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Fentanyl: NDLEA busts lethal drug syndicate, arrests members in Anambra

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Fentanyl: NDLEA busts lethal drug syndicate, arrests members in Anambra

By: Michael Mike

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested members of a syndicate involved in the illicit importation and trafficking of lethal synthetic opioid, Fentanyl,

Fentanyl is a drug which is 100 times stronger than tramadol and capable of causing mass casualty among the youth population being targeted by the cartels.

In a press statement on Tuesday, the spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi said the arrest of two members of the syndicate: Odoh Oguejiofor and Oliver Uzoma at Ogbogwu market, Onitsha Head Bridge, Onitsha South local government area of Anambra State, in well-coordinated and clinical operations, is coming on the heels of an alert issued by the NDLEA on 22nd November 2022 that some criminal elements were plotting to flood the Nigerian market with the drug, which is currently responsible for over 70% overdose deaths as well as a major contributor to fatal and nonfatal overdoses in the United States.

Babafemi recalled that the CDC in the US, had described Fentanyl as 80 times as potent as morphine and 100 times more potent than heroin.

The NDLEA Spokesman said following credible intelligence and synergy with local and international partners, the anti-narcotics agency was able to mobilise necessary assets to trace the illicitly manufactured drug to the Ogbogwu market, Onitsha Head Bridge, reputed to be the largest drug market in West Africa, after months of undercover monitoring.

He said convinced that the agency has gathered sufficient evidence to nail the suspects, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Retd) ordered a deployment of operatives to pick members of the syndicate one after the other. Odoh Oguejiofor was the first to be arrested while on a business mission with packets of 100 micrograms of Fentanyl, while the arrest of Uzoma who is a major dealer in other illicitly manufactured pharmaceutical opioids including Fentanyl, followed.

He disclosed that packs of liquid Fentanyl were recovered from Odoh, different quantities of banned and controlled drugs including Fentanyl were seized from Uzoma. They include: ampules of Fentanyl Injection; Ozempic solution for injection in pre-filled pens; ampules of Sustanon 250mg/ml; ampules of Rivavirin injection 200mg/2ml; ampules of Erythropoietin injection; ampules of Recombinant Anti Rho-D Immunoglobulin injection 300MG; ampules of Pethidine 100mg/2ml solution for injection and Zoladex 3.6mg Goserelin.

Reacting to the arrest of members of the syndicate, Marwa commended all officers and men of the agency involved in the operation while directing them to intensify the crackdown on other members of the cartel who may have gone underground.

Marwa said: “We’ll no doubt hunt down every member of this criminal gang before they do further harm to our public health especially our youth population. In the meantime, I’ll like to thank our international partners for the huge confidence in us and their support and partnership for the benefit of humanity. In the same vein, I’ll urge parents and other stakeholders to be vigilant, alert and warn their young ones against attempting experimenting with this illicit substance.”

“The agency wishes to reiterate that exposure to this lethal opioid, which could come in different forms, as has been shown by the seizure, may result in pinpoint pupils, falling asleep or losing consciousness, slow and shallow breathing, choking or gurgling sounds, limp body, and pale, blue, or cold skin,” Marwa explained.

Fentanyl: NDLEA busts lethal drug syndicate, arrests members in Anambra

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Crime

Soldier Wife Arrested in Abuja vehicle theft case

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Soldier Wife Arrested in Abuja vehicle theft case

By: Zagazola Makama

A notorious female suspect, Blessing Yusuf, aged 29, was arrested on April 25, 2025, by operatives of the Scorpion Squad, following a successful investigation into a vehicle theft case.

Sources disclosed that Yusuf, a resident of Kwali Area Council and wife of a serving Nigerian Army soldier, L/CPL Yusuf Yunnusa, who was arrested on April 19, 2025, was tracked down through digital forensic intelligence after fleeing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) upon learning of her husband’s arrest.

Sources said during preliminary investigations, Yusuf confessed during interrogation that she had initiated the idea of stealing a vehicle to cover her medical expenses.

She admitted to ordering a set of Toyota Corolla keys online via Jumia and later using them to steal a car at the Federal Secretariat. While her husband moved the vehicle, she provided cover and distracted passersby. After the theft, they transported the stolen car to Kwali.

Both suspects are currently in custody undergoing further interrogation.

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FCT Police arrest woman for suspected child trafficking in Abuja as she claims she Purchase the Child from her father for N500K

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FCT Police arrest woman for suspected child trafficking in Abuja as she claims she Purchase the Child from her father for N500K

By; Zagazola Makama

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested a woman, Vera Onyebigwa, in connection with a suspected child trafficking case.

Police sources told Zagazola Makama that On April 25, 2025, at about 2:00 p.m., a distress call was received at G/Lada Division regarding a suspected child trafficking incident near the timber shed area.

The sources said Police operatives were quickly deployed to the scene, where they apprehended Onyebigwa, a resident of No. 38 Murtala Mohammed Way, Benin City, Edo State, who was found in possession of a 6-year-old female child, whose identity remains unknown.

According to the sources, Preliminary investigations revealed that Onyebigwa had allegedly purchased the child from her father for ₦500,000 and was planning to transport her to Benin City.

The child’s cries attracted the attention of a Good Samaritan, who immediately notified the police, leading to the child’s rescue.

The sources added that the child is currently in protective care, and an investigation into the matter is ongoing.

FCT Police arrest woman for suspected child trafficking in Abuja as she claims she Purchase the Child from her father for N500K

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Armed bandits attack village in Sokoto, three killed in gunfight

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Armed bandits attack village in Sokoto, three killed in gunfight

By: Zagazola Makama

Armed bandits attacked Illela-Baraya Village in Gwadabawa Local Government Area of Sokoto State on the night of April 25, 2025, killing three victims during a sporadic shooting.

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the bandits, in large numbers, launched the attack at about 2200hrs, fatally injuring the three victims.

A team of security operatives were swiftly deployed to the scene and engaged the bandits in a gun battle, forcing them to retreat without managing to rustle any livestock.

Despite the confrontation, the victims succumbed to their injuries and were confirmed dead on arrival at the hospital. Three empty shells of AK-47 ammunition were recovered at the scene.

The area was thoroughly combed by the troops and patrols were intensified.

Armed bandits attack village in Sokoto, three killed in gunfight

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