Crime
Drug Kingpin Arrested in Delta as NDLEA Intercepts N7.8 billion Opioids in Rivers
Drug Kingpin Arrested in Delta as NDLEA Intercepts N7.8 billion Opioids in Rivers
By: Michael Mike
A drug kingpin who had invaded a manhunt for three years has been apprehended by operatives of the anti-narcotics agency.
The spokesman of the he National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Femi Babafemi in a statement on Sunday said:
Three years after launching a manhunt for him over drug trafficking offences, a notorious drug kingpin, 36-year-old Sunday Ibigide has been arrested by operatives of the agency in Asaba, Delta state while attempting to move 250 blocks of skunk weighing 138 kilogrammes with his distribution bus.
He said Ibigide came under searchlight on 19th March 2022 in connection with the seizure of 24.137 kilogrammes of same psychoactive substance and 10 grammes of molly but thereafter went underground.
Babafemi said however, following credible intelligence, NDLEA operatives in Delta state were able to arrest him along with one of his aides Clement Osuya, 27, while they were trying to move the 250 parcels of skunk for distribution on Sunday 10th August 2025.
In another clampdown, the spokesman said no fewer than six suspects were arrested last Thursday and Friday when NDLEA operatives supported by the military and vigilantes raided three cannabis farms in Enugu Ezike, Enugu state where a total of 37,500 kilogrammes skunk was destroyed on 15 hectares of farmland.
He disclosed that those arrested include: Ugwuanyi Chinaso, 23; James Negedu, 26; Sopuruchukwu Obido, 22; Ebuka Onu, 30; Ukwueze Sunday, 42; and Oguche Friday; while 74.5 kilogrammes of the illicit substance was recovered for the prosecution of the suspects.
Babafemi said while 20,700 pills of tramadol and cocodamol were seized from a suspect Emmanuel Ayogu, 53, by NDLEA officers on patrol along Nsukka road, 9th mile Enugu on Saturday, two other suspects: Nsubechukwu Achidde, 24, and Osiaja Simple Frank, 41, were arrested with 27.6 kilogrammes skunk same day at the new market, Enugu.
In Lagos state, a 52-year-old woman Muyibat Mumuni was arrested with her son Faruk Mumuni, 25, by NDLEA operatives at Ladega street, Mushin last Wednesday for storing and distributing 298 blocks of Ghana Loud weighing 149 kilogrammes while another suspect Emmanuel Samuel was nabbed last Friday in Ajah area of Lekki where 8.5 kilogrammes Canadian Loud, a strain of cannabis was recovered from their apartment
He revealed that not less than 128,000 capsules of tramadol were recovered from a suspect Sani Mohammed, 32, who was arrested by NDLEA officers at Jauro Jatau, Gombe, Gombe state lasr Monday, while a total of 337,800 capsules of the same pharmaceutical opioid were seized by operatives on patrol along Okene-Lokoja highway, Kogi state from the driver of a commercial bus, Sulaiman Oyedokun, 47, coming from Onitsha, Anambra state and heading to Kotangora, Niger state.
Babafemi said while a total of 11,250 kilogrammes skunk was destroyed on 4.5 hectares of farmland last Tuesday when NDLEA operatives assisted by Sardauna Emirate Council and the Nigeria Forest Hunters Security Service raided the Tanmiya forest in Sardauna local government area, Taraba state, 29,840 capsules of tramadol were seized from a suspect Saleh Babangida, 20, at a check point in Wukari area of the state on Saturday.
In Kaduna state, two suspects: Mohammed Amdife, 46, and Sulaiman Mohammed, 22, were arrested in connection with the seizure of 22,640 pills of tramadol and rohypnol at Gwargwaje check point, Zaria and Tudun Wada area of the state. Two other suspects: Caroline David, 51, and Abdulhadi Umar, 30, were nabbed over the seizure of 111.1 kilogrammes skunk intercepted along Zaria- Kano road.
He said at the Port Harcourt Ports Complex, Onne, Rivers state, a total of 875,000 bottles of codeine based syrup worth over N6.1billion in street value and 3.5 million pills of trodol benzhexol valued at N1.7 billion were recovered from five containers under NDLEA intelligence tracking and watch-list during joint examination with Customs Service and other security agencies last Wednesday and Thursday at the West Africa Container Terminal (WACT) of the Onne port.
In Edo state, NDLEA operatives last Wednesday recovered 24 bags of skunk weighing 432 kilogrammes in a bush along Warake-Auchi road in Etsako West local government area, while 130 kilogrammes of same substance was seized at a warehouse in Sobe, Owan West local government are the following day.
Babafemi said a suspect Tahiru Manga, 25, was nabbed by NDLEA officers along Zaria-Kano road, with 16 kilogrammes skunk and another suspect Ibrahim Audu, 47, arrested with 76 kilogrammes of the same psychoactive substance at Gadar Tamburawa along Zaria-Kano road, Kano state last Wednesday.
