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Four Drug Lords Get 28 Years in Jail, Forfeit VGC Houses, Large Cash

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Four Drug Lords Get 28 Years in Jail, Forfeit VGC Houses, Large Cash

By: Michael Mike

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has gotten for drug kingpins arrested in connection with the historic seizure of 2,139.55 kilogrammes of cocaine at an Ikorodu residential estate in 2022.

They were convicted by a Federal High Court, Lagos presided over by Justice Yellim Bogoro who sentenced them to various jail terms totaling 28 years with hard labour.

The convicts: Soji Oke, 71; Wasiu Akinade, 55; Emmanuel Chukwu, 67; and Kelvin Christopher Smith, 44, a Jamaican, were charged with six counts in charge number: FHC/L/607C/2022 in October and December 2022, while the trial of the fifth suspect, Oguntolure Sunday arraigned along with them is still ongoing in court.

The charges border on conspiracy to form and operate a drug trafficking organisation (DTO); management and financing of a DTO; importation and possession of 2,139.55 kilogrammes of cocaine, among others.

A press statement on Thursday by the spokesman of the NDLEA, Femi Babafemi read: operatives of a special operations unit of NDLEA had in a well-coordinated and intelligence-led operation on Sunday 18th September, 2022 raided a house located at 6 Olukuola crescent, Solebo estate, Ikorodu, Lagos where the over 2.1 tons of cocaine were seized, the largest singular cocaine seizure in the history of Nigeria’s anti-narcotic operations.

He added that the drug kingpins were picked from hotels and their hideouts in different parts of Lagos between the night of Sunday 18th and Monday 19th September, 2022.

Babafemi said after over two years of diligent prosecution, the trial judge handed the Jamaican, Kelvin Smith four years imprisonment with hard labour; Emmanuel Chukwu got a total of 16 years; Soji Oke got five years with hard labour and Wasiu Akinade three years with hard labour.

He disclosed that the trial judge however gave the convicts varying options of fine with the exception of one of them who will serve his full jail term without an option of fine.

Babafemi said they were also to forfeit a grey colour Toyota Tacoma SUV marked AAA-734HT registered in the name of Emmanuel Chukwu; $50,000:00 belonging to Chukwu; N55,099,509.50 also belonging to Chukwu; the sum of N9,003,168.06 belonging to Wasiu Akinade and N3,052,295.20 also belonging to Akinade.

The spokesman said the agency also in another suit marked FHC/L/MISC/672/2024 and filed before Justice Bogoro on 9th December 2024 after an initial interim forfeiture order, secured the final forfeiture of two houses linked to members of the drug cartel.

The trial judge said: “That an Order of final forfeiture and confiscation is granted in favour of the Federal Government of Nigeria, Landed Property/House Number 6 Olokunola Street, Sholebo Estate, Ikorodu, Lagos State, as contained in Exhibit NDLEA 2A, 2B, and 2C attached to this application used for the storage and concealment of 2,139.55 kilogrammes (More Than Two Tons) Cocaine, an illicit substance similar to Heroin and LSD.

“That an Order of final forfeiture and confiscation is granted in favour of the Federal Government of Nigeria, Landed Property/House Number J9, Road 3, Close 1,
Victoria Garden City (VGC) Estate, Lagos, Lagos State, as contained in Exhibit NDLEA 3 attached to this application reasonably believed to be bought with proceeds derived
from trafficking in illicit drug substances (proceeds of crime) as in relief 1 of this Motion.

“That an Order is granted directing the sale or disposal by any other means provided by law of the forfeited House/Landed Property by the Applicant and the payment of the proceeds therefrom to the Federal Government of Nigeria.”

Meanwhile, the Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd) while commending all the officers and men of the agency involved in the extensive investigation and prosecution of members of the drug cartel, said the case is a historical blow to the drug cartels and a strong warning that they’ll not only go to jail but will equally lose all their investments in illicit drug consignments including all the properties and wealth acquired through the criminal trade.

