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India-bound Passenger Vomits, Excretes 80 Wraps of Ingested Cocaine
India-bound Passenger Vomits, Excretes 80 Wraps of Ingested Cocaine
By: Michael Mike
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have arrested a Delhi, India-bound passenger, Freeman Ogbonna at the screening point of terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos for ingesting 80 wraps of cocaine.
According to a statement on Sunday by the spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi, Ogbonna was arrested on 31st March while attempting to board a 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, and preliminary checks revealed his real identity as Freeman Ogbonna and was subsequently placed under observation in NDLEA custody where he started to manifest signs of discomfort.
Babafemi said that Ogbonna obviously choked by the volume of illicit drugs in his stomach and another substance taken to hold back excretion, he soon began to retch before starting to vomit and excrete wraps of cocaine he ingested almost simultaneously.
He said 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 grammes through his mouth and anus over a period of four days.
Ogbonna was said to have claimed that he was given the drugs to swallow at a hotel in Ipodo area of Ikeja with a promise of N300,000 cash reward on successful delivery.
Babafemi said NDLEA officers at the Lagos airport had last Wednesday intercepted a drug mule, Imran Olalekan at Gate C departure of terminal 1 travelling to Oman with a check-in luggage and a backpack. When his check-in bag and backpack were subjected to thorough search, the operatives discovered a false bottom concealment of drugs in the check-in luggage and in the walls of the backpack.
The NDLEA officers swiftly moved in on a man who accompanied the suspect to the airport. He was later identified as Ishola Olalekan who recruited the trafficker.
Imran Olalekan told NDLEA officers he returned from Dubai some years ago but still has a valid residence permit on his old passport. He claimed he was promised N1.5 million if he successfully delivers the consignment in Oman, while his recruiter, Ishola was to be paid N200,000.
Babafemi said when the two bags were completely unpacked at the NDLEA office, a charm was found in one of the bags while another one was found on the drug mule who confessed that he traveled to Ibadan, Oyo state to meet with an ‘Alfa’ that prepared the charm for him to ensure he was not caught during the trip.
He also said another charm was found on the intermediary, Ishola Olalekan who accompanied Taofeek to the departure area of the airport. Ishola claimed he procured the charms for the sum of N70,000.
At the Tincan seaport in Lagos, NDLEA operatives also last Wednesday intercepted 2,144 parcels of Colorado, a synthetic strain of cannabis weighing 1,072 kilogrammes. The seizure was made during a joint examination with Customs Service and other stakeholders of a container marked GAOU 6699215 coming from Montreal, but originated from Toronto, Canada.
He said the drugs packed in 46 jumbo bags were found concealed in used 2009 Lexus RX 350, 2011 Toyota Sienna, and 2009 Lexus ES 350 as well as used engines, automobile doors, tyres, and used household goods as well as big drums loaded into the container.
In Kano, a 48-year-old suspect, Gidado Sani who jumped the bail granted him by a Federal High Court in Kano on drug offence charges, was last Friday re-arrested in Sharada area of the state with 85 blocks of cannabis weighing 50.1 kilogrammes, while NDLEA operatives in Ogun state last Thursday arrested another suspect Wasiu Jimoh, during a raid operation at Ilese Awo, with 84 parcels (62 kilogrammes) of cannabis sativa.
Operatives in Lagos last Wednesday intercepted a suspect, Emeka Umeh with 506.2 kilogrammes cannabis at Igbede, Ojo area of the state, while another suspect, Victor Okeke was nabbed last Friday at Igbo Elerin, Ojo, with 142 grammes of cannabis sativa and 175 litres of skuchies recovered from him, also an attempt by 35-year-old Ifeanyi Udogwu to smuggle 1.5 kilogrammes cocaine concealed in music speakers from Lagos through Aba, Abia state to his uncle, Ifeanyi Udogwu based in Cameroon was thwarted last Wednesday when NDLEA officers working in collaboration with transport company, Young Shall Grow Motors, arrested him.
Meanwhile, the commands across the country balanced their drug supply reduction operations with War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy campaigns to schools, markets, motor parks, worship centres and communities.
While commending the efforts of the MMIA, Tincan, Ogun, Kano and Lagos Commands of the Agency, for jobs well done in the past week, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Retd) urged them and their compatriots across the country to remain vigilant and intensify their offensive action against drug cartels and their WADA advocacy campaign in every community nationwide.
