Crime
NDLEA Arrests Brazil Returnee with Cocaine Hidden on Body, Seizes Nearly 10 Tonnes of Drugs Nationwide
NDLEA Arrests Brazil Returnee with Cocaine Hidden on Body, Seizes Nearly 10 Tonnes of Drugs Nationwide
By: Michael Mike
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a Brazil-based Nigerian businessman, Uche Onyekwere, for attempting to smuggle cocaine into the country through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.
Onyekwere, 47, was apprehended last Thursday, at the airport’s arrival hall during the inward screening of passengers on a South African Airways flight from Brazil via Johannesburg. NDLEA officials acted on intelligence that led to his selection for further checks.
A body scan conducted on the suspect indicated the presence of concealed substances. A subsequent strip search uncovered a large wrap of a white powdery substance, later confirmed to be cocaine, strapped to his right thigh. Further examination revealed two additional wraps hidden inside the soles of the flat shoes he was wearing.
In total, NDLEA officers recovered three wraps of cocaine weighing 1.6 kilogrammes.
During questioning, the suspect reportedly admitted purchasing the drugs in Brazil with plans to sell them in Nigeria. He claimed the proceeds were intended to expand his business and support the naming ceremony of his newborn child. Onyekwere, who resides in São Paulo, Brazil, said he has lived there since 2008 and has operated a toy business for several years.
Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives at the Tincan Seaport, Lagos, intercepted a container shipment last Wednesday, uncovering 55 jumbo bags of Canadian Loud, a potent cannabis strain, weighing 1,183 kilogrammes.
According to a statement on Sunday by the spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi, the drugs, imported from Montreal, Canada, were concealed inside a Hyundai SUV and a Toyota Matrix vehicle and was discovered during a joint inspection involving NDLEA, the Nigeria Customs Service, and other security agencies.
In Niger State, NDLEA officers intercepted a long-haul truck along the Dei-Dei–Abuja Expressway in the early hours last Tuesday. Three suspects—Andy Chidogu (49), Kenneth Ogene (45), and Sadiq Olanrewaju (27)—were arrested with 176 bags of skunk cannabis weighing 2,735 kilogrammes, alongside one kilogramme of Colorado, a synthetic cannabis variant.
Babafemi said investigations revealed that the truck driver, Kenneth Ogene, had transported flour from Lagos to Ekpoma, Edo State, before agreeing to convey the illicit drugs for a fee of ₦1.7 million.
He said further operations in Edo State led to the arrest of Shaibu Yusuf on the Auchi–Abuja Expressway with 66 bags of skunk weighing 792 kilogrammes concealed in charcoal bags.
In a related development, NDLEA operatives, supported by personnel of the Nigerian Army, raided a cannabis farm at Ebora Camp in Ilushi, Esan South East Local Government Area, destroying over 4,063 kilogrammes of skunk cultivated on 1.6 hectares of land. An additional 328 kilogrammes of processed cannabis and seeds were recovered, while four suspects were arrested.
In Anambra State, NDLEA officers intercepted a cement-laden truck at Upper Iweka, Onitsha, last Wednesday. A search revealed 345.2 kilogrammes of skunk concealed among bags of cement. One of the occupants, Abum Okeke, 42, was arrested.
Babafemi said operations in Ondo State resulted in the arrest of two suspects in Akure North with 473 kilogrammes of skunk, while Kano State recorded the seizure of 12,500 ampoules of pentazocine injection from Abdullahi Usman. Another suspect, Musa Shuaibu, was arrested with 4,390 tramadol pills in Gaya area of the state.
In Lagos, NDLEA operatives arrested Oragwan Ekene at Alaba with 15.5 kilogrammes of skunk en route to Anambra State. Additionally, 3.5 kilogrammes of cannabis were recovered from the luggage of a traveler arriving from Cotonou, Benin Republic, at the Seme border.
The spokesman said beyond enforcement activities, the agency continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization campaign across schools, religious institutions, workplaces, and communities nationwide during the week.
Commending the officers involved in the various operations, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd), urged personnel across the country to sustain the balanced approach of drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction in the fight against substance abuse and trafficking.
NDLEA Arrests Brazil Returnee with Cocaine Hidden on Body, Seizes Nearly 10 Tonnes of Drugs Nationwide
Troops Neutralise Suspected Fulani Bandits, Recover Four Motorcycles in Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) have neutralised a suspected Fulani terrorist during a gun battle with armed men riding motorcycles along Wanka Village in Kanam Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the encounter occurred at about 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 9, when troops of Sector 2 OPEP manning a blocking position along the Wanka axis sighted an unconfirmed number of suspected terrorists approaching on several motorcycles.
The troops immediately engaged the armed men with superior firepower, forcing them to retreat in disarray.
During the exchange, one of the suspected terrorists was neutralised, while the fleeing members of the group abandoned four Honda motorcycles and other items.
Items recovered from the scene included two mobile phones, one packet of cigarettes and seven tablets of Tramadol.
The recovered items have been taken into military custody and are undergoing investigation to establish possible links to the suspected criminal network.
The operation underscores the continued deployment of troops to strategic blocking positions and patrol routes to disrupt the movement of armed groups and prevent attacks on vulnerable communities in Plateau State.
Troops Neutralise Suspected Fulani Bandits, Recover Four Motorcycles in Plateau
Troops Recover AK-47 Rifle, Discover Suspected Bandit’s Corpse in Old Oyo National Park
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation IGBO DANU II, working alongside hybrid forces, have recovered an AK-47 rifle and discovered the corpse of a suspected bandit during operations inside the Old Oyo National Park.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the troops engaged suspected bandits at about 4:45 p.m. on Nov. 7, 2026, after sighting the armed group within the park.
The suspected bandits reportedly fled upon sighting the advancing troops.
During the encounter, the troops recovered one AK-47 rifle with registration number 14907, an empty magazine and a locally made Dane gun.
In a follow-up exploitation operation at about 8:45 a.m. on Nov. 8, the troops discovered the corpse of a suspected bandit and destroyed temporary shelters believed to have been used as hideouts by the group.
No further contact was made during the follow-up operation, while troops sustained exploitation efforts in the area.
Troops Recover AK-47 Rifle, Discover Suspected Bandit’s Corpse in Old Oyo National Park
Troops Arrest Two Suspected Burglars Attempting to Steal Chickens in Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 1, Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP), have arrested two suspected burglars while allegedly attempting to break into a poultry house to steal chickens in Doi community, Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the suspects were apprehended at about 6:10 a.m. on Nov. 7, 2026, by troops deployed at Latya Guard Location.
The suspects were reportedly caught while attempting to gain entry into the poultry house with the intention of stealing chickens.
They were subsequently handed over to the Nigeria Police, B Division, Bukuru, for further investigation and necessary action.
Troops Arrest Two Suspected Burglars Attempting to Steal Chickens in Plateau
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