Crime
NDLEA arrests Saudi-bound trafficker with cocaine in sandals
NDLEA arrests Saudi-bound trafficker with cocaine in sandals
By: Michael Mike
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a member of Lagos major drug syndicate, a 56-year-old, Lawal Oyenuga who was on a mission to deliver 400 grammes of cocaine concealed in a pair of palm sandals in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Orenuga’s arrest led to a swift follow up arrest of a wanted notorious kingpin, Wasiu Gbolahan popularly known as Teacher, who is notorious for the recruitment of mules for the cartel.
A statement on Sunday by the spokesman of NDLEA, Femi Babafemi said operatives of the anti-narcotics agency attached to the screening point of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos had on Thursday 24th November intercepted Oyenuga with a pair of black palm sandals packed in the luggage he was going with to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia via Addis Ababa on an Ethiopian Airways flight.
Babafemi disclosed that a thorough examination of the sandals revealed they were used to conceal two parcels of cocaine weighing 400 grammes, noting that this was barely a week after a 56-year-old widow and mother of four, Mrs. Ajisegiri Sidika was arrested at the airport over her attempt to traffic 400 grammes of cocaine concealed in her footwear to Makkah, Saudi Arabia on board a Qatar Airways flight.
The spokesman said Oyenuga in his statement claimed he was recruited to traffic the drug by Wasiu Gbolahan popularly known as Teacher, adding that he was first given some pellets of cocaine to swallow but when he couldn’t do that, he was given the ones concealed in the palm sandals.
He confessed to have resorted to the criminal trade to raise money to pay an examination fee for his daughter who is in Senior Secondary School (SSS) 3.
Babafemi said the agency’s database revealed that Wasiu Sanni (Teacher) has been linked to some previous attempts to traffic cocaine to Saudi Arabia and Dubai, UAE, and had been fingered as the one who recruited a BRT driver, Bolajoko Babalola for Lagos socialite and owner of Adekaz Hotels, Alhaji Ademola Kazeem (a.k.a Alhaji Abdallah Kazeem Muhammed) to traffic drugs to Dubai.
Bolajoko was arrested on 27th June while taking 900 grammes of cocaine to Dubai while Ademola Kazeem was nabbed on Thursday 10th November, barely 10 days after he was declared wanted by NDLEA.
Babafemi said a follow up operation in the early hours of last Friday led to the arrest of the kingpin, Teacher, who specialises in recruiting mules for drug barons in Lagos and its environs at his residence located in Ikorodu area of Lagos. The 64-year-old Wasiu Sanni Gbolahan is a housing and property agent, with seven children and four wives, one of whom is now late.
He also revealed that in another follow up operation to the seizure of 1.1 kilogrammes cannabis concealed in bottles of body cream going to Dubai on 9th September, the actual owner of the consignment, Wordu Chukwuemeka who runs a boutique business in Port Harcourt, Rivers state was arrested in the Garden City last Thursday.
In the same vein, operatives attached to NAHCO import shed of the Lagos airport on last Tuesday intercepted a consolidated cargo from Johannesburg, South Africa via an Airpeace Airline flight.
The cargo contained different items, including cloths, cereals, baby toys, drinks, and a set of two big black speakers, which were used to conceal 25 parcels of Loud variant of cannabis, with a gross weight of 5.5 kilogrammes.
Similarly, operatives attached to the SAHCO export shed of the airport same Tuesday intercepted a carton of food items used to conceal 500 grams of cannabis going to Dubai, UAE while the owner, Uzoma Kingsley was promptly arrested.
Babafemi said in a related development, attempt by an Organised Criminal Group to traffic 131 kilogrammes of Ephedrine, a dominant precursor chemical for the production of Methamphetamine to Congo Kinshasa through the SAHCO export shed of the airport was foiled on Monday 21st November by NDLEA operatives in conjunction with Aviation Security (AVSEC) officers of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
He said the two freight agents: Nwazuru Georgewill and Saheed Muritala linked to the bid were promptly arrested.
He said an attempt by a drug trafficker, Udogwu Johnson, facing multiple charges of drug offences to flee the country after he jumped bail has been thwarted by NDLEA operatives at the Port Harcourt International Airport where he was arrested last Friday.
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He said the 51-year-old suspect was already facing trial at a Federal High Court in Lagos before he was arrested again on Saturday 9th April in Port Harcourt for importing 5.48kg cocaine concealed in lotion plastic bottles sealed with candle wax. He was granted bail by a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt on Wednesday 23rd November over his latest offence while the Lagos court had issued a warrant of arrest against him for jumping bail over his case in Lagos.