India-bound Passenger Vomits, Excretes 80 Wraps of Ingested Cocaine
MAN OF THE YEAR Award By THISDAY Newspapers/ARISE Media Group
CELEBRATING PRESIDENT BOLA TINUBU
The President/Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Bola Tinubu, has been announced “MAN OF THE YEAR” by THISDAY Newspapers and ARISE News Board of Editors.
The prestigious recognition reaffirmed Mr. President’s exemplary leadership, visionary thinking, and unwavering commitment to transforming the country amid mounting economic and security challenges.
The awards organisers also noted that the President has marched on with courage and determination to change Nigeria for the better, and proven to be a leader who is driven more by convictions and taken decisions which are in the best interest of the nation.
To commemorate this milestone, THISDAY is unveiling a Special Edition on Monday, January 27, 2025, to afford the President’s
aides, friends, well-wishers, and associates the opportunity to share in the joy and pride that the award brings to Mr. President through placement of Congratulatory/Goodwill messages to honour the awardee among other award recipients.
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MAN OF THE YEAR Award By THISDAY Newspapers/ARISE Media Group
Nigeria Commiserates with Türkiye Over Devastating Fire Incident
By: Michael Mike
Nigerian government has commiserated with the government and people of Türkiye over the fire incident at the Grand Kartal Hotel in the Kartalkaya Ski Resort that resulted in the death of 66 persons injured over 50 others.
The condolence message was contained in a statement signed by the acting spokesperson of the federal ministry of foreign affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa.
The statement read: “The Federal Republic of Nigeria wishes to express deep condolence to the Government and People of the Republic of Turkiye over the unfortunate fire incident at the Grand Kartal Hotel in the Kartalkaya Ski Resort.
“The fire, which claimed the lives of 66 persons and injured over 50 others in Bolu Province in Northwestern Turkiye, was reported to have started in the early hours of Tuesday 21st January 2025.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria sympathizes with the Government of the Republic of Turkiye and the families of the victims of the fire incident, and also wishes a speedy recovery of the injured.”
Nigeria Commiserates with Türkiye Over Devastating Fire Incident
Yobe’s Commitment To Agric. Development very Impressive -Islamic Development Bank
By: Mamman Mohammed
The Islamic Development Bank has expressed satisfaction with the preparedness of Yobe state government to partner the bank for an agricultural project.
Mr. Javed khan, Senior Agriculture Specialist of the Bank stated this at a courtesy call on Governor Mai Mala Buni CON, at the Government House, Damaturu.
Khan said the commitment of Yobe state government to meeting its obligations is quite impressive and encouraging.
Khan who led a team from the bank on assessment tour of the state to see for itself the documents developed and the preparations on ground for the project, said the team was convinced with government’s committment to the project.
“We were initially discouraged not to come to Yobe state citing insecurity but, we insisted on coming and are impressed with the peace and security, and the government’s commitment to the project.
“We are working towards a target in the next three months for the state to obtain approval from the bank for the project.
“The working synergy between our team and your team suggests that we will achieve our target within the stipulated time frame” Khan said.
Responding, Governor Buni commended the Bank for not listening to the enemies of progress of the state.
“l am glad you did not listen to them, some of whom have never been anywhere close to Yobe state but giving stories about what they don’t know.
“You are now here and you have seen things for yourselves and can tell the story better. We are ready for this partnership using agriculture to drive the economy of our state and the people.
“All the 17 local government areas in the state are now accessible and the people can access their farms and make this proposed project successful” Buni said.
The Governor explained the importance of agriculture to the people, adding “this project would guarantee food security and economic prosperity in our post insurgency recovery programme.
“The resilience exhibited by our people in embracing agriculture being their major preoccupation to rebuild their lives after the protracted insecurity is very encouraging and need to be supported” he said.
The Governor re-ephasized the readiness of his administration to partner the bank to make agricultural development in the state a huge success story.
Yobe’s Commitment To Agric. Development very Impressive -Islamic Development Bank
MAN OF THE YEAR Award By THISDAY Newspapers/ARISE Media Group
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Nigeria Commiserates with Türkiye Over Devastating Fire Incident
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