Crime
NDLEA Arrest Worldwide Watchlisted Drug Baron with N1.4 billion Illicit Drugs
NDLEA Arrest Worldwide Watchlisted Drug Baron with N1.4 billion Illicit Drugs
By: Michael Mike
After 17 years on the watchlist of anti-narcotics agency, a 59-year-old drug baron Ogbonnaya Kevin has been unearthed by the operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) from his hideout in Ojo area of Lagos State.
The notorious baron was said to have hatched numerous plans that led to shipment of illicit drugs across the world, whose worth are put at billions of naira.
Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Monday, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd) detailed how operatives of its Special Operations Unit had been on the trail of Ogbonnaya following an Interpol red notice against him and information from the National Intelligence Service of South Korea.
According to Marwa: “The major development that warranted this special briefing pertains to the arrest of a drug lord who’s wanted across the world as the leader of an international drug trafficking organisation. I am therefore pleased to announce this significant breakthrough in our efforts to dismantle drug trafficking syndicates operating within the country.
“As we have said four years ago when we began the reform of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), our prime targets are drug barons and other important figures that organise drug trafficking rings.
“On Wednesday, 12th February 2025, we achieved that objective in the successful arrest of Ogbonnaya Kevin Jeff, a 59-year-old drug baron. The suspect was arrested at his hideout at No. 3, Ibukunoluwa Taiwo Close, off LASU Road, Lagos. He has been under NDLEA investigation before his arrest.
“As a result, we have comprehensive intelligence on his activities, and incontrovertible facts that he is a notorious drug lord who recruited young Nigerians as couriers to smuggle illicit substances into the Republic of Korea (South Korea).
“Our records reveal that many Nigerians apprehended outside the country for drug-related offences were linked to him. Furthermore, we have established that he laundered drug proceeds through the importation of electronics and other goods. Following his arrest, a search of his residence led to the recovery of multiple Nigerian international passports belonging to different individuals, many of which contained Korean visas. Additionally, we recovered some illicit substances in a storehouse at the back of his house.”
While unmasking the suspect’s leadership role in the drug underworld, the NDLEA boss said “Ogbonnaya Kevin Jeff is not a typical domestic drug baron; he is an international trafficker operating both from Nigeria and abroad. His dossier indicates that he served a one-year prison sentence in the Republic of Korea in 2007 and was deported to Nigeria in 2008. Despite this, he continued his illicit trade, remaining actively involved in drug trafficking operations to the Far East.
“Presently, he is wanted in the Republic of Korea for multiple drug trafficking offences in collaboration with his accomplices. An INTERPOL Red Notice was issued for his arrest and extradition to the country for offences committed between 2023 and 2024. From a series of interdictions, it has been established that Ogbonnaya Kevin Jeff is the ringleader of a drug trafficking organisation responsible for smuggling narcotics into the People’s Republic of Korea. He has been orchestrating operations remotely by giving instructions to drug mules and domestic suppliers who are members of his syndicate spread across Cameroon, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Liberia and other East and Southern African countries.”
Marwa further gave insights into what investigations had unearthed about Ogbonnaya’s illicit trade activities. “On 5th October 2023, at a location in Burkina Faso, the suspect dispatched 6,051.06 grams of skunk, concealed in dried chillies and jujube, to a Korean, Kim Dong Wook at a designated address in Jinju City, Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea. The package arrived at Incheon Airport on 19th October 2023 at 07:20 am via Air France.
“Investigation reveals that while residing in Nigeria, he directed his drug couriers, Santa Elizabeth Pieterse and Carl Yohan Stephan Brisman, to smuggle a total of five kilograms of methamphetamine into South Korea via overseas flights, between December 2023 and April 2024. In recent time alone, he has sent illicit drugs worth over N1.4billion in street value to South Korea.
“Ogbonnoya maintains another domestic carrier, identified as “Asa”, who delivers for him drug consignments to a warehouse operated by Okori Emmanuel, a Nigerian who is his supply manager in South Korea. As of now, two arrest warrants have been issued against Ogbonnaya by the Seoul Central District Court in January and June 2024. These warrants charge him with importing narcotic drugs in violation of Article 3-7 of South Korea’s Narcotics Control Act, an offence punishable by a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.”
Marwa assured of NDLEA’s commitment to ensuring that Nigeria does not serve as a base for international drug trafficking operations. “We will continue our relentless fight against illicit drug networks and their financiers, in line with our mandate to safeguard public health and national security. The arrest of Ogbonnaya is therefore an affirmation of our resolve to work with our international partners to ensure no drug baron finds Nigeria a comfort zone to distribute illicit substances within the country or traffic them to other countries.”
