Connect with us

Crime

NDLEA Detains Two Wanted Drug Barons, Arrests Two Others for Ingesting 175 Wraps of Heroin

Published

on

NDLEA Detains Two Wanted Drug Barons, Arrests Two Others for Ingesting 175 Wraps of Heroin

By: Michael Mike


Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have taken into custody two wanted alleged heads of transnational criminal organisations with multi-billion-naira worth of illicit drugs and assets seized from them.

According to a statement on Sunday by the spokesman of NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, their arrest was after weeks of intelligence-led operations across the country and outside Nigeria.

He revealed that the arrest of the wanted drug lords came on the heels of the interception of consignments of cocaine and heroin buried in the bellies of two traffickers heading to Paris, France and Doha, Qatar by NDLEA officers at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

He said operatives at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos last Tuesday succeeded in taking into custody, Hakeem Salami, the arrowhead of “Tajudeen Babatunde Abioye Transnational Criminal Organization” involved in the illicit trade of several narcotics including cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and ephedrine between Nigeria, Brazil, Ghana, South Africa, Mozambique, and Europe.

Salami, was said to have fled Nigeria to South Africa upon the arrest of a member of his syndicate, Suleiman Oba at the Lagos airport on August 25 over attempt to export 25.1 kilogrammes of ephedrine to South Africa.

Babafemi said Hakeem Salami was however smoked out of hiding through partnership with South African authorities and other intelligence and investigative mechanisms, while some of his luxury vehicles have been seized and his home in Surulere, Lagos sealed, other members of the cartel already in custody include Suleiman and Godwin Edet Mathew.

According to Babafemi, Salami in his statement claimed he was into the importation of building materials from China to Nigeria and used to sell gold in South Africa before delving into the illicit drug trade about two years ago.

He said the alleged head of another cartel, Okafor Ikechukwu (aka Jantu) and his wife, Okafor Ifeyinwa were also taken into custody on Thursday 5th October when NDLEA operatives raided their hideout at 9 Awa Street, Ago Palace, Okota area of Lagos where they recovered 27.566 kilogrammes of methamphetamine concealed in a blue box and two sacks, ready for export to Europe and Asia.

He said their Lexus RX350 marked ABJ 512 AY parked in the house was also seized during the operation, noting that their arrest followed weeks of intelligence gathering about the activities of the criminal network.

Babafemi, said at the Abuja airport, operatives on Friday 6th October arrested a drug trafficker, Nwofor Ejiogu, 45, during the outward clearance of Qatar Airways flight QR 1432 to Doha. After body scan revealed he ingested cocaine, he was placed under observation during which he excreted 75 pellets of cocaine weighing 1.653 kilogrammes and at the point of his arrest, Nwofor who was the last passenger to board his flight allegedly offered to compromise an NDLEA officer with $3,000 to free him.

The spokesman said the following day, Saturday 7th October, another trafficker, Nwufo Okwudili, 45, was also arrested while attempting to board Lufthansa Airlines flight LH 0595 to Paris, France via Frankfurt, Germany. After being put through body scanner, he was taken into recovery room where he excreted 96 wraps of heroin he ingested with a total weight of 1.413 kilogrammes.

Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives on patrol along Okene -Lokoja-Abuja expressway last Tuesday intercepted a commercial bus coming from Lagos to Kano. A search of the bus led to the seizure $4,880,000 and CFA57,000,000 suspected to be counterfeits.

In Sokoto, the Federal High Court in the state capital presided over by Justice Ahmad Mahmud has sentenced an acting district head, Alhaji Umar Mohammed (aka Dan Bala) to five and a half years in jail on four count charges of possession and dealing in 436.38 kilogrammes of cannabis and 7 kilogrammes psychotropic drugs brought against him by NDLEA in October 2022. He was convicted and sentenced to two years on each of counts 1 and 2 with an option of N1 million fine, and eight months on each of counts 3 and 4 without an option of fine.

Operatives in Edo state last Wednesday stormed the Orue forest, Owan West local government area where they arrested Happy Akashili, 37, and Solomon Uwesue, 40 in a hut located inside a cannabis farm measuring 2.367308 hectares which was destroyed, with 92 kilogrammes already processed skunk recovered, while 49 kilogrammes of same substance were also seized at Ogbeturu camp.

Babafemi said the Commands across the country balanced their drug supply reduction operations with War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, advocacy campaigns to schools, markets, worship centres and communities. Some of these include: WADA sensitisation lecture on Drug Use and Mental Health for students of 15 secondary schools in Ibadan metropolis at the University of Ibadan, Oyo state; WADA sensitisation lecture for students of Ascension College, Iworo Imeke, Badagry Lagos; WADA sensitisation lecture at Modern Comprehensive College, Amokwe, Udi LGA, Enugu; WADA sensitisation lecture for students of National Secondary school, Awka; Students of JIBWIS Islamic Science Secondary school, Herwagana, Gombe; students of Government College, Makurdi, Benue; students of Government secondary school (Boys), Kafin Maiyaki, Kano and students of JNI Special Model primary School, Gusau, Zamfara.

The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Retd) while commending the efforts of the NAIA, MMIA, Kogi, Sokoto and Edo Commands of the agency as well as the Special Operations Unit targeting the drug cartels, for jobs well done in the past week, assured that officers and men of the agency will never let down their guards no matter the tricks and distractions orchestrated against it by criminal networks.

