Crime
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.
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
Exclusive: How bandit kingpin Jankare was killed in Katsina
By: Zagazola Makama
Fresh fact have emerged how the Notorious bandit kingpin, Kachalla Abdurrahman Jankare, was killed by a rival in an internal dispute in Tsaskiya village, Safana Local Government Area of Katsina State.
Reliable security and local sources Zagazola Makama that Jankare was gunned down on Thursday by a fellow bandit identified as Nazanku, a trusted ally of another notorious bandit leader, Dan Ori.
The incident, sources said, stemmed from a feud over the seizure of a rifle and a bag containing magazines belonging to Nazanku.
“Last week, Jankare seized Nazanku’s rifle, and just yesterday, he also took a bag in which he kept magazines. This provoked Nazanku, who confronted him and shot him dead,” one of the sources said.
Only seven people reportedly attended Jankare’s funeral prayer before he was buried later in the day.
Until his death, Kachalla Jankare was one of the most feared lieutenants of the late Kachalla Usman Modi Modi and was linked to several deadly attacks and kidnappings in Dutsinma, Safana, and Kurfi Local Government Areas of Katsina State.
His death is said to have triggered renewed tension among rival bandit factions across the northwest forest axis.
Exclusive: How bandit kingpin Jankare was killed in Katsina
JNIM claims first attack in Kwara, four months after announcing new brigade
By: Zagazola Makama
Al-Qaeda–linked militant group, Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), has claimed responsibility for an attack in Kwara State, its first in Nigeria, four months after announcing the establishment of a new brigade in the country.
According to intelligence sources, the attack reportedly occurred in the northern part of Kwara, along the border corridor linking Niger and Kogi States.
JNIM, which operates mainly in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, announced in June the creation of a new brigade for Nigeria, raising concerns about a possible southward expansion of jihadist influence.
Zagazola said that the claim aligns with earlier intelligence warnings of cross-border infiltration through smuggling routes connecting Benin Republic and Niger.
“JNIM’s latest statement describes the attack as the debut operation of its Nigerian brigade. If verified, this would indicate a dangerous evolution of the regional threat landscape,” the source said.
Security operatives in Kwara, Niger, and Kogi States should intensify patrols and surveillance in response to the development, with reinforcements deployed to border communities.
Military and intelligence agencies should work to identify possible linkages between JNIM operatives and local extremist networks.
The incident comes amid heightened regional insecurity and the continued fragmentation of terror groups across the Sahel and Lake Chad Basin.
JNIM claims first attack in Kwara, four months after announcing new brigade
ISWAP ambush mobile police patrol team in Yobe
By: Zagazola Makama
Suspected members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) on Wednesday ambushed a mobile police patrol team along the Bara–Gulani axis of Yobe State, inflicting injuries on two officers and carting away a rifle.
Zagazola learnt the ambush occurred at about 5:00 p.m. while the team, comprising operatives from 19 PMF on special duty in Bara and 79 PMF Buni Yadi, was responding to a distress call from Kojoli village in Gulani Local Government Area.
It was gathered that the officers had been alerted by residents after armed herders reportedly invaded local rice farms and destroyed crops. The patrol team, led by ASP Sunday Yunana, moved to the scene but came under heavy attack from the assailants.
The insurgents, believed to be operating under the ISWAP faction, opened fire using assault rifles and other weapons before retreating into the bush.
Two personnel, identified as Sgt. Abdullahi Aminu and Cpl. Aliyu Suleiman, sustained machete injuries during the exchange, while one of their rifles was initially seized by the attackers.
However, the team reportedly fought back, recovering the stolen weapon and dispersing the attackers after an intense gun battle. A large herd of cattle suspected to have been used by the assailants to cover their movement was also recovered.
The wounded officers were evacuated to the General Hospital in Bara for treatment, while security reinforcements were deployed to the area to forestall further attacks.
ISWAP ambush mobile police patrol team in Yobe
Mali drone strikes kills dozens of civilians at wedding ceremony
Gombe Govt. prioritises economic growth, job creation in 2026 budget
The resurgence of coups and the uncertain future of democracy in Africa
Roger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
POLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
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
-
Opinions4 years ago
POLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
News2 years agoEYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
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.
-
News6 months agoFAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
Opinions2 years agoTinubu,Shettima: The epidemic of economic, insecurity in Nigeria
