Crime
Fentanyl: NDLEA busts lethal drug syndicate, arrests members in Anambra
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
Police arrest man for allegedly hacking father to death with axe in Benue
By Zagazola Makama
Operatives of the Benue State Police Command have arrested a man for allegedly hacking his father to death with an axe following a family dispute in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of the state.
Police sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident was reported at about 8:00 a.m. on July 25 by the Clan Head of Turan-Tse Twar, Injorov Tongov, Zaki Akor Kpan.
According to the report, the tragic incident occurred at about 2:00 p.m. on July 24 after the suspect, identified as Terfa Nyikwagh, engaged in a heated argument with his father, Mr. Nyikwagh Abor, over the death of his brother, Ternenge Uwuh.
The sources said the disagreement escalated, during which the suspect allegedly attacked his father with an axe, inflicting fatal injuries.
Upon receiving the report, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Katsina-Ala led a patrol team to the scene, where the suspect was arrested without resistance.
The body of the deceased was evacuated and deposited at the Gondozua Hospital Mortuary for a post-mortem examination.
The suspect remains in police custody, while investigations are ongoing to determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident before prosecution.
Police arrest man for allegedly hacking father to death with axe in Benue
Troops foil kidnap attempt, rescue gunshot victim in Kaduna
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 7 of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP), have foiled a kidnap attempt and rescued a victim in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the troops responded at about 5:50 p.m. on July 26 to a distress call reporting a kidnapping incident in Ikulu, Gora general area.
The sources said the troops swiftly mobilised to the scene, forcing the kidnappers to abandon their victim and flee.
The rescued victim, who sustained gunshot wounds during the incident, was evacuated for medical attention before being reunited with his family.
Security forces have intensified efforts to track down the fleeing suspects, while operations continue to deny criminal elements freedom of action across the area.
Troops foil kidnap attempt, rescue gunshot victim in Kaduna
Crime
Air Component OPHK Neutralises Terrorists in Precision Night Strike on ISWAP Hideout in Southern Lake Chad
Air Component OPHK Neutralises Terrorists in Precision Night Strike on ISWAP Hideout in Southern Lake Chad
By Zagazola Makama
The Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) has carried out a successful precision airstrike against an Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) hideout in the Southern Lake Chad region, neutralising several terrorists during a late-night operation supported by intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) assets.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the mission was launched after persistent ISR tracking identified significant terrorist activity around Arenna, in Marte Local Government Area
of Borno state.
The operation, executed by the ISR platform, commenced at about 10:35 p.m. on July 23, following an intelligence report indicating the presence of about 50 motorcycles belonging to terrorists moving within the general area.
According to operational feedback, the aircraft established overhead surveillance before conducting a precision strike on a building confirmed to be serving as a terrorist hideout.
Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) conducted immediately after the strike confirmed that all terrorists inside the targeted structure were neutralised, while three additional fighters outside the building were also killed.
The assessment further revealed that three other terrorists within the strike area were seen fleeing the scene, suggesting they sustained the shock of the attack and were attempting to escape.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the aircraft remained overhead after the initial strike to conduct further surveillance and, if necessary, engage fleeing terrorists with follow-up strikes.
“The operation was intelligence-driven and executed with precision. The initial assessment indicates that the objective was successfully achieved, while surveillance continued to ensure that any surviving terrorists attempting to regroup or escape could be engaged,” the officer said.
The successful strike is part of the ongoing air interdiction campaign by the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI aimed at dismantling ISWAP and Boko Haram enclaves, disrupting their mobility, and denying them freedom of action across the Lake Chad theatre.
Air Component OPHK Neutralises Terrorists in Precision Night Strike on ISWAP Hideout in Southern Lake Chad
Police arrest man for allegedly hacking father to death with axe in Benue
Netherlands Donates Equipment to Boost Nigeria Immigration’s Hostmanship Programme
Notorious bandit commander Iliya Mai Rasha killed in Guga battle as death toll among attackers rises
Roger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
FAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
News2 years agoRoger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
-
Opinions4 years ago
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
-
News1 year agoFAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
News2 years agoEYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
Opinions5 years agoPOLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
ACADEMICS2 years agoA History of Biu” (2015) and The Lingering Bura-Pabir Question (1)
-
Columns2 years agoArmy University Biu: There is certain interest, but certainly not from Borno.
-
Politics1 year ago2027: Why Hon. Midala Balami Must Go, as Youths in Hawul and Asikira/Uba Federal Constituency Reject ₦500,000 as Sallah Gift
