Crime
NDLEA intercepts 1,274 parcels of Cocaine, Colorado in Lagos, 5.6m opioid pills in Kano
NDLEA intercepts 1,274 parcels of Cocaine, Colorado in Lagos, 5.6m opioid pills in Kano
By: Michael Mike
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have intercepted at the Tincan Seaport in Lagos, large consignments of cocaine and Colorado, a strong strain of cannabis, concealed in containerized household items and vehicles imported from Durban, South Africa and Canada.
The spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi, in a statement on Sunday said the success of the exercise followed coordinated intelligence and months of tracking of the containers by three special units of NDLEA, stating that the illicit drugs along with arms, ammunition and sundry military effects were seized during joint examination of the three containers by the agency’s officers and their counterparts from Customs Service and other security agencies between last Thursday and Friday.
He revealed that some of the agency’s sniffer dogs were also deployed to help identify locations and bags used in concealing the illicit items, noting that
some of the items recovered from the containers include: 1, 274 parcels of cocaine and Colorado with a total weight of 884.09 kilogrammes; four pistols; 197 rounds of 9mm ammunition, 49 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, 275 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, 14 rounds of 9mm ammunition and sundry military personnel effects as well as some chemicals in kegs.
He noted that with the exception of 32.5 kilogrammes shipment of Colorado that came in used vehicles from Canada, the rest of the items were found in two of three containers that arrived the Tincan port from Durban, South Africa onboard a vessel marked MSC RESILIENT III and discharged on new year eve, 31st December 2023.
Babafemi also disclosed that a suspect linked to one of the containers, UACU 5348336, bearing the 32.5 kilogrammes Colorado, 41-year-old Akara Chibugo has already been tracked and arrested by NDLEA operatives.
He added that two vigilant freight agents and a traveler escaped being roped into two drug trafficking operations by desperate traffickers at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, stating that the two agents were contacted to send a consignment of 1 kilogramme cannabis concealed in tins of beverage to Turkey but chose to submit the shipment to NDLEA checks before processing the cargo, noting that the psychoactive substance was later discovered to be hidden inside the shipment.
Babafemi said, in the same vein, NDLEA operatives last Friday arrested one Okosun Punitt, the consignee of a consignment of tramadol concealed in a bottle of dietary supplements, which a staff of Pathfinder International Ltd, Ajuzieogu Ugochukwu attempted sending through an intending passenger on Ibom Air to Accra, Ghana at the Lagos airport last Tuesday. He added that a video of the face-off between the passenger and Ajuzieogu later went viral after the vigilant passenger suspected the consignment contained illicit substances.
He said both Ajuzieogu and the exhibit were later transferred to NDLEA last Thursday by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) for investigation, stating that preliminary findings by NDLEA showed the parcel contained 50 pills of tramadol 225mg concealed in a bottle of dietary supplements, and that a follow up operation by the agency led to the arrest of Okosun upon his return from Ghana on Friday, whom in his statement confirmed ownership of the drug.
Babafemi said in Kano, no fewer than 5,653,000 pills of tramadol 250mg and exol-5 were seized from three suspects, noting that while Nura Abdullahi, 38, and Tahir Mukhtar, 42, were arrested at Bacharawa area of Kano with 5,404,000 pills of tramadol 250mg on Sunday 14th January, Yusuf Umar, 50, was nabbed at Gadar Tamburawa area of the state the previous day Saturday 13th January with 249,000 tablets of exol-5 by NDLEA operatives.
In Lagos, two suspects: Ali Abubakar and Murtala Sani were arrested at Ojodu Berger area last Tuesday with 110kg of cannabis sativa while 69 kilogrammes of same substance was recovered from the hideout of a fleeing suspect in Akerele, Surulere same day. Babafemi added that not less than 2, 800 bottles of codeine-based cough syrup were recovered by NDLEA officers last Saturday during a raid operation at Aleita, FCT, Abuja, stating that the suspected owner of the consignment, Jideofor Sochima is still at large.
Babafemi said while a total of 100,510 pills of opioids were seized from a suspect, Ike Emmanuel, 35, last Thursday at Dan-Anacha village, Taraba state, NDLEA operatives in Abia state arrested 60-year-old Joseph Isiguzoro, as well as Emmanuel Eugene and Malachi Ndu in parts of Abia state with 34,200 pills of opioids. He said Isiguzoro was equally found with monetary exhibit totalling N2,885,045 only.
Babafemi disclosed that the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy campaign of the agency continued in equal measure in schools, markets, worship places and others across the country in the past week.
Meanwhile, while commending the officers and men of Tincan, MMIA, Abia, Taraba, Lagos, Kano and FCT Commands as well as the special units of the agency for the arrests and seizures of the past week, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Retd) urged them and their compatriots across all formations of the agency to remain focused and resolute in pursuit of the corporate goal of winning the war against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in Nigeria.
He further charged them to maintain the flame of collaboration with other law enforcement agencies and stakeholders in their areas of responsibility.
NDLEA intercepts 1,274 parcels of Cocaine, Colorado in Lagos, 5.6m opioid pills in Kano
NAPTIP, ICMPD Sensitise Students on Trafficking, Safe Migration in Abuja
By: Michael Mike
About 100 secondary school students in Abuja have been sensitised on the dangers of human trafficking, violence and irregular migration during the Safe Futures Awareness Day organised to commemorate the 2026 celebration of International Women’s Day.
