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NDLEA intercepts 1,274 parcels of Cocaine, Colorado in Lagos, 5.6m opioid pills in Kano

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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

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Herdsman, 36 cows shot dead in fresh unprovoked attack in Plateau

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Herdsman, 36 cows shot dead in fresh unprovoked attack in Plateau

By: Zagazola Makama

A herdsman has been killed and 36 cows shot dead by unknown assailants in a fresh attack at Ndinn village, Fan District of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.

Zagazola Makama report that the incident, which occurred on Monday evening, is the latest undocumented violent attacks that have continued to claim lives and property in parts of the state.

Witnesses said the attackers ambushed the herder, identified as Abubakar Alhaji Woda, while he was grazing his cattle, and shot him dead before opening fire on his herd, killing 36 cows on the spot.

Residents described the attack as unprovoked and expressed concern over the growing wave of insecurity in rural parts of Barkin Ladi and neighbouring local government areas.

They lamented that despite several similar attacks in recent weeks, no arrests have been made, and the perpetrators continue to operate with impunity.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the FUYODA Riyom chapter coordinator, Muhammad Saidu, described the attack as “a heartbreaking reminder of the persistent insecurity and injustice faced by peaceful Fulani communities in Plateau.”

“We strongly condemn this act of violence and call on the relevant authorities to ensure that justice is served,” Saidu said.

He prayed for the repose of the deceased’s soul and called on the government to take decisive steps to restore confidence among pastoral communities who continue to suffer silent losses in the ongoing communal crisis.

“May Almighty Allah grant Abubakar Alhaji Woda Jannatul Firdaus, forgive his shortcomings, and comfort his family with patience and strength during this difficult time,” he added.

However, as of the time of filing this report, there has been no official statement from the Plateau State Government or security agencies regarding the attack.

Zagazola report that the recurring cycle of violence in Plateau State has often been reported only from the angle of reprisals, while several attacks on herders go undocumented or receive limited attention.

Community leaders have called on security operatives to fish out the perpetrators and ensure justice is served to prevent further escalation of hostilities in the area.

Herdsman, 36 cows shot dead in fresh unprovoked attack in Plateau

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Again, Two Fulani women boy killed in fresh attack by Berom Militia along Mangu road, Plateau

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Again, Two Fulani women boy killed in fresh attack by Berom Militia along Mangu road, Plateau

By: Zagazola Makama

Armed men suspected to be members of a Berom militia have reportedly killed two Fulani women and a young boy in a fresh attack along the Mangu Road, near the NYSC orientation camp in Plateau State.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the victims were travelling in a commercial vehicle on Wednesday evening when they were stopped by the attackers, forced out of the car, and shot dead on the spot.

The incident is the latest in what residents describe as a disturbing and unprovoked pattern of targeted attacks against peaceful Fulani communities in parts of Plateau, particularly in Mangu, Barkin Ladi, and Riyom local government areas.

Community sources lamented that such attacks have become recurrent but rarely attract public condemnation or decisive government response, unlike reprisal incidents that often dominate media headlines.

They accused the state authorities of selective silence and inaction, noting that despite the frequency of these killings, little effort has been made to arrest or prosecute the perpetrators, many of whom are reportedly well known in the affected communities.

A youth leader in the area, who pleaded anonymity for security reasons, said the persistent attacks were pushing the communities toward despair.

“We have lost count of our people killed in unprovoked assaults. Sadly, the moment there is a reprisal, that is when the world takes notice. The government must rise above bias and protect everyone equally,” he said.

Security sources confirmed increased tension in the area following the latest killings, warning that unless prompt measures are taken, reprisal attacks could further escalate the fragile security situation in the state.

The Government of the state and Plateau State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement as of the time of filing this report.

Again, Two Fulani women boy killed in fresh attack by Berom Militia along Mangu road, Plateau

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Bandits abduct 30 villagers in Zamfara

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Bandits abduct 30 villagers in Zamfara

By: Zagazola Makama

Armed bandits have abducted 30 people during an attack on Zamfarawa village in Zugu District, Bukkuyum Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

Zagazola Makama report that the attack occurred on Oct. 7 at about 2:20 p.m., when a large number of bandits stormed the community, shooting sporadically to scare residents.

The hoodlums were said to have whisked away 30 villagers to an unknown destination.

Following the incident, security forces have intensified efforts to trace and rescue the abducted victims.
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