He also said no fewer than 4,320 ampoules of ketamine injection were intercepted by NDLEA operatives at Gbaji checkpoint along Badagry-Lagos highway last Monday with a suspect Akeem Adegun arrested.
Babafemi said in like manner, command and formations of the agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization activities to schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others in the past week.
Meanwhile, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd) while commending the officers and men of PHPC, Gombe, Kogi, Lagos, Edo, Kano, Delta, Taraba, and Seme commands for the arrests, and seizures,, enjoined them and their colleagues across the country to continue with the ongoing balanced approach to the drug control efforts of the agency.
Drug Kingpin Arrested in Delta as NDLEA Intercepts N7.8 billion Opioids in Rivers
Troops rescue kidnapped woman in Taraba
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sub-Sector 3B, Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), have rescued a kidnapped woman during a search-and-rescue operation in Takum Local Government Area of Taraba.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the troops, deployed at Kufai Amadu in Takum LGA, received information at about 1:13 p.m. on Friday about a kidnapping incident at Torikegha village, Chanchanji Ward.
The source said the troops immediately moved to the village, where they were informed that the victim, Mrs Iloda Ayinba, a resident of Torikegha, had been abducted while on her way to her farm by suspected herdsmen relocating from the area.
According to the source, the troops pursued the suspects along their withdrawal route and conducted an extensive combing of the general area up to the power line corridor between Benue and Taraba states.
“Following the aggressive and robust search-and-rescue operation, the kidnappers abandoned the victim in the bush and fled,” the source said.
The troops subsequently rescued the woman, while no contact was made with the suspects during the exploitation of the area, the source added.
Troops rescue kidnapped woman in Taraba
Four children killed in Barkin Ladi reprisal attack as Plateau tensions escalate
By: Zagazola Makama
Four children were killed on Thursday in a reprisal attack allegedly carried out by armed Fulani herdsmen in Dorong village, Foron District of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, amid rising tensions following recent attacks on herders and cattle rustling in the area.
The victims were identified as Precious Joshuah, 17; Isa’ac Joshuah, 9; Mary Joshuah, 7; and Eve Sambo, 3.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the attack occurred less than 48 hours after coordinated assaults on pastoral communities in Barkin Ladi, Jos East and Riyom LGAs, during which no fewer than 168 cattle were rustled and several others poisoned.
Zagazola reports that on Wednesday evening, Militia from plateau rustled 137 cattle around Nding community in Fan District of Barkin Ladi LGA, while another 34 cattle were driven away from Kukukah community in Jos East LGA, with only three later returning.
Less than 24 hours later, nine cows reportedly died after grazing on poisoned substances around Kwi village in Riyom LGA, further heightening tension across the affected areas.
A community leader in Foron District, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the Dorong attack was carried out in the early hours of Thursday.
“The atmosphere has been tense since the cattle rustling incidents. People have been living in fear, warning that reprisals were imminent if nothing was done. Sadly, those fears have now materialised,” the source said.
Security sources confirmed the incident, adding that troops and other security operatives had been deployed to the area to prevent further escalation and restore calm.
We therefore renewed calls on the Plateau State Government and concerned security agencies to urgently intervene, arrest perpetrators on all sides, and address the underlying causes of the recurring violence.
Zagazola warned that without decisive action, including accountability for cattle rustling, livestock poisoning and retaliatory attacks, Plateau State risks sinking deeper into another cycle of reprisals that continues to claim innocent lives, particularly women and children.
As of the time of filing this report, authorities were yet to issue an official statement on the Dorong incident.
Four children killed in Barkin Ladi reprisal attack as Plateau tensions escalate
Troops neutralise three suspected kidnappers in Kaduna
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Joint Task Force Operation Enduring Peace have neutralised three suspected kidnappers during a raid on their hideout in Bakin Kogi, Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Zagazola gathered the operation, carried out on 11 December, was part of intensified efforts to clear criminal elements from the Joint Operations Area ahead of the yuletide celebrations.
The troops came under fire as they approached the hideout, but responded with superior firepower, overwhelming the armed gang.
Sources said the troops later conducted a sweep of the area and discovered the corpses of three suspected kidnappers neutralised during the exchange.
According to the source, the suspects were identified as members of a notorious syndicate responsible for multiple abductions and attacks on commuters along the Dangoma–Godogodo axis of Jema’a LGA.
He added that troops had launched follow-up operations to track down fleeing members of the group and dismantle their remaining networks.
The operation, he said, reflected the military’s sustained push to enhance security within Kaduna State and neighbouring areas.
Troops neutralise three suspected kidnappers in Kaduna
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