of insecurity in rural parts of Barkin Ladi and neighbouring local government areas.
They lamented that despite several similar attacks in recent weeks, no arrests have been made, and the perpetrators continue to operate with impunity.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the FUYODA Riyom chapter coordinator, Muhammad Saidu, described the attack as “a heartbreaking reminder of the persistent insecurity and injustice faced by peaceful Fulani communities in Plateau.”
“We strongly condemn this act of violence and call on the relevant authorities to ensure that justice is served,” Saidu said.
He prayed for the repose of the deceased’s soul and called on the government to take decisive steps to restore confidence among pastoral communities who continue to suffer silent losses in the ongoing communal crisis.
“May Almighty Allah grant Abubakar Alhaji Woda Jannatul Firdaus, forgive his shortcomings, and comfort his family with patience and strength during this difficult time,” he added.
However, as of the time of filing this report, there has been no official statement from the Plateau State Government or security agencies regarding the attack.

Zagazola report that the recurring cycle of violence in Plateau State has often been reported only from the angle of reprisals, while several attacks on herders go undocumented or receive limited attention.
Community leaders have called on security operatives to fish out the perpetrators and ensure justice is served to prevent further escalation of hostilities in the area.
Herdsman, 36 cows shot dead in fresh unprovoked attack in Plateau
Crime
Again, Two Fulani women boy killed in fresh attack by Berom Militia along Mangu road, Plateau

Again, Two Fulani women boy killed in fresh attack by Berom Militia along Mangu road, Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
Armed men suspected to be members of a Berom militia have reportedly killed two Fulani women and a young boy in a fresh attack along the Mangu Road, near the NYSC orientation camp in Plateau State.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the victims were travelling in a commercial vehicle on Wednesday evening when they were stopped by the attackers, forced out of the car, and shot dead on the spot.
The incident is the latest in what residents describe as a disturbing and unprovoked pattern of targeted attacks against peaceful Fulani communities in parts of Plateau, particularly in Mangu, Barkin Ladi, and Riyom local government areas.
Community sources lamented that such attacks have become recurrent but rarely attract public condemnation or decisive government response, unlike reprisal incidents that often dominate media headlines.
They accused the state authorities of selective silence and inaction, noting that despite the frequency of these killings, little effort has been made to arrest or prosecute the perpetrators, many of whom are reportedly well known in the affected communities.
A youth leader in the area, who pleaded anonymity for security reasons, said the persistent attacks were pushing the communities toward despair.
“We have lost count of our people killed in unprovoked assaults. Sadly, the moment there is a reprisal, that is when the world takes notice. The government must rise above bias and protect everyone equally,” he said.
Security sources confirmed increased tension in the area following the latest killings, warning that unless prompt measures are taken, reprisal attacks could further escalate the fragile security situation in the state.
The Government of the state and Plateau State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement as of the time of filing this report.
Again, Two Fulani women boy killed in fresh attack by Berom Militia along Mangu road, Plateau
Crime
Bandits abduct 30 villagers in Zamfara

Bandits abduct 30 villagers in Zamfara
By: Zagazola Makama
Armed bandits have abducted 30 people during an attack on Zamfarawa village in Zugu District, Bukkuyum Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
Zagazola Makama report that the attack occurred on Oct. 7 at about 2:20 p.m., when a large number of bandits stormed the community, shooting sporadically to scare residents.
The hoodlums were said to have whisked away 30 villagers to an unknown destination.
Following the incident, security forces have intensified efforts to trace and rescue the abducted victims.
End
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