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

Suspected Fulani Bandits Attack Claims Miner’s Life in Plateau

Published

2 hours ago

August 23, 2026

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Suspected Fulani Bandits Attack Claims Miner’s Life in Plateau

By Zagazola Makama

A miner identified as Mr. Dachung Dacholom has been killed in an isolated shooting incident by suspected Fulani bandits at an illegal mining site in Rim community, Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The incident occurred at about 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 22, 2026, when troops of Sector 6, Operation ENDURING PEACE, deployed at Rim responded to reports of sporadic gunshots around an illegal mining site.

Military sources said the troops, alongside personnel of the Department of State Services (DSS), arrived at the location and discovered the corpse of Dacholom, who was reportedly shot by suspected Fulani militia members.

The assailants were said to have opened fire on miners at the site before fleeing into the surrounding high grounds.

The troops subsequently combed the general area in search of the attackers but made no contact with the assailants.

The victim’s remains were later handed over to his family members for burial.

Meanwhile, troops have intensified patrols and domination of the general area to prevent further attacks and de-escalate tensions in the community.

Security agencies are also continuing efforts to identify and apprehend those responsible for the attack.

Suspected Fulani Bandits Attack Claims Miner’s Life in Plateau

Crime

Troops Arrest Suspected Criminal Accused of Robbing Three Herders in Plateau

Published

12 hours ago

August 23, 2026

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Troops Arrest Suspected Criminal Accused of Robbing Three Herders in Plateau

By Zagazola Makama

Troops of Sector 6, Operation ENDURING PEACE (OPEP), have arrested a suspected criminal for allegedly robbing three herders who had provided him shelter overnight at Ungwan Boka Hills in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The suspect was arrested at about 7:00 a.m. on August 20, 2026, by troops deployed at a Sector Operational Patrol Post (SOPP) in the area.

Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the suspect had reportedly sought refuge with the three herders and was accommodated by them overnight at the Ungwan Boka Hills.

However, instead of leaving peacefully, the suspect allegedly robbed his hosts before troops apprehended him.

The suspect is currently in military custody and is expected to undergo further investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and determine whether he may be linked to other criminal activities in the area.

The arrest highlights the security challenges confronting communities around the Riyom axis, where isolated settlements and rugged terrain can provide opportunities for criminals to operate.

Troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE have continued to maintain patrols and surveillance across vulnerable areas of Plateau State as part of efforts to prevent criminal activities and protect residents and pastoral communities.

The security forces are also expected to intensify intelligence gathering and community engagement to identify suspected criminals operating within the area.

Troops Arrest Suspected Criminal Accused of Robbing Three Herders in Plateau

Crime

Troops Repel Terrorist Invasion in Sabon Birni, One Civilian Killed

Published

12 hours ago

August 23, 2026

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Troops Repel Terrorist Invasion in Sabon Birni, One Civilian Killed

By Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA have repelled an attempted terrorist invasion of Tsalanbango village in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State, killing one civilian and leaving two others wounded.

The incident occurred at about 12:13 a.m. on August 20, 2026, when troops deployed at Ungwalelle responded to reports of a terrorist invasion of the community.

Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the troops swiftly mobilised to the area and engaged the terrorists in a firefight.

The troops’ response reportedly forced the attackers to flee from the community and withdraw into the surrounding area.

However, one civilian was killed during the attack, while two others sustained gunshot wounds.

The injured victims were evacuated to Yarbulutu Hospital, where they were admitted for medical attention.

Following the engagement, troops maintained a presence in the area and continued patrols to prevent the attackers from regrouping or launching another assault on the community.

The incident underscores the persistent security challenges confronting communities in the Sabon Birni axis, particularly remote settlements vulnerable to terrorist incursions.

Security forces are expected to sustain intelligence-led patrols and surveillance across the area to protect residents and prevent further attacks.

Troops Repel Terrorist Invasion in Sabon Birni, One Civilian Killed