Crime
NDLEA Foiled Attempt to Smuggle 81 Pellets of Cocaine to Lebanon
NDLEA Foiled Attempt to Smuggle 81 Pellets of Cocaine to Lebanon
By: Michael Mike
A 59-year old businessman could have lost his life while trying to smuggle 81 pellets of cocaine, which he had ingested, to Beirut, Lebanon.
The man, Chijioke Igbokwe was saved by a surgery, exploratory laparotomy, which freed him of 57 out of 81 pellets of cocaine stuck in his stomach after seven days of ingesting the illicit substance in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
According to a statement by the spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi, Igbokwe was arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, at the arrival hall of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos during the inward clearance of passengers on Ethiopian Airlines flight on Sunday 26th January 2025.
He said Igbokwe was promptly taken for body scan, which revealed illicit drugs in his system, and was soon after taken into NDLEA custody for excretion observation.
Babafemi said investigation revealed that Igbokwe who claims to be into cloth business at Arena, Oshodi area of Lagos, departed Lagos on 22nd January to Addis Ababa where he ingested the 81 wraps of cocaine the following day 23rd January and boarded a flight to Beirut, Lebanon to deliver the illicit consignment for a fee of $3,000.
Upon his arrival in Beirut, he said he was refused entry because he had less than $2,000, the amount required to grant him entry. He was then deported to Addis Ababa where he attempted excreting the illicit drugs but could not. He thereafter proceeded to Lagos on Saturday 25th January with the consignment in his bowel. He was however arrested upon his arrival at the Lagos airport by NDLEA officers on 26th January.
After five days under excretion observation, he could only expel 24 pellets following initial medical intervention at the agency’s medical facility and the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) Ikeja.
Babafemi said with the clock ticking for him and the complication of other underlining medical conditions, the suspect was eventually admitted at the tertiary facility where he had to undergo exploratory laparotomy to extract the remaining 57 wraps of cocaine stuck in his stomach after his wife and brother endorsed the necessary consent forms last Thursday.
In all, a total of 81 pellets of the Class A drug with a gross weight of 1.943 kilogrammes were alleged to have being recovered from his stomach.
Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives in Lagos last Wednesday intercepted a consignment of 2,000 kilogrammes of Ghanaian Loud, a strain of cannabis produced in Ghana, at Lekki beach, where two suspects: Sunday Awoyede and Christopher Cletus attempted loading them into a truck. The suspects, the skunk shipment and the van were immediately taken into custody. Another suspect, Lawal Idris Olasunkanmi was also arrested same day with 55 kilogrammes skunk during a raid at his base in Mushin area of Lagos.
Babafemi said across the country, NDLEA commands and formations continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization lectures and advocacy visits to worship centres, schools, workplaces, palaces of traditional rulers and communities all through the past week.
Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd) while commending the officers and men of MMIA Strategic Command for their vigilance and professionalism in handling Chijioke Igbokwe’s case, warned those involved in the illicit drug trade that they’re not only destroying the lives of others, but equally putting their own lives at great risk.
He equally applauded the Lagos State Strategic Command for blocking the huge consignment of skunk from coming into the country, and recognized the concerted efforts of their compatriots in all the commands across the country for intensifying the WADA social advocacy lectures and sensitization activities to create a balance in drug supply and demand reduction efforts of the agency.
NDLEA Foiled Attempt to Smuggle 81 Pellets of Cocaine to Lebanon
Troops Arrest Suspected Assailant, Recover Arms in Kaduna Operation
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA have arrested a suspected assailant and recovered firearms following an attack on forest guards and hunters in Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Security sources said the operation was carried out on April 23 at about 9:35 a.m. by troops of Sector 7 of Operation ENDURING PEACE (OPEP), who responded to reports of attackers withdrawing towards Jaginde Forest after the incident at Gidan Waya.
The troops reportedly pursued the fleeing suspects towards Ungwan Maruwa, during which one suspect abandoned his motorcycle and escaped upon sighting the advancing troops.
A search of the area led to the recovery of one AK-47 rifle, one AK-49 rifle, and a motorcycle, among other items.
The sources added that a follow-on operation conducted in Gidan Waya resulted in the arrest of a suspect identified as Ahmed Musa, who is believed to be linked to the attack on forest guards and hunters.
The arrested suspect is currently in custody and undergoing further investigation, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other members of the fleeing syndicate.
Security authorities reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining operations aimed at dismantling criminal networks and enhancing safety in Kaduna State.
Troops Arrest Suspected Assailant, Recover Arms in Kaduna Operation
Terrorists Kill Butchers’ Association Leader in Katsina, Troops Launch Pursuit
By: Zagazola Makama
Suspected terrorists have killed the leader of the Butchers Association of Nigeria, Ruwan Godiya branch, in an attack on the outskirts of Ruwan Godiya village in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State.
Security sources said troops of Sector 2 under Operation FANSAN YAMMA responded to the incident at about 1:25 p.m. on April 21 after receiving reports of terrorist activity in the area.
On arrival, the troops discovered that Sa’adu Amadu, identified as the leader of the local butchers’ association, had been shot dead in his compound by a suspected terrorist kingpin known as Dogo Musa.
The attackers were said to have fled the scene immediately after the killing.
Troops reportedly pursued the suspected assailants along their withdrawal route, but no contact was established.
The sources added that search operations and patrols have been intensified in the general area to track down the perpetrators and prevent further attacks.
Terrorists Kill Butchers’ Association Leader in Katsina, Troops Launch Pursuit
Troops Repel Multiple Terrorist Attacks, Rescue 15 Kidnap Victims in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have recorded a series of operational successes across several locations in Borno State, including the defeat of coordinated terrorist attacks, follow-up air interdiction operations, and the rescue of 15 abducted women and children.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that troops successfully repelled attacks on Kanama, Ngoshe and Banki communities without any adverse report, as the insurgents were decisively overpowered and forced to withdraw.
In a sustained offensive, additional air interdiction operations were conducted at Sowolwolo in the Sambisa Forest, where troops reportedly neutralised three terrorist groups, further degrading their fighting capability in the area.
Similarly, another air interdiction operation at Kaniram in the Mallam Fatori axis resulted in the neutralisation of scores of terrorists who were observed conducting burial activities following earlier precision strikes.
The sources added that troops of 26 Brigade conducted search-and-rescue operations towards the Maiduguri-Monguno axis, successfully rescuing a total of 15 women and children who had earlier been kidnapped by insurgents.
The rescued victims are currently receiving care and will be reunited with their families after preliminary procedures.
In a separate development, suspected elements of Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) fired projectiles towards Gwoza in a retaliatory action; however, no casualties or damage were recorded.
The sources described the series of coordinated operations as a significant boost to ongoing counter-insurgency efforts in the North-East, noting that troops continue to maintain pressure on terrorist elements across the theatre.
Troops Repel Multiple Terrorist Attacks, Rescue 15 Kidnap Victims in Borno
Violence in Borno Displaces Over 5,000 as Humanitarian Needs Surge in Pulka
Troops Arrest Suspected Assailant, Recover Arms in Kaduna Operation
Terrorists Kill Butchers’ Association Leader in Katsina, Troops Launch Pursuit
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