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
Troops recover body of kidnapped Fulani community leader in Plateau, arrest suspect
Troops recover body of kidnapped Fulani community leader in Plateau, arrest suspect
By:Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 4 under Operation Enduring Peace have recovered the decomposing body of a kidnapped community leader, Alhaji Lawal Abubakar Wakili of Kekong, during a search-and-rescue operation in Gashish District, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Security sources said the discovery was made at about 070930A on May 6 when troops, in collaboration with local residents, conducted a coordinated search within the fringes of Kurra, Jokko hills and surrounding bush areas.
The victim was reportedly abducted earlier at Gashish, prompting sustained search operations by troops and community members in the area.
Following the recovery of the body, tensions reportedly rose in parts of the community, with aggrieved residents demanding the release of suspects earlier arrested in connection with the kidnapping.
The sources said troops quickly brought the situation under control through engagement and assurance that due process and justice would be followed in handling the case.
In a related development, one Chiroma Bello Abdulkarim, 67, of Ningon village in Gashish District, was arrested in connection with the kidnapping and killing of the victim.
He is currently in custody undergoing investigation alongside other suspects linked to the incident.
Security operatives said calm had been restored in the area, while efforts were ongoing to track additional suspects believed to be connected to the crime.
They added that investigation was being intensified to uncover the circumstances surrounding the abduction and ensure all those involved are brought to justice.
Troops recover body of kidnapped Fulani community leader in Plateau, arrest suspect
Crime
Troops recover 34 cattle after alleged farm destruction in Plateau community
Troops recover 34 cattle after alleged farm destruction in Plateau community
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops under Sector 3 of Operation Enduring Peace have recovered 34 cattle following a reported case of farm destruction at Zobwo village in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Security sources said the troops were mobilised at about 070645A on May 6 after receiving a report of alleged malicious destruction of an irrigation farm with machetes by suspected herders in the area.

On arrival at the scene, the troops assessed the situation and subsequently conducted a follow-up operation around a nearby settlement identified as Tafi Gana within the same local government area.
During the operation, the herders reportedly fled on sighting the troops, abandoning their cattle.

The sources said the troops recovered 34 cattle from the settlement and moved them to a secure location for further necessary action.
They added that calm had since been restored in the affected area, while efforts were ongoing to ensure proper handling of the recovered livestock in line with established procedures.

Security presence has been maintained in the general area to prevent further escalation and to forestall possible reprisal incidents.
Authorities said investigation into the incident had commenced to establish circumstances surrounding the reported farm destruction and the ownership of the recovered cattle.
Troops recover 34 cattle after alleged farm destruction in Plateau community
Crime
Passenger Sues British Airways Over Alleged Missing Luggage
Passenger Sues British Airways Over Alleged Missing Luggage
By: Michael Mike
The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed July 2 for continuation of hearing in a suit filed by a passenger, Mr. Amechi Michael, against British Airways over alleged missing carry-on luggage.
At the resumed hearing, the plaintiff was cross-examined by defence counsel, Mr. John Godwin, who held the brief of Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Folorunsho Majiyagbe.
During cross-examination, Amechi told the court that he reported the incident to the airline’s customer care service and was subsequently referred to the UK-based Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution for resolution.
According to him, the arbitrator issued an award in his favour regarding the delayed flight but did not address the issue of the allegedly missing carry-on luggage.
The plaintiff further informed the court that he rejected the arbitral award because he was dissatisfied with the outcome and thereafter approached the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking redress over the alleged loss of the luggage.
Amechi argued that the airline owed him a duty of care to return the luggage and alleged that members of the airline’s staff acted negligently after a cabin crew member reportedly requested that the bag be handed over for safekeeping during a delayed boarding process.
Counsel to the plaintiff, Ms. Abiola Olaitan and Mr. Shuaib O. Hammed of Parvina Partners, informed the court of their intention to close the plaintiff’s case.
Presiding judge, Justice Obiora Egwuatu, subsequently adjourned the matter until July 2 for the defence to open its case and continuation of trial.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1293/2025, seeks recovery of the plaintiff’s carry-on luggage allegedly lost while in the custody of the airline.
The case stems from an international trip during which the plaintiff alleged that his hand luggage was taken from him by airline personnel during a delayed boarding process with assurances that it would be kept safely and returned upon arrival.
However, according to court filings, the luggage was allegedly not returned after the flight, prompting repeated complaints to the airline and subsequent dispute resolution efforts.
The dispute later moved to the arbitration stage after the passenger was referred to the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution in the United Kingdom, a mechanism frequently used by international airlines to handle customer complaints outside the courtroom.
While the arbitration process reportedly awarded compensation connected to the delayed flight, the plaintiff maintained that the core issue relating to the missing carry-on luggage remained unresolved, leading to the present legal action before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The suit is one of several recent cases highlighting growing concerns among Nigerian air travellers over passenger rights, airline accountability and compensation claims involving delayed flights, lost baggage and customer care disputes within the international aviation sector.
Passenger Sues British Airways Over Alleged Missing Luggage
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