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
Troops Raid Hideout, Arrest Suspected IPOB/ESN Commander and Four Others in Ebonyi
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Nigerian Army have arrested a suspected commander of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), alongside four other suspects during a targeted raid in Ebonyi state.
Security sources told Zagazola that the operation was conducted at about 1:42 a.m. on April 21 by troops of Sector 2 under Operation UDO KA, following credible intelligence on the location of the suspect.
The sources said the raid targeted the hideout of a wanted suspect identified as Mr. Chinedu Igautu, also known by the alias “Calamity,” who is believed to be a commander within the IPOB/ESN structure operating in Delta State.
Further intelligence reportedly linked the suspect to an attack on police personnel at Okuku-Igbo in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State in February 2026.
According to the sources, troops stormed the hideout located in Nwofe community, Ebonyi Local Government Area, where the suspect and four others were apprehended without resistance.
Items recovered during the operation include five mobile phones and a motorcycle key.
Military authorities said the suspects are currently in custody for further interrogation and investigation.
They added that the operation forms part of ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal and separatist-linked networks operating within the South-East and adjoining states.
The Nigerian Army reaffirmed its commitment to sustained intelligence-led operations aimed at ensuring peace, security, and stability in all affected areas.
Troops Raid Hideout, Arrest Suspected IPOB/ESN Commander and Four Others in Ebonyi
Troops Arrest Three Suspected Cultists in Imo
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Nigerian Army have arrested three suspected cultists following a distress call from a community vigilante group in Imo State.
Security sources Zagazola that the operation was carried out at about 9:00 p.m. on April 20 by troops of 24 Support Engineer Regiment deployed at a location in Onicha.
The sources said the troops responded to reports from members of the Onichibueze community vigilante, who raised alarm over suspected cultists allegedly harassing residents of the area.
“On receipt of the distress call, the troops swiftly mobilised to the community and apprehended three suspected cultists,” a source said.
The suspects were subsequently handed over to the police in Isu for further investigation and necessary action.
Military authorities commended the vigilance of community members and reiterated the importance of timely information sharing with security agencies.
They assured residents of continued collaboration with other security agencies to maintain peace and security across the state.
Troops Arrest Three Suspected Cultists in Imo
ISWAP Buries 30 Fighters After Devastating NAF Airstrikes in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) have reportedly buried about 30 of their members following devastating airstrikes by the Nigerian military in parts of northern Borno state.
Credible military sources told Zagazola Makama that the terrorists conducted burial rites in the Mallam Fatori axis after a series of precision air interdiction missions carried out by the Nigerian military under Operation HADIN KAI.
The sources said the strikes were executed after intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) reports confirmed the movement of ISWAP fighters along waterways around the Kaniram Island area.
An ISR platform had earlier observed a large number of boats estimated at over 30 positioned along the riverbank, with associated human activity indicating the presence of terrorists coordinating logistics and movement.
Following positive identification, air assets conducted multiple precision strikes on the targets.
“The initial strike disrupted and destroyed several of the boats used by the terrorists for transportation and logistics,” a source said.
Subsequent strikes targeted fleeing and regrouping elements within nearby vegetation, leading to further neutralisation of fighters.
According to Battle Damage Assessment (BDA), more than 30 terrorists were killed across the engagements, while several others were seen escaping into adjoining hideouts.
Further intelligence, including post-strike imagery and intercepted visuals, later confirmed that ISWAP members conducted mass burial rites for those killed during the operation in the Mallam Fatori axis.
“The burial activities observed serve as clear confirmation of the scale of losses inflicted on the terrorist group,” the source added.
In a related development, additional strikes were carried out at nearby locations, including Sowolwolo, where a separate group of terrorists was engaged and eliminated.
Military authorities noted that the sustained air operations have significantly degraded the operational capability of ISWAP elements in the Lake Chad region, particularly their mobility and ability to coordinate attacks.
The Nigerian military reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining pressure on terrorist groups and consolidating gains recorded in ongoing operations aimed at restoring peace and stability in the North East.
ISWAP Buries 30 Fighters After Devastating NAF Airstrikes in Borno
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