Crime
Eleven drug traffickers arrested at Lagos, Abuja Airports
Eleven drug traffickers arrested at Lagos, Abuja Airports
By: Michael Mike
No fewer than 11 members of trafficking syndicates have been arrested in connection to drug seizures at both Lagos and Abuja airports.
A statement on Sunday by the spokesman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Femi Babafemi said several attempts by agents of drug cartels to break through the security at Nigeria’s main airports in Lagos and Abuja with large consignments of assorted illicit substances were thwarted by operatives of the agency.
Babafemi said: “No fewer than 11 members of the trafficking syndicates have been arrested in connection to the seizures. Beside the 11 suspects, a 35-year-old physically challenged lady, Kasarachi Onumajuru who hides under her condition to deal drugs in Umudumaonu community, Mbaitoli local government area of Imo state was also arrested on Sunday 29th May.”
He disclosed that first on the list of those arrested in connection to seizures at the two airports is Ofor Chileobi who had on Friday 20th May attempted to export to Dubai, United Arab Emirates 200 blocks of cannabis sativa weighing 30.2 kilogrammes concealed in 40 sacks of bitter leaf through the SAHCO export shed, a cargo wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
He said on the same day, 10 cartons of khat with a gross weight of 354.6 kilogrammes were also seized at the NAHCO import shed of the airport, and the following day, Saturday 21st May, a freight agent, Roland Orinami was arrested by NDLEA operatives attached to the local wing of the Lagos airport with 1.9 kilogrammes Loud, a variant of cannabis, factory packed in some bottles while trying to send same via flight to Abuja.
Babafemi added that a follow up operation in Abuja led to the arrest of a taxi driver, Nsikak Evans sent to collect the consignment, whose confession also led to the arrest of the actual owner, Adesanya Isaac at his house in Life Camp area of Abuja.
He said Adesanya who claims to be into Information Technology, accepted ownership of the seized drug, and said it was meant for an upcoming birthday party of one of his friends.
He said in another clampdown on Tuesday 24th May, another freight agent, Moshood Olaide was arrested at NAHCO export shed of the MMIA when he presented a cargo containing psychotropic substances heading to Dubai.
According to him, the illegal consignment was packed into other items such as can drinks, liquid bitters and other non-controlled drugs, with the seized drugs including tramadol 225mg, Rohypnol and MDMA.
He said a follow up operation led to the arrest of another suspect linked to the crime, Olagboye Selim on Friday 27th May, adding that also on the same day, operatives of the Nigerian Customs Service at NAHCO import shed transferred 15 cartons of khat leaf with a gross weight of 256.7 kilogrammes which came into the country on Royal Air Maroc to NDLEA command at the airport.
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Babafemi also disclosed that the previous day, Monday 23rd May, another freight agent, Lasebikan Gbenga was arrested with 200 bottles of pentazocine injection, with a brand name “Drutapent” weighing 1.05 kilogrammes, with the consignment heading to the United States of America.
He said another agent, Akuta Lucy was on Thursday 26th May arrested at the SAHCO export shed while attempting to export 14.75 kilogrammes of khat concealed inside other vegetable leaves and food condiments such as bitter leaf, scent leaf, pepper, all packed in bags for shipment to the United Kingdom.
At the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, a 45-year-old Ezika Nicholas was arrested on Thursday 26th May for ingesting 60 pellets of cocaine weighing 1.037 kilogrammes on arrival from Addis Ababa on board Ethiopian airline.
According to him, Ezika who claims he’s into shoe business before his arrest travelled to Ethiopia on 23rd May on the invitation of the person who gave him the drug, which he ingested before returning into the waiting arms of NDLEA officers at the Abuja airport.
He said efforts by drug cartels to export 4 kilogrammes methamphetamine concealed in nylon rolls to New Zealand were also frustrated by anti-narcotic officers attached to a courier company in Lagos just as they blocked different quantities of cannabis sativa and Tramadol hidden in soles of slippers from being shipped to Oman through the same firm.
He said no fewer than 335,820 tablets of tramadol, Exol 5, Diazepam and Rohypnol as well as 400 bottles of codeine syrup concealed in bags of vegetables have been intercepted in Abuja in a hummer passenger bus coming from Enugu on Monday 30th May, adding that the bus driver, Augustine James, 35, is currently helping investigation.
