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NDLEA arrests port terminal operator, dock worker over 1,044.29kg Cocaine, Colos

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NDLEA arrests port terminal operator, dock worker over 1,044.29kg Cocaine, Colos

By: Michael Mike

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have begun to unmask members of an organized criminal network behind the recent importation of two containers laden with illicit drugs as well as assorted arms and ammunition from Durban, South Africa to the Tincan seaport in Lagos.

A press statement on Sunday by the spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi said among those already arrested as members of the syndicate are: a clearing and notify party of the two containers, Falowo Kayode; a dock worker, Anjorin Idowu and Uzairu Iguda who is in charge of the five star terminal at the port. Another dock worker at the terminal, Mohammed Sule (alias organizer) who is equally linked to the syndicate is currently at large.

Babafemi said based on credible intelligence, the agency had requested for a 100 percent joint examination of two containers marked MSCU 4581770 and TRHU 7968071 from South Africa. As a result, the exercise was conducted with other stakeholders on 18th and 19th of January, 2024 during which 56.39 kilogrammes cocaine and 795 kilogrammes Colorado, a synthetic strong strain of cannabis among other illegal items were recovered from the containers.

He said following a tasking order by the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig Gen Buba Marwa (Retd) to a combined team of specialized units of the agency to unravel those behind the importation of the large consignments of the illicit drugs, ongoing investigations have led to the discovery of more bags of Colorado weighing 192.7 kilogrammes, a pistol, and rounds of ammunition removed from the container, MSCU 4581770 and hidden in an empty container before the 100 percent joint examination at the five star terminal.

He said as a result, two suspects: Uzairu Iguda who is in charge of the terminal’s container positioning and stacking, and Anjorin Idowu who is a dock worker in the terminal have been arrested. Another suspect, Mohammed Muktar Sule (alias organizer) now at large, is also a dock worker in the terminal. Investigations revealed that the three suspects conspired with the agent and notify party, Falowo Kayode to remove the 192.7 kilogrammes Colorado, pistol and rounds of ammunition from the container to an empty container in the terminal.

He noted that the latest seizure brings the total recovered from the two containers to 56.39 kilogrammes of cocaine and 987.9 kilogrammes of Colorado with a combined weight of 1,044.29 kilogrammes .

He added that investigations have also revealed three kingpins believed to be based in South Africa and connected with the importation of the containers are Odeyemi Taiwo; Akinyemi Olayinka and Adebayo Adewole who are now on the agency’s wanted list.

In Edo state, NDLEA officers last Tuesday 20th raided a drug joint under powerline off Etete road, GRA Benin city where they arrested a salesgirl, Jessica Destiny, 24, and recovered assorted illicit drugs. A follow up operation the following day led to the arrest of the owner of the joint, 36-year-old Ibrahim Sani who is the Commander, Arewa Association Vigilantes in the area.

A consignment of 179 kilogrammes cannabis was recovered by operatives at Badagry Waterside, Lagos last Wednesday, while a 67-year-old grandpa, Rafiu Ogunro was nabbed last at Magbon, Ogun state with 57 kilogrammes cannabis, 2,700 pills of tramadol, and 231 bottles of Codeine syrup, weighing 2.31 litres.

In Borno, a 25-year-old lady, Zara Mele was arrested with quantities of cocaine and heroin at Baga checkpoint last Tuesday, while Usman Shuaibu, 26, and Mohammed Lawan, 22, were also nabbed with quantities of the same class A drug at Meri and Babban Layi areas of Maiduguri the same day respectively.

Babafemi said no less than 44,820 pills of opioids being taken to Zamfara state by Tasiu Mohammed, 25, and Abubakar Tanko, 54, were intercepted along Jega-Sokoto road by NDLEA officers in Kebbi state, while a farmer Ali Abdulhamid, 35, was arrested in his farm where he grows tomatoes and some stems of cannabis sativa weighing 73 kilogrammes at Bakin Kasuwa village, Birnin Yero area of Igabi local government area of Kaduna state.

Two suspects: Shuaibu Ahmed, 38, and Tanimu Abdullahi, 29, travelling in a commercial bus from Lagos to Kano with 99 blocks of cannabis weighing 37 kilogrammes were intercepted by NDLEA officers along Kwali-Gwagwalada express road, Abuja on Monday 19th Feb, while one Michael Okefi was arrested at Upper Iweka area of Onitsha, Anambra state with 483 bottles of codeine-based cough syrup concealed in two 50-litre kegs. A follow up operation led to the arrest of the suspected actual owner, Osinachi Jasper.
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Babafemi also revealed that at least 540 grammes of cocaine concealed in canvas shoes heading to the United Kingdom were intercepted at a courier firm in Lagos last Friday by NDLEA operatives of the Directorate of Operation and General Investigation, DOGI.

Equally, a consignment of tramadol 225mg hidden in ladies headgear going to the United Kingdom was also seized same day at the courier house, while another parcel containing ecstasy concealed in body cream container meant for Cyprus was also intercepted.

In Kano state, different quantities of opioids and other illicit drugs were recovered from at least 12 young men arrested in parts of Kano between Monday 19th and Friday 23rd February. Some of the suspects include: Yusuf Abdullahi,20; Usman Muhammed,18; Sadiq Jibrin, 20; Ibrahim Lawan, 25; Ukasha Usaini,19; Sahabi Lamini,15; Isiyaka Mohammed, 28; Bashir Ayuba, 36; Ahmad Idris,18; Abubakar Sani,29; Bashir Mohammed, 21 and Udochukwu Ezekiel, 35.