At the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, the move by a Brazilian returnee, Iroegbute Francis, 46, to smuggle 4 kilogrammes cocaine soaked in towels stuffed in his hand luggage into the country was foiled on Thursday 24th Nov by NDLEA officers who arrested him, upon his arrival on a Qatar Airline flight from Brazil -Doha-Abuja.
According to Babafemi, no fewer than 5,851.3 kilogrammes (5.8 tons) of cannabis sativa were seized from dealers across five states in the past week, including a notorious cripple, Ibrahim Yusuf, 45, who was arrested on Monday 21st November at Gasline, Ifo, Ogun state with 4 kilogrammes of the psychotropic substance, while a total of 36 bags weighing 570 kilogrammes of the same substance were recovered in another raid at a forest in Ogunmakin town, Obafemi Owode local government area.
In Edo, operatives last Tuesday evacuated 141 bags of cannabis sativa with a gross weight of 1,884 kilogrammes (about 1.9 tons) stored in a warehouse in Okpe forest, Akoko Edo local government area, while last Thursday, NDLEA officers arrested Ismaila Abubakar, 50, at Okada junction, Ovia South West local government area with 22 bags of cannabis sativa weighing 216.5 kilogrammes, and a day after, operatives also seized 112 bags of cannabis sativa stored in Obi Camp forest, Ovia South West local government area weighing 1,512 kilogrammes.
He said this was also followed by another seizure of 45 bags that weighed 529.5 kilogrammes while officers equally intercepted a Toyota Sienna bus with Reg. No. BDG 598 FZ (Lagos) loaded with 566.5 kilogrammes cannabis going to Onitsha, Anambra State, and a suspect, Sunday Mathias, 30, arrested with the seizure.
In Ondo state, NDLEA operatives stormed Oke-Ogun forest last Friday where Onyebuchi Chime was arrested with 88 kilogrammes cannabis, a gun and some ammunition while they also recovered 149.5 kilogrammes of the substance at Ipele forest. Not less than 12.42 hectares of cannabis farms were destroyed and 195 kilogrammes processed weeds of the substance recovered at Efon Alaye, Ekiti state where two dealers: Richard Ebong and Nze Abraham were arrested on Saturday.
In Oyo state, operatives arrested a 27-year-old Mrs. Adebayo Rahmat last Thursday at Sabo-Ilupeju, Atiba local government area, with 136.3 kilogrammes cannabis, while no fewer than 84,000 pills of tramadol tablets were recovered from a suspect, Muhsin Abdullahi in Bodinga area of Sokoto state same day. Also 16,000 pills of Exol-5 and D5 concealed in palm oil were seized from Lawal Rabe, 24, last Friday at Kokami village, Danta local government area, Katsina while a total of 54,500 tablets of tramadol and Exol-5 were seized from the duo of Basiru Muhammadu and Saidu Yusuf in the same area on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Retd), commended the officers and men of the MMIA, NAIA, PHIA, Edo, Ogun, Ekiti, Ondo, Sokoto, Katsina and Oyo Commands of the agency for their professionalism in the discharge of their duties and the remarkable results that followed.
He however enjoined them and their compatriots across the country not to let down their guards as the nation approaches the festive season.
NDLEA arrests Saudi-bound trafficker with cocaine in sandals
Crime
NDLEA Busts Nationwide Drug Ring, Arrests 93-Year-Old Suspect and Medical Doctor in Sweeping Crackdown
NDLEA Busts Nationwide Drug Ring, Arrests 93-Year-Old Suspect and Medical Doctor in Sweeping Crackdown
By: Michael Mike
Nigeria’s anti-narcotics war has taken a dramatic turn as operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) uncovered a sprawling drug trafficking network, arresting suspects across several states—including a 93-year-old man and a 69-year-old medical doctor—in a series of coordinated, intelligence-driven operations.
The arrests and seizures, carried out over the past week, cut across Abia, Kano, Ogun, Lagos, Imo, Niger, Edo, Borno, and the Federal Capital Territory, exposing the depth and diversity of actors involved in the illicit trade.
In one of the most startling cases, NDLEA operatives arrested 93-year-old Friday Chigbu at his residence in Osisioma Local Government Area of Abia State, with 7.7 kilogrammes of skunk recovered from his home.
According to a statement on Sunday by the spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi, the nonagenarian admitted to decades of cannabis use, claiming he began smoking in 1959 before venturing into distribution barely a year ago.
In a separate but related operation, NDLEA dismantled an international cocaine trafficking attempt involving Ivorian national Gohouri Michael, who was intercepted at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano while attempting to board a flight to Milan, Italy.
He was found to have ingested 82 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.49 kilogramsmes and was reportedly promised €5,000 upon successful delivery.
