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.”
Troops Raid Criminal Hideouts, Arrest 10 Suspects in Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 1 of Operation Safe Haven have conducted coordinated raid operations on suspected criminal hideouts in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, leading to the arrest of 10 suspects.
Security sources said the operation was carried out at about 9:00 p.m. on May 19 at Gurum and Mista-Ali communities as part of ongoing efforts to deny criminal elements freedom of action within the area.
The troops reportedly stormed identified hideouts and arrested the suspects during the operation without incident.
A total of 10 suspects were taken into custody and are currently undergoing profiling and preliminary investigation.
Security sources said the raid forms part of sustained clearance operations aimed at curbing criminal activities, including banditry, kidnapping, and other related offences across Plateau State.
They added that security patrols and intelligence-driven operations would continue in vulnerable communities to restore lasting peace.
Troops Raid Criminal Hideouts, Arrest 10 Suspects in Plateau
Troops Disrupt Illegal Mining Activities in Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 4, Sub-Sector 41 of Operation Enduring Peace have disrupted suspected illegal mining activities in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Security sources said the troops responded at about 7:00 p.m. on May 19 following reports of illegal mining operations between NTV and Hirpiya villages.
On arrival at the location, the suspected illegal miners reportedly fled the scene upon sighting the troops.
The troops subsequently secured the area and recovered items believed to have been used for the illegal activities, including one long pipe, one generator, and one pumping machine.
The recovered items have been taken into custody for further investigation and necessary action.
Security sources said the operation formed part of ongoing efforts to curb illegal mining and other criminal activities contributing to insecurity and environmental degradation in Plateau State.
Troops Disrupt Illegal Mining Activities in Plateau
Troops Arrest Wanted Kidnap Suspect Linked to Abduction of Retired Colonel in Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 3 of Operation Safe Haven have arrested a wanted kidnap suspect linked to the abduction of a retired military officer in Plateau State.
Security sources said the suspect, identified as Abubakar Ahamadu, 35, was apprehended at about 4:00 p.m. on May 20 during an intelligence-led operation.
He was reportedly linked to the kidnapping of retired Col. Ajanaku (rtd), which occurred on Jan. 4 along Rukuba Road in Bassa LGA.
Sources said the arrest followed sustained efforts by troops to track and dismantle kidnapping networks operating within the area.
The suspect is currently in custody and undergoing further investigation and profiling.
Troops Arrest Wanted Kidnap Suspect Linked to Abduction of Retired Colonel in Plateau
Troops Raid Criminal Hideouts, Arrest 10 Suspects in Plateau
Troops Disrupt Illegal Mining Activities in Plateau
Troops Arrest Wanted Kidnap Suspect Linked to Abduction of Retired Colonel in Plateau
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