Crime
NDLEA Foils Drug Smuggling Attempts at Lagos Airport, Seizes Large Consignments Across Nigeria
NDLEA Foils Drug Smuggling Attempts at Lagos Airport, Seizes Large Consignments Across Nigeria
By: Michael Mike
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted multiple consignments of illicit drugs concealed in unusual ways, including inside carton walls, winter jackets and body cream containers, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport and a courier company in Lagos.
The anti-narcotics agency also reported major seizures and arrests during coordinated operations across several states including Kano State, Kaduna State, Edo State, Oyo State, Federal Capital Territory, Taraba State and Adamawa State.
According to the spokesman of the agency, Femi Babafemi, desperate attempts by drug trafficking organisations to smuggle opioids and methamphetamine to European countries were thwarted through intelligence-led operations.
He said in a statement on Sunday that at the Lagos airport, NDLEA operatives arrested 37-year-old Friday Ehianuka last Friday,, while attempting to board an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Rome. A search of his luggage uncovered 2,698 pills of tramadol 225mg concealed inside containers of skin-lightening body cream.
Ehianuka, who resides in Milan, was said to have admitted he was promised payment in euros if he successfully delivered the drugs.
In another operation on March 18, NDLEA officers at the departure hall of the airport intercepted Christian Agbonhese, 38, who was preparing to board a Lufthansa flight to Milan. A thorough search of his luggage revealed 28,470 pills of opioids hidden inside two large winter jackets. The seized drugs included 23,150 pills of tramadol 225mg, 4,000 tablets of tapentadol 250mg and 1,320 pills of tramadol 100mg.
Elsewhere in Lagos, NDLEA operatives at a courier firm intercepted two parcels containing one kilogramme of “Loud,” a potent strain of cannabis shipped from the United States to Nigeria. Another parcel containing 158 grammes of methamphetamine concealed in the walls of a carton and destined for New Zealand was also seized.
In Kano, two suspects were arrested on March 18 with large quantities of skunk, a strong cannabis strain. Abdulkadir Mamuda, 35, was apprehended at Dan-Tsalle with 102.5 kilograms of the substance, while Uche Festus, 47, was arrested at Naibawa Gabas with 95.5 kilogrammes.
A raid in the Otto area of Ijora in Lagos led to the recovery of 21,737 bottles of codeine-based syrup, while two suspects — Chidiebere Anigbogu and Paul Nwagbara — were arrested on the Third Mainland Bridge with 8,380 bottles of the same substance.
In Edo State, NDLEA operatives recovered 97.5 kilogrammes of skunk from the residence of Akeem Idde, 37, in Ojah, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area.
Similarly, officers in Abuja intercepted a commercial bus along the Gwagwalada Expressway, recovering 91,840 pills of tramadol hidden inside the vehicle’s body compartments. The driver, 27-year-old Aminu Ali, was taken into custody.
In Oyo State, a suspect identified as Bankole Bari was arrested on March 17 at Oke-Oyan in Ibarapa Local Government Area with 71.2 kilogrammes of skunk believed to have been smuggled into Nigeria from Benin through the Oyan River.
Further seizures were recorded in Kaduna State where NDLEA operatives recovered 586,000 pills of tramadol and Exol-5 from Lawal Anas along the Kaduna–Zaria highway. Another suspect, Musa Shuaibu, was arrested at the same location with 7,290 tablets of tramadol 225mg.
In Taraba State, NDLEA officers intercepted Aliyu Adamu along the Takum–Jalingo highway with 77,660 capsules of tramadol being transported to Gombe State.
Meanwhile, in Yola, six suspects were arrested in connection with the seizure of 82.8 kilograms of tramadol concealed in a truck. Those arrested include Ramatu Aliyu, Jungudo Abdullahi, Najid Abdullahi, Musa Mohammed, Usman Abdulrahim and Musa Mohammed.
Beyond enforcement operations, the NDLEA said it also intensified its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaigns across schools and communities nationwide.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd.) commended officers of the agency’s commands involved in the arrests and seizures. He urged them to sustain the balanced strategy of enforcement and public sensitisation in tackling drug abuse and trafficking across the country.
