Police Rescue Abducted Senior Officer in Abuja

By: Zagazola Makama

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has rescued Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Modestus Ojiebe, who was abducted by armed men along the Kubwa Expressway in Abuja.

The FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, confirmed the development in a statement on Monday, saying the officer had been safely reunited with his family.

“Upon receiving the distress call, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Dawaki Division acted swiftly, leading his patrol team while alerting all police checkpoints and key entry and exit points into the FCT. This decisive response enabled the successful rescue of the officer on the same night,” she said.

The police also stated that efforts were ongoing to track down the suspects, who abandoned the officer and fled into the bush in Garaku, Nasarawa State.

Zagazola Makama had reported how the incident occurred late Sunday night when CSP Ojiebe’s Toyota Corolla developed a mechanical fault near Dei-Dei Barracks. While attempting to fix the vehicle, an ash-colored Mercedes-Benz with four armed occupants stopped behind him.

The assailants reportedly searched and robbed Ojiebe and his wife of their mobile phones and ATM cards. Upon discovering his police identity card, they forced him into their vehicle and sped off, leaving his wife and their car at the scene.

Following the abduction, the FCT Police intensified stop-and-search operations at various entry and exit points to track the perpetrators.

Police Rescue Abducted Senior Officer in Abuja

Group Praises Inuwa Yahaya for Allowing LGs Financial Autonomy in Gombe

By: Michael Mike

The Northern Christian Youth Professionals (NCYP) has commended the Governor of Gombe State, Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, for his unwavering support for Local Government Financial Autonomy, in line with the Supreme Court’s judgment of last year.

The landmark ruling reaffirmed the constitutional authority of Local Government Councils to manage their funds independently, free from state government interference.

According to the statement, the Chairman, Northern Christian Youth Professionals (NCYP), Isaac Abrak said Inuwa Yahaya’s decision to grant Local Government Chairmen in Gombe State full control over their funds without undue interference is a testament to his respect for the rule of law and commitment to grassroots development.

He noted that: “His actions not only demonstrate compliance with the Supreme Court’s directive but also reflect his dedication to strengthening democracy and fostering sustainable development at the local level. This also shows his alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision to combat poverty and insecurity by directly empowering the 774 Local Government Councils across Nigeria.”

The NCYP urged all Nigerians, particularly other state governors, to emulate Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s exemplary leadership. He has displayed remarkable integrity by refusing to manipulate the Joint Account and Allocation Committee (JAAC) system, which in some states has been used to divert funds meant for Local Government Councils. Rather than exploiting administrative loopholes, he has allowed local councils to directly manage and allocate resources for the benefit of their communities.

Abrak said: “We also recognize the crucial role of financial regulatory agencies such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) in ensuring transparency and accountability in fund management. Notably, EFCC Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, has emphasized that Local Government Chairmen do not enjoy immunity and that the commission is actively monitoring their activities through the newly established Fraud Risk Assessment and Control (FRAC) system. This initiative serves as a deterrent to mismanagement, ensuring that funds meant for grassroots development are utilized appropriately.

“Furthermore, we urge the Chairmen of the 11 Local Government Areas in Gombe State to uphold the trust placed in them by Governor Inuwa Yahaya and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. They must ensure transparent and effective utilization of these funds to improve the lives of grassroots citizens. By doing so, they will serve as role models for their counterparts across the country.”

The NCYP also called on the Federal Committee responsible for implementing Local Government Financial Autonomy, led by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, to provide forthright updates on the progress and challenges faced. This reform is a pro-masses, national initiative, and public engagement is vital for its success. However, the public can only play its part effectively if it is adequately informed and carried along in the implementation process.

The statement said: “We urge all stakeholders, including civil society organizations and the National Assembly, to support this cause and ensure the complete enforcement of this constitutional provision. A strong and financially independent local government system is essential for Nigeria’s progress and democratic consolidation.”

Group Praises Inuwa Yahaya for Allowing LGs Financial Autonomy in Gombe

NDLEA Arrest Worldwide Watchlisted Drug Baron with N1.4 billion Illicit Drugs

By: Michael Mike

After 17 years on the watchlist of anti-narcotics agency, a 59-year-old drug baron Ogbonnaya Kevin has been unearthed by the operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) from his hideout in Ojo area of Lagos State.

