Crime
Four drug kingpins bag 95 years in jail, forfeit jeeps, others

Four drug kingpins bag 95 years in jail, forfeit jeeps, others
By: Michael Mike
Four drug kingpins: Ogbuji Ifeanyi; Iloduba Chinonye; Shuaibu Isa (a.k.a Don) and Zidon Zurga have been convicted and sentenced to a total of 95 years in prison by the Federal High Court in Lagos and Yola, Adamawa state over trafficking of cocaine and skunk worth over N4.6 billion.
Ogbuji was intercepted by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos on 18th September 2024 during an inward clearance of Ethiopian Airlines flight passengers from Addis Ababa to Lagos for importing 817 wraps of cocaine weighing 19.4 kilogrammes with an estimated street value of N47 billion.

That was barely 16 months after the 48-year-old businessman was arrested and convicted for ingesting 93 pellets of cocaine. He was first arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on 10th May 2023 upon arrival from Uganda via Addis Ababa, onboard Ethiopian Airlines flight ET 951 for ingesting 93 pellets of cocaine with a gross weight of 1.986 kilogrammes. He was subsequently arraigned before Federal High Court 12 Abuja presided over by Hon. Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon in charge no: FHC/ABJ/CR/192/2023 and convicted on 13th July 2023.
Ogbuji was sentenced to two years imprisonment with an option of paying a fine of N3 million which he paid and was set free, but not done with crime, Ogbuji was again arrested at the Lagos airport with the large consignment of cocaine on 18th September 2024, after which he was arraigned before Justice Yellim Bogoro of the Federal High Court Lagos in charge number: FHC/L/845C on 16th January 2025.
He was eventually sentenced on 28th February to five years imprisonment on count one with an option of N7 million fine and 10 years imprisonment on count two without an option of fine. In the event that he failed to pay the N7million fine, the judge ruled that the convict will serve a total of 15 years in jail consecutively. The court ordered the forfeiture of monetary exhibits and other items found on him at the time of his arrest.
In his own case, 51-year-old Iludoba was arrested by NDLEA operatives on new year eve, 31st December 2021 at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, for cocaine trafficking. He was found to have ingested 58 wraps of the illicit drug, 48 of which he excreted on transit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia while he expelled the balance of 10 in NDLEA custody after his arrest on 1st January 2022. He was thereafter arraigned on two counts in charge number FHC/EN/CR/18/2022 before Justice Folashade Giwa Ogunbanjo of the Federal High Court, Enugu.
After three years of diligent prosecution, Iludoba was convicted and sentenced to five years imprisonment on each count, bringing his total years in jail to 10 years, which will run concurrently from the date of his conviction, Wednesday 5th March 2025.
In the case of Shuaibu Nuhu Isa (a.k.a Don), 55, and Zidon Zurga, 50, they were arrested by NDLEA operatives on 25th November 2024 along Numan- Yola road with 500.800kg skunk, a strain of cannabis, concealed in a pilot Toyota Hilux vehicle marked Lagos NT 829 AAA and a Prado SUV with a fake presidency number plate 01B-266 FG.
They were later arraigned before Justice Bala Usman in charge number: FHC/YL/150 /2024 and convicted on 7th February 2025 to 35 years imprisonment each on two counts, bringing the combined years in jail for both of them to 70 years or pay a fine of N25 million each. The court also ordered the interim forfeiture of the two jeeps used in trafficking the illicit drug consignment.
Reacting to the conviction of the trio, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) commended the trial courts, the teams of officers who investigated and prosecuted the three cases at the MMIA Strategic Command in Lagos, Akanu Ibiam International Airport Special Area Command, Enugu and the Adamawa State Command for their diligence and professionalism. He said “the conviction and the forfeiture of the convicts’ instruments of crime will further strengthen the deterrent effect of our ongoing effort to totally dismantle every drug network in the country.”
Four drug kingpins bag 95 years in jail, forfeit jeeps, others
Crime
Man rapes, kills mentally ill woman in Kano