Four Drug Lords Get 28 Years in Jail, Forfeit VGC Houses, Large Cash

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Crime

Troops of Operation Fansan Yanma neutralise three bandits in Katsina

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Troops of Operation Fansan Yanma neutralise three bandits in Katsina

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation Fansan Yanma have neutralised three suspected armed bandits during a gun battle in Sabuwa Local Government Area of Katsina State.

Military sources told Zagazola Makama the incident occurred on March 4 at about 4:14 p.m. when the bandits attacked a farmer, Alaramma Lawal Musa, 34, from Barkinshi Village, while he was on his way to his farm on the outskirts of the community.

The sources said the victim resisted the attack and managed to stab one of the assailants with a knife before the bandits inflicted serious machete cuts on him.

Troops stationed at Super Camp Machika were immediately alerted and swiftly mobilised to the scene. “On arrival, the troops intercepted the fleeing bandits and engaged them in a gun duel.

“During the exchange of fire, three of the suspected bandits were neutralised, while others escaped into nearby bushes,” the source said.

He added that troops recovered one Honda motorcycle believed to have been used by the bandits for their operations in the area.

The injured farmer was evacuated to the Comprehensive Hospital in Dandume for medical attention and was reported to be responding to treatment.

Security operatives have since intensified patrol and surveillance in the area to track down other fleeing members of the gang.

Operation Fansan Yanma has sustained military offensive against banditry and other criminal activities across the North-West region.

Troops of Operation Fansan Yanma neutralise three bandits in Katsina

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Crime

Police foil abduction in Kano, one killed

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Police foil abduction in Kano, one killed

By: Zagazola Makama

Security operatives have foiled an abduction attempt in Rantan Village, Bebeji Local Government Area of Kano State, rescuing two victims, while one person lost his life during the incident.

Security sources told Zagazola that the attack occurred at about 11:30 p.m. on March 2, following a distress call from a resident.

According to the source, about 15 armed hoodlums invaded the residence of one Fulani Bakwai and abducted him alongside his neighbour, Mohd Bello.

“In the course of the attack, the assailants shot Musa Mohd Bello, 25, on the left leg when he attempted to resist,” the source said.

Operatives, in collaboration with local vigilante members, swiftly mobilised to the scene and pursued the suspects.

The joint team successfully rescued the abducted victims as the suspects fled into nearby bushes.

The injured victim was rushed to Tiga General Hospital for medical attention but was later certified dead.

His remains were subsequently released to his family for burial.

Authorities said normalcy had been restored in the area, while efforts were being intensified to track down and arrest the fleeing suspects.

Investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Police foil abduction in Kano, one killed

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Crime

Two additional ISWAP prominent Qaids neutralised in Sambisa air strikes

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Two additional ISWAP prominent Qaids neutralised in Sambisa air strikes

By: Zagazola Makama

Two additional prominent qaids of the ISWAP have been confirmed neutralised in the recent precision air strikes conducted at Yuwe in the Sambisa general area of Borno.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the two senior terrorist leaders killed in the strikes are Ali G3, identified as the qaid in charge of Yuwe, and Abdullahi Muga, also a qaid within the group’s command structure.

Their deaths come after initial reports confirmed the neutralisation of other key figures, including Saddam and Saleh Garin Kago, both described as senior commanders, as well as Hussaini Ubaida and Ba Alayi Benbem.

The air interdiction mission was carried out by the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI at about 6:08 a.m. on Friday following confirmatory Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) on structures identified as terrorist command hideouts and logistics warehouses within the Yuwe axis.

“Upon confirmation of the targets, the aircraft acquired and engaged the selected objectives with precision-guided munitions,” a source said.

Post-strike battle damage assessment indicated that the identified command hubs and logistics facilities were effectively destroyed, significantly degrading the operational capacity of the terrorists in the Sambisa corridor.

The sources added that the earlier-mentioned commanders have also been confirmed dead, while efforts are underway to obtain the identities of other prominent qaids and ISWAP commanders believed to have been neutralised during the operation.

Military authorities reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining intelligence-driven operations aimed at dismantling terrorist leadership structures and consolidating recent gains in the North-East.

Two additional ISWAP prominent Qaids neutralised in Sambisa air strikes

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