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
Crime
Troops intensify crackdown on gunrunners fuelling banditry in Plateau

Troops intensify crackdown on gunrunners fuelling banditry in Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
In the fight against the hydra-headed menace of banditry, troops of 3 Division/Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE (OPEP) have recorded a major breakthrough in Plateau, neutralising a notorious gunrunner and recovering a cache of arms and ammunition.
The feat, achieved between Sept. 4 and 6, highlights the military’s growing resolve to dismantle the criminal logistics networks that have long sustained armed violence in the North-Central.
The gunrunner, described as a “high-value target” by security sources, had allegedly played a critical role in supplying bandits with rifles, magazines, and other logistics across Plateau and neighbouring states.
His neutralisation, officials say, has dealt a heavy blow to the illicit supply chain that has prolonged insecurity in the region.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that credible intelligence led troops to track the suspect to a hideout where he was receiving treatment for gunshot wounds on Sept. 4. He was swiftly apprehended and later confessed to his role as a logistics supplier, even agreeing to lead troops to his arms cache.
Two days later, on Sept. 6, troops launched a follow-up operation at the identified hideout. The mission, however, was anything but routine. As troops closed in, they came under heavy fire from the suspect’s gang members, resulting in a fierce exchange.
In the chaos, the gunrunner attempted to escape but was neutralised by the troops’ superior firepower. His cohorts, badly shaken by the encounter, fled the scene with gunshot wounds.
The troops subsequently combed the area, uncovering the concealed weapons: two AK-47 rifles and two magazines, which are now in custody.
The recovery, though modest in numbers, represents something bigger in the larger security equation: the deliberate targeting of supply chains that keep bandits armed and emboldened.
The bandit gangs rely not only on local recruits but also on a shadowy network of financiers, informants, and arms dealers. By dismantling this network, the military is effectively cutting off the oxygen that sustains criminal groups.
Troops intensify crackdown on gunrunners fuelling banditry in Plateau
Crime
Troops crush ISWAP terrorists after deadly attack on Darajamal community in Borno

Troops crush ISWAP terrorists after deadly attack on Darajamal community in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Residents of Darajamal village in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State are still reeling from a bloody attack launched by Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists, even as combined troops of Operation Hadin Kai responded swiftly to neutralise the perpetrators.
Zagazola Makama reports that the incident occurred on Friday night when the terrorists stormed the remote community, unleashing violence that claimed the lives of several villagers.
Witnesses said the attackers invaded the community and opened fire indiscriminately, causing panic among residents who fled into nearby bushes for safety.
A security source told Zagazola Makama that troops of Operation Hadin Kai, supported by the Air Component, immediately mobilised after receiving distress calls from the area.
“Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft were deployed and tracked the terrorists as they attempted to flee northwards from Darajamal after the attack. The aircrew confirmed the presence of friendly forces in the area before engaging the fleeing terrorists with successive airstrikes.
“Over 30 of the insurgents were neutralised in the strikes, while ground reinforcements secured the community shortly after the bombardment,” the source said, as more terrorists fatalities are still being counted.
It was gathered that the coordinated air and ground operation prevented the insurgents from regrouping, forcing survivors of the attack to retreat deeper into the Sambisa forest.
Security sources confirmed that calm had been restored to Darajamal, adding that search operations were ongoing in nearby villages to reassure displaced residents and forestall any reprisal attacks.
Meanwhile, humanitarian workers have expressed concern over the plight of survivors who lost loved ones and properties in the initial assault before troops intervened. Aid groups say immediate relief, including food, medical support, and psychosocial care, will be critical for the affected community.
Governor Babagana Zulum and the Military High Command are expected to visit Darajamal to access the current situation.
Troops crush ISWAP terrorists after deadly attack on Darajamal community in Borno
Crime
Troops arrest terrorist informants, logistics suppliers in Sokoto

Troops arrest terrorist informants, logistics suppliers in Sokoto
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA have arrested two suspected terrorist informants and logistics suppliers in Gudu Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the suspects were apprehended on Sept. 4 during a fighting patrol to Yaka village by a quick response team.
The suspects, according to the source, are in troop custody for further investigation and action.
Troops arrest terrorist informants, logistics suppliers in Sokoto
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