NDLEA Detains Two Wanted Drug Barons, Arrests Two Others for Ingesting 175 Wraps of Heroin

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Crime

Army says no incident recorded along Abuja-Kaduna corridor due to troops’ sustained Operations – Commander

Published

on

Army says no incident recorded along Abuja-Kaduna corridor due to troops’ sustained Operations – Commander

By: Zagazola Makama

The Commander, Sub Sector 4, Operation FANSAN YANMA, Sector 1, 1 Division Nigerian Army, Col. I.R. Adom, says sustained military operations and proactive deployment of troops have ensured that no major security incident has been recorded along the Abuja-Kaduna road and rail corridor in the last four years.

Adom stated this during a media tour of military formations in Kaduna organised for defence correspondents.

He said the primary responsibility of Sub Sector 4 was to provide security along the Abuja-Kaduna expressway and rail corridor, as well as adjoining communities, critical national infrastructure and other strategic facilities within its area of responsibility.

According to him, troops have maintained relentless pressure on bandits and other criminal elements operating around the corridor, leading to improved security and freedom of movement for commuters.

“Our primary responsibility is the security of the Abuja-Kaduna road and rail corridor, as well as the adjoining critical national infrastructure, communities and associated facilities on the corridor.

“So far, the operation has been going on very well and, as you can attest, the road has remained quite secure.

“For about two years now, there has been no major security incident on the road. This is due to the proactive actions of the troops deployed on both the road and rail corridors,” he said.

The commander added that troops also respond swiftly to distress calls from communities located along the corridor and within the operational area.

He disclosed that troops recently rescued some kidnapped victims along the Katari-Gurara axis, an area that had previously experienced security challenges.

“About two weeks ago, we rescued some kidnap victims along the Katari-Gurara road. That is another corridor where we have been working hard to contain security threats.

“Today, people can travel from Katari to Gurara and from Gurara to Katari without any major disturbances,” he said.

Adom said troops routinely conduct offensive operations against criminal elements and were preparing for another operation at the time of the media visit.

On the activities of bandit groups within the area, the commander said troops had continued to neutralise criminal elements whenever encountered during operations.

He also confirmed a recent clash between rival bandit groups along the Rijana and Gwagwada axes.

“There was an infighting among some bandit groups along the Rijana axis and also the Gwagwada axis.

“Some bandits were neutralised during the clash. It was an infighting between two groups over cattle rustling activities.

“Some of the corpses were later recovered and brought for burial,” he said.

Adom assured residents of the military’s commitment to sustaining aggressive operations aimed at denying bandits freedom of action and maintaining security along the strategic Abuja-Kaduna corridor and surrounding communities.

He urged members of the public to continue supporting security agencies with credible information to enhance ongoing efforts to combat insecurity in the area.

Army says no incident recorded along Abuja-Kaduna corridor due to troops’ sustained Operations – Commander

Continue Reading

Crime

Troops Neutralise Suspected Terrorist Scout Ambush Operation in Borno

Published

on

Troops Neutralise Suspected Terrorist Scout Ambush Operation in Borno

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of the Nigerian Army have neutralised a suspected terrorist scout during an ambush operation in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State.

Military sources said the operation was carried out at about 10:15 p.m. on June 6 by troops of the 73 Battalion (Main) following intelligence reports indicating the presence and movement of suspected terrorists around Malari village.

According to the sources, the troops deployed to the area and laid an ambush after receiving information suggesting that insurgents were massing within the vicinity.

During the operation, the troops reportedly observed an individual suspected to be conducting reconnaissance approaching from the direction of Malari village.

The sources said the suspect was challenged and ordered to stop but allegedly continued advancing toward the troops’ position.

The troops subsequently engaged the suspect, who was neutralised during the encounter.

The operation forms part of ongoing counter-insurgency efforts aimed at preventing attacks on military positions and communities within the North-East region.

Military authorities said troops remain on heightened alert and are continuing surveillance and offensive operations across the area to deny insurgents freedom of movement.

Troops Neutralise Suspected Terrorist Scout Ambush Operation in Borno

Continue Reading

Crime

Troops Arrest Suspected Kidnappers’ Informant, Recover Pistol in Plateau

Published

on

Troops Arrest Suspected Kidnappers’ Informant, Recover Pistol in Plateau

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Sector 8 of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) have arrested a suspected kidnappers’ informant and recovered a pistol during an operation in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.

Security sources said the suspect, identified as Yahaya Haruna, was arrested in the early hours of June 7 at Mungi village following intelligence linking him to criminal elements operating in the area.

According to the sources, troops of Sub-Sector 81 deployed at Gyambwas carried out the operation at about 12:15 a.m. after receiving credible information on the suspect’s alleged activities.

The sources said a search conducted at the suspect’s residence led to the recovery of one pistol believed to be connected to criminal operations.

“Acting on intelligence, troops arrested the suspect and conducted a search of his house, during which one pistol was recovered,” the sources said.

They added that the suspect and the recovered weapon were taken into custody for further investigation.

Security officials said preliminary investigations were ongoing to establish the suspect’s alleged links with kidnapping syndicates and determine the source of the recovered firearm.

They noted that efforts were also being intensified to identify and apprehend other members of the criminal network.

The arrest forms part of ongoing security operations aimed at disrupting kidnapping networks and dismantling criminal support structures across Plateau State.

Authorities urged residents to continue supporting security agencies with credible and timely information that could assist ongoing efforts to combat kidnapping and other forms of criminality.

Troops Arrest Suspected Kidnappers’ Informant, Recover Pistol in Plateau

Continue Reading

Trending

Verified by MonsterInsights