NDLEA Arrest Worldwide Watchlisted Drug Baron with N1.4 billion Illicit Drugs
Bandit attacks, cattle rustling expose persistent security gaps in Kano rural communities
By: Zagazola Makama
Incidents of armed banditry and cattle rustling in Shanono and Tsanyawa Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Kano State in the early hours of Jan. 2 has exposed the evolving security challenges confronting rural communities on the fringes of the North-West.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that suspected armed bandits invaded Farin-Fuwa village in Shanono LGA at about 2:55 a.m., prompting a swift response by security forces deployed in the area.
The responding teams of security forces engaged the attackers in a gun duel, during which one security personnel lost his life, while the suspects fled under pressure.
Although the attackers were forced to withdraw, analysts note that the fatality point to the growing boldness of bandit groups operating close to Kano’s rural settlements, often exploiting early morning hours to launch surprise attacks.
In a separate but related incident, suspected cattle rustlers struck Yakanawa village in Tsanyawa LGA at about 1:40 a.m. the same day, carting away an unspecified number of cattle before security teams could reach the scene.
The rustlers reportedly escaped moments before the arrival of responding forces, again highlighting the speed and mobility that continue to give criminal groups an operational edge in remote areas.
The two incidents reflect a broader pattern in which bandit groups adapt their tactics, shifting between direct armed assaults and economic sabotage through cattle rustling to sustain their operations.
The proximity of Shanono and Tsanyawa LGAs to known bandit corridors linking parts of Katsina, Zamfara and Kaduna States, suggesting that cross-border criminal movement continues to complicate security efforts.
While security forces have intensified patrols and tactical deployments across affected areas, it was argued that lasting stability will require a combination of sustained kinetic operations, community-based intelligence and disruption of the economic lifelines that sustain bandit groups.
Zagazola warned that unless cattle rustling networks are decisively dismantled and armed groups denied safe routes and hideouts, sporadic attacks and losses may continue, posing a lingering threat to rural livelihoods and overall security in Kano State
Bandit attacks, cattle rustling expose persistent security gaps in Kano rural communities
Troops clear terrorist enclaves, neutralise IEDs in Sambisa offensive
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have cleared several terrorist enclaves and neutralised multiple Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs during an ongoing offensive into the Sambisa Forest axis of Borno State.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the operation, conducted under Operation Desert Sanity V, involved troops of 21 Special Armoured Brigade (SAB) and 26 Task Force Brigade, operating in conjunction with vigilante forces.
According to the source, the troops departed their Harbour Area at about 9:20 a.m. on Dec. 31, and conducted clearance operations along designated withdrawal routes within the Sambisa axis.
“The troops successfully cleared the terrorist enclaves of Garin Kago, Garin Alhaji Bita and Garin Malam Muazu during the operation,” the source said.
The areas were described as active terrorist locations; however, the insurgents reportedly fled before the arrival of the advancing troops.
“Despite the terrorists’ withdrawal, several life-support structures within the enclaves were identified and destroyed in line with operational guidelines,” the source added.
During the withdrawal phase, troops encountered three buried IEDs, which were promptly detonated in situ by the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team without incident.
The troops later returned safely to Brigade Headquarters at about 4:45 p.m., while casualties recorded during the operation were immediately evacuated to the 7 Division Medical Hospital for further medical attention.
The operation forms part of sustained efforts by Operation Hadin Kai to degrade terrorist networks, dismantle logistics bases and deny insurgents freedom of movement within the Sambisa Forest and surrounding areas.
Troops clear terrorist enclaves, neutralise IEDs in Sambisa offensive
Troops neutralise two terrorists, recover arms in Sambisa Forest
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have neutralised two Boko Haram terrorists and recovered arms during clearance operations into the Sambisa Forest area of Borno.
Zagazola learnt that the operation was conducted on Dec. 29 by troops of 26 Task Force Brigade, in collaboration with the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), hybrid forces and hunters.
According to the sources , the troops, led by the Commander of 26 Task Force Brigade, advanced from their harbour area towards Tokumbere and Lagara axes en route to Sabil Huda to link up with troops of 21 Special Armoured Brigade.
The sources said that the troops successfully cleared Tokumbere and Lagara communities before making contact with a Boko Haram/ISWAP delay party along the axis.
The sources said the troops engaged the terrorists with heavy volume of fire, neutralising two of them, while others fled in disarray, possibly with gunshot wounds.
The sources added that troops conducted exploitation of the general area without further contact.
During the exploitation, the military said one AK-47 rifle and one AK-47 magazine loaded with 15 rounds of 7.62x39mm ammunition were recovered.
End
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