According to him, In Imo state, 1,111 kilogrammes of cannabis sativa heading to the Orlu forest, which has become a fortress for non-state actors, was intercepted on Thursday 26th May.
Meanwhile the Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Retd) has commended the officers and men of MMIA, NAIA, DOGI, FCT and Imo Commands of the agency for sustaining the heat on drug cartels.
Eleven drug traffickers arrested at Lagos, Abuja Airports
Confusion in ISWAP camp after senior Commander killed by own IED in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Confusion has reportedly engulfed a factional camp of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) following the death of a senior Commander who was allegedly killed by an improvised explosive device (IED) planted by his own group.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident, which occurred on Feb. 24, triggered internal discord and heightened tensions within the insurgent ranks operating in parts of the Lake Chad Basin.
According to the sources, a fighter identified as a unit intelligence member (UIM) sought clarification from a senior Commander, Amir Musa, over the circumstances surrounding the deaths of two members of the group.
The UIM reportedly demanded explanations over the killing of one Abu Nazir, said to have been eliminated by fellow ISWAP elements, as well as the death of a senior Commander, Abu Kasim.
Abu Kasim was said to have died after an IED planted by his faction detonated along a route where he was operating. The explosion reportedly occurred amid clashes between ISWAP and rival Boko Haram elements.
Further accounts indicated that Abu Nazir’s death followed an encounter with Boko Haram fighters believed to have been responsible for the earlier killing of Abu Kasim, compounding tensions and suspicion within the camp.
Sources said the development suggested possible cases of friendly fire, operational lapses and a breakdown in coordination among the insurgents.
The incident is believed to reflect persistent hostilities between ISWAP and the Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS), commonly referred to as Boko Haram, despite both groups tracing their origins to the same insurgent movement.
Sources say such internal rifts has further weaken the operational cohesion of the factions, even as security forces sustain pressure on terrorist enclaves across the region.
Confusion in ISWAP camp after senior Commander killed by own IED in Borno
Troops neutralise 15 terrorists, destroy logistics hub in Gujba in Yobe
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 2 under Operation DESERT SANITY V have neutralised 15 terrorists and destroyed a suspected logistics base during a precision operation around Lamusheri Village in Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe state.
Military sources told Zagazola that the early morning operation on Feb. 22 followed weeks of intelligence gathering supported by satellite imagery and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance air platforms, which identified the location as a terrorist attack launch point and logistics hub.
According to the sources, troops, alongside members of the Civilian Joint Task Force, came under fire while approaching the target but tactically outflanked the insurgents and cut off their escape routes.
During the ensuing firefight, 15 terrorists were neutralised, while several others escaped with suspected gunshot wounds.
Security personnel also discovered extensive defensive structures at the site and destroyed all identified life-support facilities used by the group.
In addition, five tricycles and two vehicles allegedly used for attacks and logistics were destroyed and set ablaze with their contents.
Recovered items included a cache of arms and ammunition, as well as two bandoliers and carmel pouches.
The military said two personnel sustained gunshot wounds during the operation but were in stable condition, adding that the general security situation in the area remained calm but unpredictable, while troop morale and combat efficiency remained high.
Troops neutralise 15 terrorists, destroy logistics hub in Gujba in Yobe
One killed, another injured as Lakurawa bandits attack cattle range in Sokoto
By: Zagazola Makama
One person has been killed and another injured following an attack by suspected Lakurawa armed bandits on a cattle range on the outskirts of Tangaza along the Nigeria–Niger border in Sokoto State.
Sources said the incident occurred on Feb. 20 at about 9:15 p.m., when a large group of bandits armed with sophisticated weapons reportedly stormed the area, opening fire on residents.
Army Forward Operating Base, and other security forces were swiftly mobilized to the scene. The troops confirmed that one Yahaya Al-Hassan, 30, was shot dead, while Bello Muhammad sustained a gunshot injury to his left leg.
The attackers reportedly rustled an unspecified number of domestic animals before fleeing into a nearby forest. The deceased and the injured victim were evacuated to the General Hospital Tangaza for autopsy and treatment.
The troops said efforts were being intensified to apprehend the assailants and recover the stolen livestock. Confidence-building patrols by joint security teams are ongoing in the area to reassure residents and prevent further attacks.
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