Man rapes, kills mentally ill woman in Kano
By: Zagazola Makama
The Kano State Police Command has arrested a 30-year-old man, Usaini Usaini, for allegedly raping and killing a mentally ill woman in Kwasangwami village, Gezawa Local Government Area of the state.
Police sources in Kano told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred on Wednesday at about 12:30 p.m. when the suspect allegedly trespassed into the residence of one Abdullahi Idris, 50, and attacked his 30-year-old daughter, Abula Idris, who was said to be mentally ill.
“The suspect forcefully had unlawful carnal knowledge of the victim who later died as a result of the assault,” said the sources.
He said the village head of Kwasangwami reported the case to the police, and officers promptly visited the scene and evacuated the victim to Sir Sanusi General Hospital, where she was confirmed dead.
Usaini was immediately arrested and taken into custody, while the case is under investigation.
The police assured members of the public that justice would be served.
Man rapes, kills mentally ill woman in Kano
Crime
Shock in Enugu as mother allegedly murders two children in suspected mental breakdown

Shock in Enugu as mother allegedly murders two children in suspected mental breakdown
By: Zagazola Makama
The quiet morning calm of Unity Road in Trans Ekulu, Enugu, was shattered on Monday when neighbours made a harrowing discovery: two children, a four-year-old girl and her three-month-old baby brother, were found dead in their home, allegedly murdered by their own mother.
Zagazola report that the suspect, identified as Chidima Arinze, reportedly committed the act at her residence, No. 47 Unity Road, in what police sources describe as one of the most disturbing domestic incidents in recent memory.
According to a Police sources, the tragic event unfolded on July 21 at about 9:00 a.m. when the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Trans Ekulu received a distress call. Officers were immediately dispatched to the scene.
On arrival, the operatives met the lifeless bodies of Esther Arinze, aged 4, and Chibusoma Arinze, aged 3 months. Both victims reportedly bore marks of violence, suspected to have been inflicted with a sharp object. The scene was cordoned off, and forensic photographs were taken before the suspect was taken into custody.
The children’s remains were evacuated to the Enugu State University Teaching Hospital (ESUT), Parklane, where they were certified dead by a medical officer. Their bodies have since been deposited at the hospital morgue for preservation and autopsy.
The suspect, their mother, was arrested at the scene without resistance. Preliminary investigation is currently ongoing at the Trans Ekulu Division, while the case is being prepared for transfer to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for a more discreet and comprehensive probe.
While police have not disclosed a motive, early speculation from community members points to a possible case of postpartum mental health crisis, though this remains unconfirmed.
“This is not something we’ve seen before in our area,” said one resident, who asked not to be named. “She was quiet, kept to herself. No one suspected she was struggling with anything.”
The Enugu State Police Command assured the public that justice would be pursued with thoroughness and sensitivity.
“We understand the emotional weight of this case,” a senior police official said. “Investigators are looking at every angle, including psychological evaluation of the suspect.”
Meanwhile, the Trans Ekulu community remains in mourning, stunned by a crime that unfolded behind closed doors in one of its homes.
“We are devastated,” said a neighbour. “Two innocent lives gone, and a mother behind bars. No one wins in this situation.”
Shock in Enugu as mother allegedly murders two children in suspected mental breakdown
Crime
NDLEA Arrests Wanted Drug Baron on the Run for 7 Years

NDLEA Arrests Wanted Drug Baron on the Run for 7 Years
By: Michael Mike
Operatives of a special operations unit of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a wanted 60-year-old alleged drug kingpin, Okpara Chigozie, who had been on the run for seven years.
A statement by the spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi said Okpara was caught attempting to ship large quantities of cocaine and methamphetamine to the Southeast and other parts of the country.


He disclosed that Okpara has been on the wanted list of NDLEA since 2019 and was eventually nabbed at his hideout at 72 Micheal Ojo Street, Isheri in Ojo area of Lagos state on Sunday 13th July 2025 following the interception of some of his consignments at 5:45am same day at Ilasamaja along Apapa-Oshodi expressway.
Babafemi said in the early morning operation, a team of NDLEA officers acting on credible intelligence arrested one of Okpara’s couriers, 51-year-old Achebe Nnamdi while heading to Onitsha, Anambra state in a white Toyota Sienna vehicle.
He said the agency’s sniffer dogs were subsequently brought in to search the vehicle after which 7.6 kilogrammes of cocaine and 900 grammes of methamphetamine were found hidden in body compartments of the space bus, adding that a follow up operation was promptly carried out at Okpara’s hideout in Isheri where additional 1.8 kilogrammes cocaine and 1.3 kilogrammes methamphetamine were recovered from his residence.
Babafemi said at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Ikeja Lagos, NDLEA operatives in a joint operation with Aviation Security personnel of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) last Wednesday recovered 7,790 pills of tramadol and rohypnol from the luggage of an Italy-bound passenger, Omoregie Nice Uyiosa. The suspect who was going to Italy via Istanbul on Turkish Airlines flight claimed he purchased the drugs himself, hoping to sell them in Italy at higher prices.

