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NDLEA bursts snake-guarded shrine loaded with drugs in Edo
NDLEA bursts snake-guarded shrine loaded with drugs in Edo
By: Michael Mike
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have busted a snake guarded shrine used to store illicit drugs in Igor community, Benin city, Edo state
A statement on Sunday by the spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi operatives of NDLEA detected a specially constructed large hole storage in a wall covered with wallpapers and fetish objects during a raid on a shrine where different quantities of illicit substances such as methamphetamine, Loud, Colorado and Arizona, all strong strains of cannabis with a total weight of 8.743 kilogrammes, were pulled out from the deep hole dug in the wall of the shrine building.
He said at least, two ladies: Sonia Ezumezu and Risikatu Tijani were arrested during the intelligence-led operation last Tuesday after the big black snake guarding the shrine was demobilized.
He also said two suspects: Obi Ferguson,45, and Ernest Abanum, 46, were arrested on Saturday when NDLEA operatives raided the Usen forest in Ovia South West local government area of Edo state where 209 kilogrammes of cannabis and a motorcycle were recovered.
In another clampdown, NDLEA officers in Lagos have intercepted a carefully packaged consignment of 8.2 kilogrammes of methamphetamine at a motor park in Mazamaza, Ojo area of the state.
He said the highly addictive illicit substance, also called ice or crystal meth was packed in imported Dunkin’ turtle love chocolate wraps and then concealed in the casing of three loud speakers.
He disclosed that a 39-year-old suspect, Michael Odiomume who was sending the consignment to Owerri, Imo state was promptly arrested last Wednesday at the park.
In Abuja, operatives last Tuesday intercepted a white Nissan Frontier pick up vehicle with amber lights and fake registration number of a security agency at Kiyi village in Kuje area of the FCT. He said the vehicle was loaded with 454 compressed blocks of cannabis sativa, weighing 340.8 kilogrammes procured at Uzeba, Edo state. He said a 76-year-old grandfather, Mr. Francis Omofa, who claimed to have been in the illicit drug business for 10 years, linked to the consignment was arrested.
Babafemi said with the same vigour, commands and formations of the agency’ across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization activities in schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others in the past week.
Meanwhile, while commending the officers and men of Edo, Lagos, and FCT commands, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd) noted the balance in their drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts as well as those of their compatriots across the country. He however charged them to maintain the ongoing offensive action against drug cartels as they continue to intensify their war against drug abuse, WADA, social advocacy campaign.
NDLEA bursts snake-guarded shrine loaded with drugs in Edo
Suspected cultists kill 12 in attack on Jos community, Plateau govt imposes curfew
By: Zagazola Makama
Suspected cultists on Sunday night attacked Angwan Rukuba community in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State, leaving 12 persons dead, in a fresh outbreak of violence that has prompted authorities to impose a 48-hour curfew in the area.
Security sources said the incident occurred at about 8:00 p.m. when residents of the community came under sporadic gunfire from unidentified armed men, suspected to be cultists, who stormed the area and shot indiscriminately.
Troops of Sector 1, Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP), were immediately mobilised to the scene following a distress call and moved to restore order and prevent further escalation.
A security report indicated that 12 persons were confirmed dead, while several others sustained varying degrees of injuries. The injured victims were said to have been evacuated to nearby medical facilities for treatment.
The troops subsequently cordoned off major access routes to the community and ordered residents to remain indoors while a coordinated search operation was launched to track down the attackers.
Military sources added that clearance operations were ongoing to apprehend the perpetrators and prevent further breakdown of law and order in the area.
In response to the attack, the Plateau State Government, in collaboration with security agencies, announced the imposition of a 48-hour curfew on Jos North Local Government Area with immediate effect.
The curfew, which took effect from midnight of March 29 to April 1, 2026, was aimed at restoring calm and enabling security agencies to carry out intensified operations.
In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Rt. Hon. Joyce Lohya Ramnap, the government condemned the attack, describing it as “barbaric and unprovoked.”
The statement assured residents that security agencies had been directed to ensure the arrest and prosecution of those responsible, while urging the public to remain calm and cooperate with ongoing investigations.
Security patrols were still ongoing across affected communities as authorities moved to forestall possible reprisal attacks and restore normalcy.
Suspected cultists kill 12 in attack on Jos community, Plateau govt imposes curfew
Troops arrest suspected kidnapper in Damboa LGA of Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have arrested a suspected kidnapper in Azir community, Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State.
Sources told Zagazola Malama that the suspect was apprehended at about 5:00 p.m. on March 28 by troops of 25 Brigade and 19 Battalion (Mechanised) deployed at a Forward Operating Base in Azir.
The source disclosed that the suspect was alleged to have been involved in kidnapping activities within the Damboa and Azir general areas.
“During preliminary investigation, the suspect claimed to be a cattle courier operating within Damboa and its environs,” the source said.
He added that one bicycle was recovered from the suspect at the point of arrest.
The suspect and the recovered item are currently in troops’ custody for further investigation and necessary action.
Troops arrest suspected kidnapper in Damboa LGA of Borno
Troops arrest 58 illegal miners in Edo state
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation MESA have arrested 58 suspected illegal miners at an illegal gold mining site in Ososo general area, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State.
A security source disclosed that the suspects were apprehended at about 1:00 p.m. on March 28 during a fighting patrol conducted by troops of 195 Battalion (Rear).
According to the source, the troops stormed the mining site and arrested the suspects without resistance.
“The suspects are currently in troops’ custody for further action,” the source said.
He noted that the operation forms part of ongoing efforts to curb illegal mining activities and other criminal enterprises within Edo State and its environs.
Troops arrest 58 illegal miners in Edo state
Suspected cultists kill 12 in attack on Jos community, Plateau govt imposes curfew
Troops arrest suspected kidnapper in Damboa LGA of Borno
Troops arrest 58 illegal miners in Edo state
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