Crime
NDLEA Arrests Octogenarians, Others in Sweeping Nationwide Drug Crackdown
NDLEA Arrests Octogenarians, Others in Sweeping Nationwide Drug Crackdown
By: Michael Mike
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested two elderly men—aged 83 and 78—alongside several other suspects in a series of coordinated anti-drug operations across multiple states, underscoring the agency’s intensified offensive against illicit drug trafficking in Nigeria.
The agency disclosed that the 83-year-old suspect, Pa John Ofiel, was apprehended last Tuesday during a raid at Samek area by Powerline in Abia State.
The spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi in a statement on Sunday, said acting on credible intelligence, NDLEA officers stormed the location and recovered 700 grammes of skunk—a potent strain of cannabis—packaged in retail sachets. The octogenarian was said to have told investigators he had previously worked as a shoemaker before venturing into drug distribution.
In a similar operation in Ekiti State, 78-year-old, Ogunjobi Samuel was arrested last Thursday at his residence in Ilupeju-Ekiti. Officers recovered 350 grammes of skunk from the suspect, reinforcing concerns about the widening demographic of individuals involved in drug peddling.
The crackdown extended to Oyo State, where two women—Rebecca King, 24, and Olaniyan Opeyemi, 31—were arrested in connection with the seizure of 1.925 kilogrammes of Colorado, a synthetic cannabis variant. King was intercepted along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, while Opeyemi was later arrested at Iwo Road, Ibadan, attempting to receive the consignment.
In a separate operation in Ibadan, NDLEA operatives captured a long-wanted drug dealer, Taofik Adeyemi, 49, who had reportedly evaded arrest for months. He was apprehended on Saturday alongside an associate, Mustapha Oyerinde, 28, at his residence in Erunmu area.
Babafemi said recovered items from the clampdown included 3.085 kilogrammes of skunk and a Toyota Camry vehicle. He noted that two of Adeyemi’s alleged accomplices had earlier been arrested in December 2025 and are currently facing prosecution.
Further arrests were recorded in Osun State, where a 65-year-old driver, Oladayo Awoyemi, was caught transporting 7 kilogrammes of skunk and 15 grammes of methamphetamine along the Ibadan-Ilesha Expressway. A follow-up operation led to the arrest of the alleged consignment’s owner, Ifedayo Babalola, in Ilesha.
In the North-East, NDLEA operatives intercepted large quantities of opioids in Borno State. A 27-year-old suspect, Yahaya Shehu, was arrested with 76,440 pills of Tramadol, while another operation led to the seizure of 14,000 capsules and the arrest of additional suspects linked to the consignment.
The agency also reported a major seizure along the Abuja-Jos highway in Kaduna State, where 290 kilogrammes of compressed cannabis were recovered from two suspects. In Jigawa State, nearly 50,000 capsules of Tramadol were seized from two individuals during a roadside operation in Hadejia.
In Lagos State, NDLEA operatives raided Awolowo Market in Mushin, recovering a staggering 740 kilogrammes of skunk.
Meanwhile, in Edo State, a suspect identified as Godstime Godspower was arrested with various illicit substances, including Loud, Colorado, Tramadol, Swinol, and methamphetamine.
Beyond enforcement, the NDLEA said it has continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaign nationwide, targeting schools, religious centres, and community groups. Recent outreach programmes were held in Niger, Kano, Anambra, Lagos, and Edo states, among others.
Chairman and Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended officers across the affected states for their operational successes. He emphasised the importance of maintaining a balance between aggressive drug supply reduction and sustained public education to curb demand.
The latest arrests, particularly those involving elderly suspects, highlight a troubling trend in Nigeria’s drug trade, where individuals across age groups are increasingly being drawn into illicit activities amid ongoing enforcement pressure.
NDLEA Arrests Octogenarians, Others in Sweeping Nationwide Drug Crackdown
Crime
Terrorism: DSS Secures Another Death Sentence, As Katsina Court Convicts Female Courier Arrested With Large Arms Cache
Breaking…..
Terrorism: DSS Secures Another Death Sentence, As Katsina Court Convicts Female Courier Arrested With Large Arms Cache
By: Michael Mike
A Federal High Court in Katsina State has sentenced a female arms courier to death by hanging after the Department of State Services (DSS) successfully prosecuted her for conspiracy to commit, aid and abet terrorism. This is the second death sentence secured by the DSS in the month of June.