The notorious baron was said to have hatched numerous plans that led to shipment of illicit drugs across the world, whose worth are put at billions of naira.

Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Monday, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd) detailed how operatives of its Special Operations Unit had been on the trail of Ogbonnaya following an Interpol red notice against him and information from the National Intelligence Service of South Korea.

According to Marwa: “The major development that warranted this special briefing pertains to the arrest of a drug lord who’s wanted across the world as the leader of an international drug trafficking organisation. I am therefore pleased to announce this significant breakthrough in our efforts to dismantle drug trafficking syndicates operating within the country.

“As we have said four years ago when we began the reform of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), our prime targets are drug barons and other important figures that organise drug trafficking rings.

“On Wednesday, 12th February 2025, we achieved that objective in the successful arrest of Ogbonnaya Kevin Jeff, a 59-year-old drug baron. The suspect was arrested at his hideout at No. 3, Ibukunoluwa Taiwo Close, off LASU Road, Lagos. He has been under NDLEA investigation before his arrest.

“As a result, we have comprehensive intelligence on his activities, and incontrovertible facts that he is a notorious drug lord who recruited young Nigerians as couriers to smuggle illicit substances into the Republic of Korea (South Korea).
“Our records reveal that many Nigerians apprehended outside the country for drug-related offences were linked to him. Furthermore, we have established that he laundered drug proceeds through the importation of electronics and other goods. Following his arrest, a search of his residence led to the recovery of multiple Nigerian international passports belonging to different individuals, many of which contained Korean visas. Additionally, we recovered some illicit substances in a storehouse at the back of his house.”
While unmasking the suspect’s leadership role in the drug underworld, the NDLEA boss said “Ogbonnaya Kevin Jeff is not a typical domestic drug baron; he is an international trafficker operating both from Nigeria and abroad. His dossier indicates that he served a one-year prison sentence in the Republic of Korea in 2007 and was deported to Nigeria in 2008. Despite this, he continued his illicit trade, remaining actively involved in drug trafficking operations to the Far East.

“Presently, he is wanted in the Republic of Korea for multiple drug trafficking offences in collaboration with his accomplices. An INTERPOL Red Notice was issued for his arrest and extradition to the country for offences committed between 2023 and 2024. From a series of interdictions, it has been established that Ogbonnaya Kevin Jeff is the ringleader of a drug trafficking organisation responsible for smuggling narcotics into the People’s Republic of Korea. He has been orchestrating operations remotely by giving instructions to drug mules and domestic suppliers who are members of his syndicate spread across Cameroon, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Liberia and other East and Southern African countries.”

Marwa further gave insights into what investigations had unearthed about Ogbonnaya’s illicit trade activities. “On 5th October 2023, at a location in Burkina Faso, the suspect dispatched 6,051.06 grams of skunk, concealed in dried chillies and jujube, to a Korean, Kim Dong Wook at a designated address in Jinju City, Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea. The package arrived at Incheon Airport on 19th October 2023 at 07:20 am via Air France.

“Investigation reveals that while residing in Nigeria, he directed his drug couriers, Santa Elizabeth Pieterse and Carl Yohan Stephan Brisman, to smuggle a total of five kilograms of methamphetamine into South Korea via overseas flights, between December 2023 and April 2024. In recent time alone, he has sent illicit drugs worth over N1.4billion in street value to South Korea.

“Ogbonnoya maintains another domestic carrier, identified as “Asa”, who delivers for him drug consignments to a warehouse operated by Okori Emmanuel, a Nigerian who is his supply manager in South Korea. As of now, two arrest warrants have been issued against Ogbonnaya by the Seoul Central District Court in January and June 2024. These warrants charge him with importing narcotic drugs in violation of Article 3-7 of South Korea’s Narcotics Control Act, an offence punishable by a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.”

Marwa assured of NDLEA’s commitment to ensuring that Nigeria does not serve as a base for international drug trafficking operations. “We will continue our relentless fight against illicit drug networks and their financiers, in line with our mandate to safeguard public health and national security. The arrest of Ogbonnaya is therefore an affirmation of our resolve to work with our international partners to ensure no drug baron finds Nigeria a comfort zone to distribute illicit substances within the country or traffic them to other countries.”

NDLEA Arrest Worldwide Watchlisted Drug Baron with N1.4 billion Illicit Drugs