Further investigations led to the arrest of Dr. Chudi Ofomata in Ogun State. The 69-year-old physician is alleged to have coordinated the operation, guiding the courier’s movements and logistics. NDLEA operatives recovered controlled substances, including promazepam and promethazine injections, from his residence.
Across multiple states, NDLEA operations delivered significant seizures and arrests:
In Niger State, a couple was apprehended after 118 kilogrammes of skunk was discovered in their kitchen.
In Ogun State, three suspects were arrested with 34 kilogrammes of cannabis during a raid in Sango-Ota.
In Imo State, a 26-year-old woman was intercepted with 56.2 kilogrammes along the Onitsha–Owerri road.
In Borno State, officers seized thousands of tablets of Rohypnol and large volumes of codeine syrup and pentazocine injections concealed in a trailer transporting spare parts.
In Lagos, 15 kilogrammes of high-grade cannabis known as “Scottish Loud” was recovered from a commercial bus, while a separate operation in Mushin uncovered 26,800 bottles of codeine syrup.
In Abuja, eight suspects were arrested during a raid on a notorious drug hub, with over 11 kilogrammes of skunk recovered.
The most significant haul came from Edo State, where NDLEA operatives intercepted two trucks carrying a combined 7,245 kilogrammes of skunk hidden among cartons of beer. Five suspects were arrested in connection with the consignment, which was reportedly en route to Abuja.
Babafemi said beyond enforcement, the agency continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign, targeting schools, motor parks, and community groups with sensitisation programmes aimed at curbing demand.
Chairman of NDLEA, Buba Marwa, commended officers for the successful operations, stressing the importance of sustaining both supply suppression and preventive education.
NDLEA Busts Nationwide Drug Ring, Arrests 93-Year-Old Suspect and Medical Doctor in Sweeping Crackdown
Troops neutralize 13 bandits in Plateau offensive, recover weapons and logistics items
By: Zagazola Makama
The sustained military offensive against armed groups in Plateau State has recorded a significant breakthrough following the neutralisation of 13 suspected terrorists in Wase and Kanam Local Government Areas.
Security sources said troops under Operation Wutan Daji, on April 9, intensified clearance operations across identified terrorist corridors, including Daba and Seri villages.
The operation, which commenced at about 8:30 a.m., involved the establishment of blocking positions between Dutsen Zaki and Odare Forest, where troops made contact with armed elements moving on motorcycles.
The suspected terrorists were reportedly engaged in a firefight, resulting in the neutralisation of several of them, while others escaped with injuries.
Following exploitation of the area, troops confirmed that about 10 terrorists were neutralised during the encounter.
Items recovered from the scene included two motorcycles, five containers of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) of 25 litres each, one AK-47 rifle, and a magazine loaded with three rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.
Military authorities said the operation remains ongoing as troops continue clearance actions and exploitation of surrounding forests believed to serve as escape routes for armed groups.
The latest development reflects an intensified push by security forces to disrupt mobility corridors used by armed groups operating across Plateau’s forested and border communities.
The operation also illustrates a shift towards more aggressive blocking and interception tactics aimed at denying militants freedom of movement and access to logistics supplies.
Authorities have assured that further updates will be provided as operations progress in the affected areas.
lTroops neutralize 13 bandits in Plateau offensive, recover weapons and logistics items
Several bandits killed as Army, DSS, Local Volunteer Forces Foil Attacks on Niger Communities
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Nigerian Army, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), and local volunteer forces on Tuesday successfully foiled what locals said would have been a large-scale attack by bandits on Bagna and Erena communities in Shiroro LGA of Niger state.
Credible security sources disclosed that the move by the operatives followed advance intelligence on the the planned attack.
According to the sources, as bandits in their numbers made to storm Bagna and Erene communities, the security operatives and volunteers ambushed them, killing scores of the attackers.
“Over 300 bandits armed with dangerous weapons and on motorcycles we’re headed to the communities. Unfortunately for them, security operatives and local vigilantes, who had credible intelligence on their movements, ambushed them. Scores were killed while many others fled toward the Makuba and Allawa axis” disclosed the source.
Residents of the communities expressed gratitude to the security operatives and volunteer forces, noting that their gallantry saved them from what would have been a major disaster.
“We are very happy. We thank the joint security forces for protecting us,” one of the residents stated.
“We are witnessing an increase in collaboration between security agencies and local volunteer forces. This has led to a bridging of security gaps, and making the first line of defence against insecurity very effective,” offered the source, stressing, “their actions have helped strengthen security in several communities across the country.”
Several bandits killed as Army, DSS, Local Volunteer Forces Foil Attacks on Niger Communities
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