The convict, Hauwa’u Mukhtar, was arrested by the DSS on September 16, 2023, at Jibia Motor Park, Katsina State, while attempting to transport 438 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition to one Ado, a notorious bandit kingpin operating in Dunburum Forest, Zamfara State.
On 3rd June, a Federal High Court in Abuja sentenced four men arrested by the DSS to death by hanging for their roles in the June 5, 2022, terror attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, which claimed over 40 lives.
Security sources revealed that, in Katsina, the DSS filed a two-count charge against Hauwa’u Mukhtar
before High Court No. 3, Katsina, presided over by Justice A. B. Bawale.
After evaluating the totality of evidence, witness testimonies, tendered exhibits, and final addresses of both prosecution and defence counsel, the court held that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, finding Mukhtar guilty on both counts.
The judge subsequently sentenced the convict to death by hanging in accordance with the provisions of the Penal Code Law of Katsina State, 2021.
“The successful prosecution is a significant milestone for the DSS, demonstrating its capacity to not only intercept criminal actors but to follow through with decisive legal action that results in landmark convictions.’, stated the source.
It could be recalled that, about a month ago, a Federal High Court in Abuja convicted and sentenced one Halima Haliru Umar to 20 years imprisonment for unlawful possession of 302 rounds of AK-47 live ammunition and attempting to provide support for acts of terrorism marking the second conviction of a female arms courier secured by the DSS this year.
Terrorism: DSS Secures Another Death Sentence, As Katsina Court Convicts Female Courier Arrested With Large Arms Cache
Troops Repel Terrorists in Yobe, Recover Communication Equipment and Bicycles
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops and local vigilante members have repelled an attack by suspected terrorists in Kanama, Geidam Local Government Area of Yobe State, following intelligence reports on insurgent movements in the area.
Security sources said the operation was conducted in the early hours of June 15 after troops of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Kanama, supported by vigilante personnel, acted on credible intelligence indicating the presence of suspected ISWAP/JAS terrorists within the community.
The joint patrol team reportedly made contact with the insurgents at about 3:15 a.m., leading to an exchange of gunfire.
According to the sources, the terrorists were forced to retreat towards the Sambisa axis after coming under pressure from the security forces.
Items recovered from the scene included nine bicycles, one Baofeng radio set, a mobile phone, three pairs of slippers and three locally made water bottles believed to have been abandoned by the fleeing insurgents.
One member of the vigilante group sustained a gunshot wound during the encounter and was evacuated to a medical facility for treatment.
The recovered items have been taken into custody for further exploitation and investigation.
Military authorities said troops remain on heightened alert and are continuing operations aimed at denying terrorist groups freedom of movement across the North-East region.
Troops Repel Terrorists in Yobe, Recover Communication Equipment and Bicycles
Troops of Operation Enduring Peace Arrest Two Suspected Drug Peddlers in Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) have arrested two suspected drug peddlers during a stop-and-search operation at Sabon Gari checkpoint in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Security sources said the suspects, identified as Mr. Jerry Joshua, 45, and Mr. Williams Nwaso, 54, were intercepted at about 6:00 a.m. on June 15 at the checkpoint.
The troops, who were conducting routine security checks, reportedly discovered a large quantity of substances suspected to be cannabis sativa in their possession.
The suspects and the recovered exhibits have been taken into custody for further investigation and possible prosecution.
Security authorities said the arrest is part of ongoing efforts by Operation Enduring Peace to curb drug trafficking and other criminal activities within Plateau State.
Investigations are ongoing.
Troops of Operation Enduring Peace Arrest Two Suspected Drug Peddlers in Plateau
Terrorism: DSS Secures Another Death Sentence, As Katsina Court Convicts Female Courier Arrested With Large Arms Cache
Senate to Enact Stronger Laws to Tackle Rising Drug Abuse
How dialogue, military intervention prevented fresh bloodshed in Benue communities
Roger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
FAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
News2 years agoRoger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
-
Opinions4 years ago
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
-
News1 year agoFAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
News2 years agoEYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
Opinions5 years agoPOLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
ACADEMICS2 years agoA History of Biu” (2015) and The Lingering Bura-Pabir Question (1)
-
Columns2 years agoArmy University Biu: There is certain interest, but certainly not from Borno.
-
Politics1 year ago2027: Why Hon. Midala Balami Must Go, as Youths in Hawul and Asikira/Uba Federal Constituency Reject ₦500,000 as Sallah Gift
