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NDLEA destroys 255 hectares of cannabis farms, arrests 13 in Ondo

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NDLEA destroys 255 hectares of cannabis farms, arrests 13 in Ondo

NDLEA destroys 255 hectares of cannabis farms, arrests 13 in Ondo

By: James Bwala

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Wednesday destroyed a total of 255 hectares of cannabis farms in five local government areas of Ondo State.

A statement by the spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi said the feat was achieved in a major operation that lasted seven days, 

Babafemi said in the operation, 13 suspects were also arrested and 250 kilogrammes of cannabis seeds as well as 63.85 kilogrammes cannabis weeds were recovered.

According to him, the operation took place deep inside five major forests: Omolowo/Powerline forest; Ipele forest; Ala forest; Ogbese forest; Utte and Okuluse forest that spread across five local council areas of the Sunshine state.

NDLEA destroys 255 hectares of cannabis farms, arrests 13 in Ondo

He said the exercise codenamed ‘Operation Abub’, which began at Ogbese forest last Tuesday, lasted till Monday, noting that at the Ogbese forest, a suspect, Olatunde Olaoluwa was arrested in his cannabis farm measuring 10 hectares, which was destroyed and burnt along with other cannabis farms spread across the Ogbese riverbank.

He said the following day, 16th of February, the agency’s Strike Force operatives in their numbers stormed Ipele forest where they arrested Amos Mark; Luke Job; Monday Momoh, and Otunuya Waya and destroyed while 19 hectares of irrigated cannabis plantations, adding that one of the suspects, who escaped during the farm destruction, was later arrested in his house.

He said the operation moved to the Omolowo community in Ogbese area last Wednesday when one Mary Udonije was arrested inside a 10-hectare farm with 16.5 kilogrammes of cannabis seeds and 4.5 kilogrammes of processed cannabis.  Also recovered in the farm was an irrigation pumping machine with over 700 metres of hose for watering the illicit weed.

Babafemi also said not less than 15 kilogrammes of cannabis seeds was also seized at Ala forest, Akure North Local Government Area with over 30 hectares of irrigation cannabis farms destroyed and burnt. A suspect, John Mike who claimed to be a labourer was apprehended with 2.5 kilogrammes of cannabis seeds.

He said on the Day 4 of the operation, 54 hectares of cannabis farm was destroyed at Utte and Okuluse forest, Ose Local Government Area of the state. Also recovered in the farm was 95 kilogrammes of cannabis seeds, 2.5 kilogrammes of processed cannabis sativa and a pumping machine with a long hose.

On the fifth day, one Anthony Agbe, 58, was arrested with 43 kilogrammes of fresh cannabis inside a farm that was earlier destroyed at Ogbese. He claimed he was contracted by one Henry Daniel, (a.k.a Calendar) who is at large to help gather the destroyed cannabis weeds. On the same day, one Ahmadu Abubakar was arrested with three Dane guns in a hut within a farm where over three hectares were destroyed at Akure North Local Government Area of the state.

Also Read: Gov. Sani Bello urges Nigerians to vote for young, vibrant,…

Babafemi said on the last day of the operation, Monday, over 50 clusters of cannabis farm spread across 47 hectares were destroyed and 2 kilogrammes of cannabis seeds seized, while a suspect, Olorunlogo Lekan was apprehended inside a large cannabis farm measuring 10 hectares at Ala forest before it was destroyed and burnt by Strike Force officers drawn across Edo, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo states Commands of the anti-narcotics agency. 

He said at least, 72 hectares of other cannabis farms in small clusters close to the identified ones in the five forests were also destroyed in the course of the operation.

Meanwhile, the Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Retd) has commended the officers and men of the Strike Force corps of the agency for their sacrifices and commitment to the directive by President Muhammadu Buhari that all such cultivation and plantations in the forests must be located and destroyed. 

He however charged them to look out for more of such farms in any part of the country for similar clampdown.

NDLEA destroys 255 hectares of cannabis farms, arrests 13 in Ondo

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Crime

Bandits abduct 30 villagers in Zamfara

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Bandits abduct 30 villagers in Zamfara

By: Zagazola Makama

Armed bandits have abducted 30 people during an attack on Zamfarawa village in Zugu District, Bukkuyum Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

Zagazola Makama report that the attack occurred on Oct. 7 at about 2:20 p.m., when a large number of bandits stormed the community, shooting sporadically to scare residents.

The hoodlums were said to have whisked away 30 villagers to an unknown destination.

Following the incident, security forces have intensified efforts to trace and rescue the abducted victims.
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Crime

Security forces rescue eight kidnapped passengers in Kogi, hunt for two others

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Security forces rescue eight kidnapped passengers in Kogi, hunt for two others

By: Zagazola Makama

Security forces in Kogi have rescued eight passengers who were abducted by gunmen along the Okene–Auchi highway on Monday.

Zagazola report that the incident occurred at about 3:48 p.m. when about 15 armed men dressed in military camouflage attacked a Toyota Hiace Hummer bus with registration number EDO UBJ 114 ZY belonging to Big Joe Ventures Ltd.

The bus, which was heading to Benin, Edo State, from Abuja, had 11 passengers on board.

During the attack, one female passenger identified as Adesuwat Bright was shot in the left shoulder, while other passengers were abducted.

Upon receiving the distress call, the Divisional Police Officer mobilised his men, including Police Mobile Force operatives and local vigilantes, to the scene.

The injured victim was rushed to CUSTECH Hospital, Okene, for treatment.

The combined security team later engaged the hoodlums in a gun duel inside the bush, forcing them to abandon eight of the victims, who were rescued unhurt.

However, the kidnappers escaped with two other passengers.

The police said a manhunt and bush combing operations are ongoing to rescue the remaining victims and apprehend the suspects.

Security forces rescue eight kidnapped passengers in Kogi, hunt for two others

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Crime

Mob kills three suspected kidnappers in Edo

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Mob kills three suspected kidnappers in Edo

By: Zagazola Makama

Three suspected kidnappers have been killed by a mob in Emu Orakwan community, Esan South-East Local Government Area of Edo State.

Sources said that the incident occurred at about 5 p.m. on Oct. 6, when hunters and farmers in the area sighted the suspects at Akabueze camp.

The suspects were said to be among those who allegedly murdered a woman identified as Mrs. Ogbona on Oct. 1.

It was gathered that upon receiving the information, villagers and farmers mobilised and descended on the suspects, inflicting severe injuries on them before the arrival of security operatives.

Army troops accompanied by police personnel, moved swiftly to the scene and met the suspects at the point of death.

They were immediately taken to the General Hospital, where they were confirmed dead.

Their remains have been deposited at Imiuwuguina Mortuary, while investigation into the incident is ongoing

Mob kills three suspected kidnappers in Edo

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