Crime
NDLEA arrests drug baron with 103 bank accounts, indicts Abba Kyari’s team
NDLEA arrests drug baron with 103 bank accounts, indicts Abba Kyari’s team
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a suspected drug baron, Afam Emmanuel Ukatu, said to be behind the N3billion Tramadol deal involving the embattled suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari-led Intelligence Response Team.
Aside from the N3 billion tramadol deal, the suspect is said to be operating 103 bank accounts, most of which are used to launder money.
The NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, titled, ‘NDLEA arrests drug baron behind N3billion Tramadol linked to Abba Kyaris team’.
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Babafemi said the suspect owns pharmaceutical and plastic manufacturing companies, which he used as a cover to import illicit drugs into Nigeria. This is in addition to operating 103 bank accounts, most of which are used to launder money.
He noted that the NDLEA officials arrested Ukatu on Wednesday 13th April on board a flight to Abuja at the MM2 terminal of the Lagos airport, Ikeja.
Babafemi explained that Ukatu is the Chairman of Mallinson Group of Companies.
The statement read, “Investigations reveal he’s been a major importer of large consignments of different brands and high dosages of Tramadol Hydrochloride, ranging from 120mg, 200mg, 225mg and 250mg, all of which are illicit. Ukatu owns pharmaceutical and plastic manufacturing companies, which he used as a cover to import illicit drugs into Nigeria. This is in addition to operating 103 bank accounts, most of which are used to launder money.
“Ukatu came under watch last year after five cartons of Tramadol 225mg were seized from his staff on 4th May 2021 when he sent them to sell to undercover police officers (unknown to Ukatu) from the then Kyari-led IRT of the Nigeria Police, Ikeja Lagos. The price of a carton of Tramadol was negotiated at N17million each as against the then black market value that ranged between N18million and N20million a carton in Lagos.
“After the arrest of Ukatu’s staff: Pius Enidom and Sunday Ibekwete, Kyaris men were then led by the suspects to Mallinson’s warehouse at Ojota in Lagos where 197 additional Cartons of Tramadol 225mg were seized by the IRT Team. The monetary value of the 202 cartons of Tramadol seized from Mallinson in one day was over N3billion.
“Three weeks after the seizure, the Kyaris IRT team transferred only 12 Cartons of the Tramadol with one truck and a suspect to the Lagos Command of the NDLEA, leaving 190 cartons unaccounted for.
“After over eight months of following the lead, anti-narcotic officers of the Agency eventually arrested Ukatu at the Lagos airport on 13th April 2022. Kyari and four top members of his team are already facing trial for a different but similar offence at a Federal High Court in Abuja.”
Edo: Seven suspected bandits arrested along Benin-Agbor Road
By: Zagazola Makama
Seven suspected bandits were arrested along the Benin–Agbor Road in Edo State during stop-and-search operations, security sources confirmed.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the suspects, all Fulani youths, were intercepted after being offloaded from a truck at about 1800 hours on 2 December 2025. A search revealed pictures of assault rifles, including AK-47s, on their mobile phones.
Upon interrogation, the suspects claimed to have travelled from Adamawa State. Investigations are ongoing for the possible recovery of actual firearms and to determine their involvement in criminal activities.
Security agencies have urged members of the public to report any suspicious movements to help prevent criminal acts in the area.
Edo: Seven suspected bandits arrested along Benin-Agbor Road
Army troops rescued Kidnapped Reverend in Miango, arms recovered
By: Zagazola Makama
The Nigerian army Troops have successfully rescued a kidnapped clergyman, Reverend Ephraim Yakubu, in Miango axis of Bassa Local Government Area, Plateau State.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the victim was abducted in front of his residence at Agingi Village along the Rukuba Road on 3 December 2025.
Troops on a clearance patrol around the high grounds in the Miango axis engaged the kidnappers on 4 December at about 0740 hours, forcing them to flee.
Reverend Yakubu was found tied under a rock in the area and sustained injuries during captivity.
Security personnel also recovered one fabricated rifle with a magazine containing eight rounds of 9mm ammunition from the scene.
The victim was immediately evacuated to the 3 Military Specialist Hospital (3 DMSH) for medical attention.
Efforts are ongoing to track and apprehend the fleeing kidnappers.
Army troops rescued Kidnapped Reverend in Miango, arms recovered
Bauchi Youth dies after fight during naming ceremony in Warji
By: Zagazola Makama
A 20-year-old man, Haruna Haruna of Kwata Village, Warji Local Government Area, Bauchi State, has reportedly died following a violent altercation during a naming ceremony on 2 December 2025.
Zagazola understands that a misunderstanding among some youths at the ceremony escalated into a physical fight, leaving the victim in a comatose state.
He was rushed to General Hospital, Warji, but later died while receiving medical attention.
Police operatives have arrested one Gambo Yobe, 20, in connection with the incident.
Bauchi Youth dies after fight during naming ceremony in Warji
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