Crime
Drug baroness, 4 kingpins arrested as NDLEA busts 3 syndicates in Lagos
Drug baroness, 4 kingpins arrested as NDLEA busts 3 syndicates in Lagos
By: Michael Mike
Operatives of a special unit of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have smashed three major illicit drug syndicates.
According to a statement by the spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi, the syndicates were smashed in intelligence-led operations across parts of Lagos state, leading to the arrest of a baroness and four other kingpins with multi-billion naira worth of cocaine, opioids and loud recovered from their hideouts.

Babafemi disclosed that a female head of one of the syndicates, Faith Nwankwo was arrested last Wednesday at her residence, House 6, C close, 3rd Avenue, Festac area of Lagos shortly after she returned from a warehouse at Plot 3432 Sola Akinsola Street, Divine Estate, Amuwo Odofin where she loaded eight cartons of tramadol 225mg into an unmarked white Honda Pilot SUV.
He said a search of her residence and the warehouse led to the recovery of 2,750,000 pills of tramaking, a brand of tramadol 225mg and 250mg packed in 39 cartons weighing 1,916 kilogrammes. The drugs and the SUV were recovered while the suspect was taken into custody.
In another operation targeted at a group of transnational syndicate involved in importation, exportation, distribution, and dealing in cocaine and Canadian loud, Babafemi said operatives of the same Special Unit of the agency on 4th August tracked the drug syndicate to Atlantic Nominee Estate in Lekki- Ajah area of Lagos where a blue Toyota Highlander SUV was loaded with 8.49 kilogrammes of cocaine and 10.3 kilogrammes Canadian loud for distribution by the duo of Urama Chinemelum, 32, and Adelakun Oluade, 55. He said a follow-up operation at the residence of Chinemelum at House 7, Road 7, Lagra estate, Eti-Osa, Lagos led to the recovery of additional 18 blocks of loud weighing 18.5 kilogrammes.
He said the following day, Saturday 5th August, operatives of the Special Unit went after another syndicate involved in importation, distribution and diversion of ephedrine hydrochloride, a precursor chemical used for the production of methamphetamine, following intelligence that members of the cartel were planning to divert 25 kilogrammes of the substance.
He disclosed that two members of the syndicate: Udeh Ogbonna, 53, and Okonkwo Ifeanyi, 50, were arrested at a commercial bus terminal in Jibowu, Yaba, Lagos where they were attempting to send the concealed substance to the South East, adding that a body search conducted on the two suspects led to the recovery of $3,000 US Dollars found on Udeh Ogbonna.
Babafemi revealed that in operations across four other states of Ogun, Ondo, Edo and Nasarawa, NDLEA operatives recovered over 13,391.8 kilogrammes of skunk; bo fewer than 1,955 kilogrammes of the illicit substance packed in 139 jumbo bags and stored in the warehouse of a wanted notorious drug dealer, Lekan Jimoh (aka Konmo Konmo) in Ado Odo Ota area of Ogun state were recovered in the early hours of last Saturday in collaboration with officers and men of the Nigerian Army.
In Ondo, Ogbu Paul Odey, 30; Daniel Osidi, 34; John Iyage, 41; Friday Simon, 28; and Friday James, 24, were arrested in connection with the seizure and/or destruction of over 10,325.5 kilogrammes of cannabis sativa in Iju and Ala forests, in Akure area of the state between Wednesday 9th and Thursday 10th August.
While 22-year-old James Aga was arrested during the raid of an uncompleted building on the outskirts of Utese town in Ovia North East local government area of Edo State last Friday with 10 kilogrammes skunk, 976 kilogrammes of the same substance was recovered from the building in addition to the recovery of four motorcycles.
Also, in an earlier operation in Utese forest last Tuesday, at least 46.545 kilogrammes of skunk were recovered and about 1.6 hectares of cannabis farms destroyed
while two suspects: Onyelunisue Azuka, 48 and Abraham Ayomide, 30, were arrested.
In Nasarawa state, 49-year-old Umar Abdullahi, was arrested last Friday with 64.8 kilogrammes of cannabis sativa in Doma local government area while NDLEA operatives of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation, DOGI, last Wednesday intercepted a 4.5 kilogrammes consignment of loud coming from the United States at a courier firm in Lagos.
In his reaction to the successful clampdown, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Retd) commended the officers and men of the Special Unit for being pro-active and pragmatic in the operations.
He also applauded their colleagues in Ogun, Ondo, Edo and Nasarawa Commands as well as those of DOGI for their zeal and professionalism. He however charged them and their compatriots across the country to remain vigilant and focused.
Drug baroness, 4 kingpins arrested as NDLEA busts 3 syndicates in Lagos
Crime
Troops destroy illegal mining sites in Niger
Troops destroy illegal mining sites in Niger
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Savannah Shield have destroyed illegal mining sites during a fighting patrol in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.
A military source said the operation was carried out at about 3:45 p.m. on March 27 by troops of 22 Brigade, Sector 1, in conjunction with personnel of 221 Battalion.
The source disclosed that the troops conducted the patrol to Daban Woko area following intelligence on illegal mining activities in the locality.
“On arrival, troops discovered illegal mining sites, which were subsequently destroyed and set ablaze,” the source said.
He added that the illegal miners fled the area on sighting the troops.
According to the source, the operation was completed successfully without any incident.
The source reaffirmed the commitment of the military to clamp down on illegal mining and other criminal activities undermining economic and environmental security.
Troops destroy illegal mining sites in Niger
Crime
Troops foil kidnap attempt, repel gunmen in Sokoto community
Troops foil kidnap attempt, repel gunmen in Sokoto community
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA have foiled a kidnap attempt and repelled suspected terrorists in Gesa village, Illela Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
A military source said the troops of 248 Reconnaissance Battalion, deployed at Forward Operating Base Sauna, responded to a distress call at about 10:30 a.m. on March 27.
The source disclosed that on arrival, troops discovered that two armed men on a motorcycle had stormed the village, firing sporadically in an attempt to abduct a nurse who was in the community for a medical outreach.
“On sighting the troops, the terrorists fled the scene, abandoning their mission,” the source said.
He added that troops subsequently dominated the general area to forestall further attacks.
The source also said the troops warned residents on the need to provide timely and credible information to security agencies for prompt response.
Troops foil kidnap attempt, repel gunmen in Sokoto community
Crime
Troops arrest suspected cult members, recover locally made pistol in Ebonyi state
Troops arrest suspected cult members, recover locally made pistol in Ebonyi state
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation UDO KA have arrested three suspected cult members and recovered a locally made pistol during a swift response to a distress call at the Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Ikwo in Ebonyi State.
Security sources said the operation was carried out at about 9:25 p.m. on March 25 by troops deployed at Forward Operating Base Ikwo, following reports from the Chief Security Officer of the university about gunshots suspected to be linked to cult activities around the campus.
The sources said troops moved immediately to the scene, where they apprehended three suspects found in possession of knives and scissors.
During preliminary interrogation, the suspects allegedly disclosed that another accomplice was in possession of an illegal firearm.
Acting on the information, troops proceeded to the suspect’s accommodation; however, he was said to have fled before their arrival.
A subsequent search of the room led to the recovery of one locally made pistol, concealed inside a handbag placed in the suspect’s wardrobe.
The sources added that efforts are ongoing to track and arrest the fleeing suspect, while the three arrested individuals remain in custody for further investigation and possible prosecution.
Troops arrest suspected cult members, recover locally made pistol in Ebonyi state
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