The one-day school outreach programme was organised by the International Centre for Migration Policy Development in partnership with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons as part of efforts to educate young Nigerians on personal safety and safe migration practices.
The event, which brought together students, government officials and development partners, was designed to be interactive, accessible and informative, creating a safe space where young people could learn about trafficking risks, ask questions and gain knowledge to protect themselves and their peers.
Organisers said the outreach programme aimed to raise awareness among students about the dangers of human trafficking and how to recognise early warning signs. It also provided clear information on safe and legal migration pathways as opposed to irregular and risky routes that often expose individuals to exploitation.
Participants were further equipped with practical personal safety tips and encouraged to openly discuss issues related to trafficking, migration and online safety. The initiative also sought to build stronger awareness among students about the mandates of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons and the Nigeria Immigration Service in protecting young Nigerians from exploitation and ensuring safe cross-border movement.
Speaking at the programme, the Director-General of NAPTIP, Binta Bello, warned students to be cautious of offers promising quick wealth, overseas jobs or travel opportunities without proper documentation or verification.
According to her, traffickers often exploit the hopes and aspirations of young people by presenting deceptive opportunities that eventually lead to exploitation and loss of freedom.
“Traffickers prey on hope, desperation and lack of information. They promise fast money, travel or glamour, but what they deliver is pain, loss of freedom and danger,” she said.
Bello stressed that irregular migration may appear attractive but often exposes individuals to abuse, trafficking and broken promises.
She advised students to verify any opportunity that involves travelling abroad and to ensure such offers come with the necessary skills, valid contracts, verified employers and legal migration channels.
“If someone offers you a great job abroad, that may sound fantastic, but it must be safe. Offers that come without relevant skills, clear contracts, verified employers or legal migration channels can be traps rather than opportunities,” she cautioned.
The NAPTIP boss also reminded the students that traffickers often manipulate trust and that awareness and fact-checking remain critical in protecting themselves.
“Some of you may think it cannot happen to you because you are careful, but traffickers are clever and know how to manipulate trust. Being informed and checking facts protects you,” she added.
Bello encouraged the students to remain focused on education and skills development, assuring them that their future should never be compromised by unsafe opportunities.
“You are not commodities to be traded. Your safety, your dreams and your future are priceless. Keep learning, keep building your skills and pursue opportunities through safe and legal channels,” she said.
She also assured participants that NAPTIP, together with partners including the International Centre for Migration Policy Development and the Government of the Netherlands, would continue to strengthen efforts to protect Nigerians from trafficking and hold perpetrators accountable.
The Safe Futures Awareness Day is supported by the Ministry of Asylum and Migration of the Kingdom of the Netherlands under the Building and Environment Free of Human Trafficking and Violence Against Persons in Nigeria (TIPVAP NG) project.
Through discussions, presentations and interactive sessions, students were encouraged to recognise trafficking risks, understand safe migration processes and learn practical ways to protect themselves both online and offline.
Organisers expressed optimism that the knowledge shared during the programme would empower young Nigerians to make informed decisions and pursue their aspirations without falling victim to trafficking networks.
NAPTIP, ICMPD Sensitise Students on Trafficking, Safe Migration in Abuja
Troops arrest suspected ISWAP member while attempting to infiltrate Maiduguri
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have arrested a suspected member of Boko Haram/ISWAP in Borno while attempting to infiltrate Maiduguri.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the fighter known as Saina, was apprehended at about 4:42 p.m. on March 29 at a checkpoint in Kilo Papa area.
The arrest was carried out by troops of 21 Special Armoured Brigade and allied security operatives deployed at the checkpoint.
According to the sources, the suspect was intercepted while on transit to Maiduguri in a civilian vehicle and was found wearing a woodland camouflage trouser, raising suspicion.
Preliminary interrogation revealed that the suspect initially claimed to be a member of hybrid forces operating in Kumshe.
However, further questioning indicated that he is an active member of a terrorist group and was suspected to be on a reconnaissance mission.
The suspect has been handed over to military intelligence for detailed investigation.
Troops arrest suspected ISWAP member while attempting to infiltrate Maiduguri
Troops arrest suspected gunrunner, intercept 200 rounds of ammunition in kaduna
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA have arrested a suspected gunrunner and intercepted 200 rounds of ammunition in Zaria Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
A security source disclosed that the suspect was apprehended at about 3:15 a.m. on March 29 during a joint intelligence-led operation involving troops of 2 Battalion and a team from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
The source said the operation followed credible intelligence on the movement of the suspect, who was reportedly en route to Kaduna from Jos through Dambo community in Zaria.
“Troops swiftly established a snap checkpoint at Dambo, where the suspect was intercepted in possession of 200 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm ammunition,” the source said.
He added that the suspect has been handed over to ONSA for further investigation and necessary action.
The source noted that the arrest is part of ongoing efforts to curb the proliferation of illegal arms and ammunition, as well as disrupt criminal networks operating across the North-West and North-Central regions.
Troops arrest suspected gunrunner, intercept 200 rounds of ammunition in kaduna
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