In another arrest at the Lagos airport, NDLEA operatives at the export shed last Thursday intercepted 17 parcels of skunk, a strain of cannabis, weighing 1.7 kilogrammes concealed in packs of popular cereal, Golden Morn, going to Pakistan as part of a consolidated cargo. A suspect, Chioba Uchenna who presented the consignment for shipment was arrested.
In Lagos, NDLEA operatives on Saturday raided Sarah Sam Hotels located at 115 Ogudu road in Kosofe where different party drugs are being distributed and sold. The raid followed credible intelligence and surveillance which confirmed a suspect Obayemi Oyetade as the arrowhead of the drug network.
Babafemi said at the time of the operation, 1.3 kilogrammes Chocolate Cannabis, 900 grammes of gummies and 22.9 grammes of skunk were recovered from Obayemi’s room in the hotel, which is a 20-room facility run as a family business, housing his mother and siblings. Other items recovered from the hotel include three vehicles.
He said three suspects: Onyeka Madu, Monday Nwadishi and Emmanuel Madu were on Saturday arrested during an intelligence-led raid at Narayi High Cost area of Chikun local government area, Kaduna State, where 742.866 kilogrammes of skunk, and Colorado, a synthetic strain of cannabis were seized from them. In Kano, Lawan Rabiu was nabbed with 36,000 pills of tramadol along Danbatta-Kazaure road, last Wednesday.
He said while a total of 25,000 pills of tramadol and exol-5 were recovered from a suspect Aliyu Abubakar, at Gombe roundabout last Friday, the duo of Mohammed Adamu and Furaira Idris were arrested same day with 49 blocks of compressed skunk that weighed 29 C180 at Kwadom, Yemaltu Deba local government area, Gombe state.
In Borno, NDLEA officers on patrol along Baga road, Maiduguri, on Saturday intercepted 74,360 pills of opioids in a Mercedes Benz C180 car marked GUB 409 AA and arrested Audu Modu, 44, in connection with the seizure, while in Bayelsa state, a 63-year-old grandma Akuna Nelson was last Thursday arrested at Osiri area of Yenagoa in connection with the seizure of 163 litres of skuchies.
He said four suspects: Ikechukwu Abugu, 42; Sunday Ani, 18; Chukwu Christian, 46; and Emmanuel Olisakwe, 55, were last Thursday arrested by NDLEA operatives along Okene-Lokoja highway, Kogi state in connection with the seizure of 2 kilogrammes methamphetamine recovered during a search of their vehicle coming from Onitsha, Anambra state to Minna, Niger state.
In Abia state, NDLEA officers last Monday raided the base of a notorious drug dealer, Nduka Obi, 39, at 4 Niger street, Ugwa road, Aba, where various quantities of tramadol, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and a total of N736,000 monetary exhibit were recovered from him.
While a total of 45,000 pills of tramadol were seized from a suspect Chisom Okpalaeke, 30, by NDLEA operatives on patrol along Onitsha – Enugu expressway, Enugu state last Wednesday, officers of the Taraba state command of the agency same day apprehended the duo of Ngwokwoka Thomas, 44, and Mohammed Audu, 44 with 10,000 caps of tramadol and a gramme of cannabis at Dan Anacha, Gassol local government area.
The spokesman said the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) social advocacy activities by NDLEA commands equally continued across the country in the past week.
Meanwhile, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd), while commending the officers and men of MMIA, SOU, Lagos, Kaduna, Osun, Bayelsa, Gombe, Borno, Abia, Kogi, Enugu, and Taraba commands of the agency for the arrests and seizures of the past week, also praised their counterparts in all the commands across the country for intensifying a fair balance between their drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts.
NDLEA Arrests Wanted Drug Baron on the Run for 7 Years
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