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 Arrest Suspected Spy in Borno, Neutralise Terrorists in Separate Encounter
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have arrested a suspected spy and neutralised two terrorists in separate operations in Borno State, as part of ongoing counter-insurgency efforts in the North-East theatre.
According to sources, the troops of 198 Special Forces Battalion apprehended a suspected spy on 25 April 2026 at about 21:40 hours while conducting surveillance operations along a parapet area within their operational environment.
The suspect was reportedly observed through while conducting reconnaissance on troop dispositions before attempting to conceal himself in nearby shrubs.
The sources stated that troops on standing patrol swiftly moved in and arrested the suspect, who could not provide any identification details and declined to give information during preliminary questioning.
He is currently in custody for further interrogation to determine his motive and possible links to hostile elements operating in the area.
In a separate development within the same theatre, troops also repelled an attempted infiltration by terrorists around Buratai District in Biu Local Government Area.
The encounter, which occurred late on 25 April 2026, resulted in the neutralisation of two terrorists, with troops recovering a motorcycle and a cache of ammunition after the attackers were forced to withdraw in disarray.
Military authorities noted that the general security situation remains fluid but under close monitoring, while reaffirming that troops’ morale and operational effectiveness remain high as counter-terrorism operations continue across the region.
Troops Arrest Suspected Spy in Borno, Neutralise Terrorists in Separate Encounter
Troops arrest suspected cattle rustlers in Maiduguri
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the 7 Division, Nigerian Army Delta Force, have arrested two suspected cattle rustlers during a routine security operation in Maiduguri Metropolis, Borno State.
Sources said the suspects were apprehended on April 25 at about 1600 hours inside an excavation area near the Tango 8 General Post ahead of the Marlians Mammy area.
The suspects were identified as Malam Modu Kur and Baba Goni Bacha, aged 20 and 16 respectively.
According to the sources, a search of the area did not yield further incriminating items, but troops recovered two mobile phones, a Bluetooth earpod, a cutlass, a bow and arrow, and three bottles of water from the suspects.
Preliminary investigations reportedly indicated that the movement of the suspects within the anti-vehicle ditch raised suspicion among troops on duty, leading to their interception and arrest.
The suspects are currently in custody and are expected to be handed over to the relevant military intelligence unit for further investigation and possible prosecution.
The operation, the statement added, was conducted without resistance and in line with ongoing efforts to curb cattle rustling and other criminal activities within the theatre of operations.
Zagazola reports that military authorities have continued intensified patrols and clearance operations across parts of Borno and surrounding areas in a bid to deny criminal elements freedom of action.
Troops arrest suspected cattle rustlers in Maiduguri
Troops arrest suspected Boko Haram logistics supplier in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Nigerian Army have arrested a suspected Boko Haram logistics supplier during a routine security operation in Kurnari area of Biu Local Government Area of Borno State.
Sources told Zagazola that the suspect, identified as 25-year-old Prilla Bulama Ali, was arrested on April 24 at about 4:25 p.m. following credible intelligence and a three-week surveillance operation.
The suspect was intercepted at a checkpoint mounted by troops of 135 Special Forces Battalion in collaboration with local vigilantes.
According to the source, the suspect was found in possession of a tricycle loaded with petrol, alongside mobile phones, a power bank, a debit card, a national identity card, a cutlass, and other suspected incriminating items including charms.
The source said preliminary investigation indicated that the suspect was heading towards Helmajibir general area in Biu Local Government Area when he was apprehended.
He added that the suspect and recovered items are currently in military custody and will be handed over to the appropriate authorities for further investigation and possible prosecution.
The military sources said that the arrest is part of ongoing efforts to disrupt terrorist logistics networks and deny insurgents access to supplies and local collaborators in the North-East theatre of operations.
Military authorities assured that operations under Operation Hadin Kai would continue to intensify pressure on terrorist elements until normalcy is fully restored in the region.
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