Crime

Drug baroness, 4 kingpins arrested as NDLEA busts 3 syndicates in Lagos

Published

3 years ago

August 13, 2023

Ochuwa Ibrahim

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 recover body of kidnapped Fulani community leader in Plateau, arrest suspect

Published

12 hours ago

May 8, 2026

Ochuwa Ibrahim

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

Published

12 hours ago

May 8, 2026

Ochuwa Ibrahim

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

Published

12 hours ago

May 8, 2026

Ochuwa Ibrahim

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