Crime
Large Quantities of Cocaine in Teabags Seized at Abuja, Lagos Airports
Large Quantities of Cocaine in Teabags Seized at Abuja, Lagos Airports
By: Michael Mike
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have thwarted plans of drug traffickers to smuggle large quantities of cocaine in teabags into the country through Lagos and Abuja international airports.
A statement on Sunday by the spokesman of NDLEA, Femi Babafemi said fresh attempts by Brazil based drug cartels to smuggle substantial quantities of cocaine into the country through the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja and Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos by concealing the Class-A illicit substance in teabags have again been thwarted.
He said at least, four traffickers involved in the attempts to import and export illicit drugs through the country in the last week are now in the custody of the anti-narcotics agency.
He disclosed that one of the traffickers is 33-year-old Pascal Ekene Okolo, who was arrested during an inward clearance of Qatar Airways flight from Sao Paulo via Doha at the arrival hall of the Abuja International Airport on Sunday 17th April.
He said Okolo who claimed to be into wine business in Brazil was arrested with a travelling bag containing different medicinal teabags, which were used to conceal 4.1 kilogrammes of cocaine.
He also disclosed that on the same day, a Canada based Nigerian, Anigo Godspower was intercepted at the D-Arrival Hall of the Lagos International Airport during an inward clearance of passengers on Qatar Airways from Sao Paolo via Doha to Lagos, noting that when his luggage was searched, two blocks of cocaine with a total weight of 2.1 kilogrammes were discovered.
He said the 52-year-old Anigo claimed he operated an unregistered Bureau De Change business before delving into the illicit drug trade.
Babafemi said the bid by another cartel to export 950 grammes of heroin concealed in the soles of lady’s footwears through the MMIA cargo shed was equally foiled by anti-narcotics officers who have so far arrested two suspects linked to the crime.
He disclosed that those arrested between 16th and 17th April in connection with attempt to export the drug to Monrovia, Liberia include: Idokoja Chukwurah and Patrick Tochukwu.
He said NDLEA operatives in raids in Kano, Kaduna, Benue and Akwa Ibom state seized no less than 88,734 doses of tramadol, pentazocine, diazepam and swinol. In Kano, Aliyu Usman, 28, was arrested at Railway area of the state capital with 47,000 capsules of tramadol and 2,000 ampules of pentazocine injection on Tuesday 19th April while Saminu Usman, 28, was nabbed with 24,710 tramadol tablets at Gadar Tamburawa area of Kano two days earlier.
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He also said in Benue, another dealer, Emeka Eze was arrested at an NDLEA checkpoint at Adikpo, Kwande local government area of the state with 10,000 tramadol capsules and 900 tablets of swinol, while in Kaduna state, the duo of Raphael Daniel and David Musa were arrested at Mando park, Kaduna with 1 kilogramme of cocaine last Thursday.
He added that a week after Muhammad Ibrahim sent 12.1 kilogrammes of cannabis from Lagos to Kaduna, operatives were able to trace and arrest him last Thursday and brought him to Kaduna after his consignment was intercepted. Another dealer, Kamilu Ibrahim was also arrested same day at Kargi village in Kubau local government area, Kaduna State with 10.6 kilogrammes cannabis sativa, while Bashir Ibrahim was arrested last Friday after his four consignments containing cannabis sativa weighing 44.6 kilogrammes were intercepted three days earlier along Abuja-Kaduna express road.
In Akwa Ibom state, operatives arrested two female drug dealers: Eno-Obong Edet, 36, and Hossana Ukpong, 28, with various quantities of rohypnol, diazepam, tramadol and cannabis, while a suspected fake security agent was arrested on Saturday in Abuja while moving 23.8 kilogrammes cannabis from Lagos to Maiduguri, Borno state.
Meanwhile, Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Retd) apparent pleased with the development, commended the officers and men of the NAIA, MMIA, Kano, Kaduna, Akwa Ibom and FCT Commands of the agency for sustaining the heat on drug cartels.
He however charged them and those in other commands across the country to remain vigilant and on the offensive until the last gramme of illicit drugs is taken off the street.
Large Quantities of Cocaine in Teabags Seized at Abuja, Lagos Airports
Troops crush ISWAP terrorists after deadly attack on Darajamal community in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Residents of Darajamal village in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State are still reeling from a bloody attack launched by Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists, even as combined troops of Operation Hadin Kai responded swiftly to neutralise the perpetrators.
Zagazola Makama reports that the incident occurred on Friday night when the terrorists stormed the remote community, unleashing violence that claimed the lives of several villagers.
Witnesses said the attackers invaded the community and opened fire indiscriminately, causing panic among residents who fled into nearby bushes for safety.
A security source told Zagazola Makama that troops of Operation Hadin Kai, supported by the Air Component, immediately mobilised after receiving distress calls from the area.
“Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft were deployed and tracked the terrorists as they attempted to flee northwards from Darajamal after the attack. The aircrew confirmed the presence of friendly forces in the area before engaging the fleeing terrorists with successive airstrikes.
“Over 30 of the insurgents were neutralised in the strikes, while ground reinforcements secured the community shortly after the bombardment,” the source said, as more terrorists fatalities are still being counted.
It was gathered that the coordinated air and ground operation prevented the insurgents from regrouping, forcing survivors of the attack to retreat deeper into the Sambisa forest.
Security sources confirmed that calm had been restored to Darajamal, adding that search operations were ongoing in nearby villages to reassure displaced residents and forestall any reprisal attacks.
Meanwhile, humanitarian workers have expressed concern over the plight of survivors who lost loved ones and properties in the initial assault before troops intervened. Aid groups say immediate relief, including food, medical support, and psychosocial care, will be critical for the affected community.
Governor Babagana Zulum and the Military High Command are expected to visit Darajamal to access the current situation.
Troops crush ISWAP terrorists after deadly attack on Darajamal community in Borno
Troops arrest terrorist informants, logistics suppliers in Sokoto
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA have arrested two suspected terrorist informants and logistics suppliers in Gudu Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the suspects were apprehended on Sept. 4 during a fighting patrol to Yaka village by a quick response team.
The suspects, according to the source, are in troop custody for further investigation and action.
Troops arrest terrorist informants, logistics suppliers in Sokoto
Troops arrest 3 suspected kidnappers in Niger State
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA have arrested three suspected kidnappers in Rijau Local Government Area of Niger State.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the suspects were apprehended on Sept. 4 when local vigilantes in Dukku town handed them over to troops on routine patrol along the Rijau–Duku axis.
The suspects were identified as Mohammed Mohammed, 30, Babe Sanda, 25, and Buba Matilo, 25.
According to the sources, the suspects confessed to abducting two locals from Dukku town and taking them to a terrorist hideout in Duku Forest.
The suspects are currently in troop custody for further investigation and action.
Troops arrest 3 suspected kidnappers in Niger State
Ex-perm sec joins APC in Gombe, pledges support for Gov Yahaya
Troops crush ISWAP terrorists after deadly attack on Darajamal community in Borno
Troops, air force launch offensive on terrorists in Zamfara
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