NDLEA Foils Drug Smuggling Attempts at Lagos Airport, Seizes Large Consignments Across Nigeria
Crime
Terrorism: DSS Secures Another Death Sentence, As Katsina Court Convicts Female Courier Arrested With Large Arms Cache
Breaking…..
Terrorism: DSS Secures Another Death Sentence, As Katsina Court Convicts Female Courier Arrested With Large Arms Cache
By: Michael Mike
A Federal High Court in Katsina State has sentenced a female arms courier to death by hanging after the Department of State Services (DSS) successfully prosecuted her for conspiracy to commit, aid and abet terrorism. This is the second death sentence secured by the DSS in the month of June.
The convict, Hauwa’u Mukhtar, was arrested by the DSS on September 16, 2023, at Jibia Motor Park, Katsina State, while attempting to transport 438 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition to one Ado, a notorious bandit kingpin operating in Dunburum Forest, Zamfara State.
On 3rd June, a Federal High Court in Abuja sentenced four men arrested by the DSS to death by hanging for their roles in the June 5, 2022, terror attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, which claimed over 40 lives.
Security sources revealed that, in Katsina, the DSS filed a two-count charge against Hauwa’u Mukhtar
before High Court No. 3, Katsina, presided over by Justice A. B. Bawale.
After evaluating the totality of evidence, witness testimonies, tendered exhibits, and final addresses of both prosecution and defence counsel, the court held that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, finding Mukhtar guilty on both counts.
The judge subsequently sentenced the convict to death by hanging in accordance with the provisions of the Penal Code Law of Katsina State, 2021.
“The successful prosecution is a significant milestone for the DSS, demonstrating its capacity to not only intercept criminal actors but to follow through with decisive legal action that results in landmark convictions.’, stated the source.
It could be recalled that, about a month ago, a Federal High Court in Abuja convicted and sentenced one Halima Haliru Umar to 20 years imprisonment for unlawful possession of 302 rounds of AK-47 live ammunition and attempting to provide support for acts of terrorism marking the second conviction of a female arms courier secured by the DSS this year.
Terrorism: DSS Secures Another Death Sentence, As Katsina Court Convicts Female Courier Arrested With Large Arms Cache
Troops Repel Terrorists in Yobe, Recover Communication Equipment and Bicycles
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops and local vigilante members have repelled an attack by suspected terrorists in Kanama, Geidam Local Government Area of Yobe State, following intelligence reports on insurgent movements in the area.
Security sources said the operation was conducted in the early hours of June 15 after troops of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Kanama, supported by vigilante personnel, acted on credible intelligence indicating the presence of suspected ISWAP/JAS terrorists within the community.
The joint patrol team reportedly made contact with the insurgents at about 3:15 a.m., leading to an exchange of gunfire.
According to the sources, the terrorists were forced to retreat towards the Sambisa axis after coming under pressure from the security forces.
Items recovered from the scene included nine bicycles, one Baofeng radio set, a mobile phone, three pairs of slippers and three locally made water bottles believed to have been abandoned by the fleeing insurgents.
One member of the vigilante group sustained a gunshot wound during the encounter and was evacuated to a medical facility for treatment.
The recovered items have been taken into custody for further exploitation and investigation.
Military authorities said troops remain on heightened alert and are continuing operations aimed at denying terrorist groups freedom of movement across the North-East region.
Troops Repel Terrorists in Yobe, Recover Communication Equipment and Bicycles
Troops of Operation Enduring Peace Arrest Two Suspected Drug Peddlers in Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) have arrested two suspected drug peddlers during a stop-and-search operation at Sabon Gari checkpoint in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Security sources said the suspects, identified as Mr. Jerry Joshua, 45, and Mr. Williams Nwaso, 54, were intercepted at about 6:00 a.m. on June 15 at the checkpoint.
The troops, who were conducting routine security checks, reportedly discovered a large quantity of substances suspected to be cannabis sativa in their possession.
The suspects and the recovered exhibits have been taken into custody for further investigation and possible prosecution.
Security authorities said the arrest is part of ongoing efforts by Operation Enduring Peace to curb drug trafficking and other criminal activities within Plateau State.
Investigations are ongoing.
Troops of Operation Enduring Peace Arrest Two Suspected Drug Peddlers in Plateau
Terrorism: DSS Secures Another Death Sentence, As Katsina Court Convicts Female Courier Arrested With Large Arms Cache
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