He said NDLEA Commands across the country continued to intensify their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy lectures.

Meanwhile, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Retd) has applauded officers of the agency across the country for continued arrest of drug traffickers and intensifying the WADA advocacy lectures, thus creating parity between their drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction activities.

NDLEA arrests port terminal operator, dock worker over 1,044.29kg Cocaine, Colos

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Crime

Troops intercept truck with over 164,000 cartridges in Anambra, arrest suspected IPOB/ESN arms suppliers

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Troops intercept truck with over 164,000 cartridges in Anambra, arrest suspected IPOB/ESN arms suppliers

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Sector 5 of Operation UDO KA, in a joint operation with operatives of the 63 Brigade and the Department of State Services (DSS), have intercepted a truck loaded with over 164,000 live cartridges allegedly being supplied to the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed affiliate, Eastern Security Network (ESN).

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the operation followed credible intelligence which led to the arrest of a suspected arms courier, Mr Emeka Omenife, along the Asaba–Onitsha expressway on 29 May 2025.

According to the sources, Omenife was immediately handed over to the DSS for interrogation. During questioning, he reportedly confessed to being part of a syndicate involved in transporting ammunition from Ghana to Nigeria for IPOB/ESN operatives.

Following his confession, troops arrested his accomplice, Mr Uchenna Obiora, at the Onitsha–Awka tollgate on 30 May 2025, while he was awaiting delivery of the ammunition.The arrest led to the interception of a truck which had the concealed ammunition.

“Upon interception, the vehicle was moved to Onitsha Cantonment, where a thorough search revealed a total of 164,650 live cartridges hidden in four constructed compartments within the cargo bed of the truck,” a source told Zagazola.

The cartridges, believed to have been purchased from Ghana, had Onitsha as their destination, the source added. Further investigations are ongoing to track down other members of the syndicate and their collaborators.

Zagazola also confirmed from security sources that Omenife had earlier been arrested by troops and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) tracking team on Jan. 22 at his residence in Onitsha Housing Estate.

During the January operation, he attempted to flee and was shot in the buttocks before being evacuated to the 302 Army Regiment Medical Services for treatment. He was later handed over to the Anambra State Police Criminal Investigation Department, Annex Akwuzu, for prosecution. His re-arrest in May suggests that he may have returned to the same criminal enterprise following his release in an unexplained circumstances.

Troops intercept truck with over 164,000 cartridges in Anambra, arrest suspected IPOB/ESN arms suppliers

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Police repel gunmen attack on government school in Benue, while students were writing WAEC

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Police repel gunmen attack on government school in Benue, while students were writing WAEC

BY: Zagazola Makama

The police in Benue have successfully repelled an attack by suspected herdsmen on Government Secondary School, Odugbo, while students were writing their West African Examinations Council (WAEC) exams.

Zagazola reliably informed that the attack occurred on 29th May 2025 at about 1:30 p.m., when gunmen opened sporadic fire at the school premises.

The 80-man Patrol Team of the Benue State Civilian Joint Task Force (PMF) Odugbo promptly responded and repelled the attackers, who fled into nearby bushes. No casualty was recorded during the incident.

Combing operations in the surrounding bushes are ongoing to track and apprehend the fleeing attackers.

In a separate incident on the same day at about 3:45 p.m., suspected armed robbers ambushed and shot dead a motorcyclist, Samuel Iordye, from Nkst Anyiin East at Tukwa Village along the Anyiin to Akwannaon Taraba State road.

The robbers also seized the victim’s motorcycle before fleeing the scene.

Military personnel, police the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Benue Civil Protection Guard, have launched a joint patrol and tactical operation to arrest the suspects.

The victim’s corpse was photographed and deposited at NKST Hospital Mortuary, Anyiin, for post-mortem examination.

Police repel gunmen attack on government school in Benue, while students were writing WAEC

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Crime

Hoodlums attack Ashaka Cement Company airstrip, one shot dead by security personnel

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Hoodlums attack Ashaka Cement Company airstrip, one shot dead by security personnel

By: Zagazola Makama

Unknown hoodlums attacked the airstrip of Ashaka Cement Company in Bajoga Local Government Area of Bauchi State on the night of May 29, 2025, leading to the death of one suspect during an attempted robbery.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that at about 11:43 p.m., three hoodlums armed with cutlasses and sticks trespassed into the company’s airstrip.

They pursued two civilian security guards attached to Pilgrims Security Company, who narrowly escaped. The attackers then began cutting down a signal tower used for aircraft control with the intent to steal it.

Security personnel from the company, including a patrol vehicle from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), responded promptly and dispersed the hoodlums.

However, the suspects returned and continued their destructive acts. During a second pursuit, security personnel shot one suspect in the shoulder. The injured suspect was rushed to General Hospital Bajoga for urgent medical attention but was later confirmed dead by the attending doctor. The corpse was deposited at the Public Mortuary.

The other suspects fled the scene and are currently being sought by security as investigations continue.

Hoodlums attack Ashaka Cement Company airstrip, one shot dead by security personnel

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