Crime
India-bound drug trafficker bags 25 years imprisonment
India-bound drug trafficker bags 25 years imprisonment
By: Michael Mike
A Federal High Court in Lagos has sentenced Freeman Charles Ogbonna, to 25 years imprisonment for drug trafficking.
Ogbonna was sentenced three months after vomiting and excreting 80 wraps of cocaine following his arrest by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), at the screening point of terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
He was arrested on Sunday 31st March while attempting to board his flight to Delhi, India via Doha on Qatar Airways, with a Liberian international passport, bearing the name: Carr Bismark. He was taken for body scan, which tested positive for ingestion of illicit drugs.
Preliminary checks revealed his real identity as Freeman Charles Ogbonna and was subsequently placed under observation in NDLEA custody where he started to manifest signs of discomfort. Obviously choked by the volume of illicit drugs in his stomach and another substance taken to hold back excretion, the suspect soon began to retch before starting to vomit and excrete wraps of cocaine he ingested almost simultaneously.
The suspect who claimed he was recruited into drug trafficking by one of his relatives eventually passed out a total of 80 wraps of cocaine weighing 889 grams through his mouth and anus over a period of four days.
Ogbonna said he was given the drugs to swallow at a hotel in Ipodo area of Ikeja with a promise to reward him with N300,000 cash if he successfully delivers the consignment in India.
He was subsequently arraigned before Justice Dipeolu Isaac of the Federal High Court, Lagos in charge number FHCL/378/2024 for committing an offence contrary to section 20(1)(b) and punishable under section 20(2)(a) of the NDLEA Act Cap N30 LFN 2004.
Delivering his judgement on the case on Monday, Justice Dipeolu sentenced Ogbonna to 25 years in prison without an option of fine.
Reacting to the outcome of the case, Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig Gen Buba Marwa (Rtd) commended the MMIA Command and the prosecution team for a fast and diligent handling of the case, adding that the judiciary remains a strong pillar in the coordinated and concerted effort to curb the scourge of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in Nigeria.
He said Ogbonna’s conviction will further send a strong signal to his ilk that there will be no hiding place for drug barons and their mules.
India-bound drug trafficker bags 25 years imprisonment
Gunmen abduct pastor, two others on farm in Kajuru LGA
By: Zagazola Makama
Gunmen suspected to be bandits have abducted three persons, including a clergyman, at Bauda Village in Maro Community, Kajuru Local Government Area.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the victims, Rev. Anthony Lamba, 50, of ECWA Church Bauda Village, Christiana Anthony, and Danlami Zana, were seized while working on their farm on Friday afternoon.
Security forces were immediately mobilised to the scene, but the kidnappers had already fled with the victims to an unknown destination.
Efforts had been intensified to rescue the victims unhurt, while investigation into the incident is ongoing.
End
Troops neutralise three terrorist kingpins in Sokoto ambush
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA (OPFY) have neutralised three notorious terrorist kingpins during a successful ambush operation in Sabon Birni Local Government Area (LGA) of Sokoto State.
Zagazola Makama report that the operation was conducted on July 25 between Mallamawa and Mazau villages in the Tsamaye/Mai Lalle District of the LGA.
During the operation, the troops neutralised the terrorists identified as Kachalla Nagomma, Gurmu and Ali Yar Daribiyar, and recovered three AK-47 rifles with magazines and a motorcycle.
Sources told Zagazola that the terrorists and their foot soldiers were in the area to collect ransom and illegal levies imposed on residents when they were ambushed by the troops.
The source said the operation has triggered widespread relief and jubilation among residents of Mai Lalle, Tsamaye, Rimaye and nearby communities across Sabon Birni and Goronyo LGAs.
“These terrorists have long tormented the communities with killings, kidnappings and extortion, so this success is a huge morale boost for the people,” the source added.
The troops have continued to intensify kinetic and non-kinetic efforts in synergy with other security agencies and local vigilante groups.
The military has urged members of the public to continue providing credible and timely information to assist the troops in sustaining momentum against criminal elements.
Troops neutralise three terrorist kingpins in Sokoto ambush
Two hunters killed, four injured in armed bandits’ ambush in Niger
By: Zagazola Makama
Armed bandits suspected to be insurgents have killed two Hunters, operating under a local security outfit, and injured four others in a deadly ambush in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.
Zagazola Makama was reliably informed that the incident occurred on July 24 at about 4:00 p.m. when the security team was on a routine patrol around Iburo village, located within the Galadiman-Kogo District.
The armed assailants, numbering in their dozens, opened fire on the patrol team, leading to a fierce exchange of gunfire.
Two members of the Hunters, identified as Jafaru Baba Ali and Baba Ustaz, both male, died in the attack, while four others sustained varying degrees of gunshot injuries.
The injured personnel were evacuated and are currently receiving treatment at the IBB Specialist Hospital in Minna, where medical officials confirmed they are responding positively.
Security sources said the bandits also suffered casualties during the shootout but managed to retreat into the forest.
Two hunters killed, four injured in armed bandits’ ambush in Niger
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