Crime
NDLEA intercepts about N18 billion worth of drugs at Lagos, Port Harcourt Ports
NDLEA intercepts about N18 billion worth of drugs at Lagos, Port Harcourt Ports
By: Michael Mike
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted a total of 31, 124, 600 pills of tramadol 225mg and bottles of codeine-based syrup worth about N18 billion at both Port Harcourt and Apapa seaports.
According to a statement on Sunday by the spokesman of the agency, Femi Babafemi the seizures at both Port Complex, Onne, Rivers state and Tincan seaports in Apapa, Lagos, were made following intelligence processed by the agency on the movement of the shipments from their port of origin in India, leading to a demand for a 100 percent joint examination of the watch-listed containers with the Nigerian Customs Service and other sister security agencies.
He noted that a breakdown of the seizures show that 350,000 bottles of codeine-based syrup were recovered from two containers at Tincan port in Lagos last Thursday and Friday with each of the two containers having 175,000 bottles of the opioid.
He said at the Port Harcourt Port Complex, Onne, NDLEA operatives equally intercepted a total of 447 cartons of tramadol 225mg containing 29, 840,000 pills of the opioid as well as 380,000 bottles of codeine syrup from three containers last Thursday, adding that the tramadol shipments came under different brand names such as Royal Tapetadol, Carisoprodol 225mg and Royal Tramadol Hydrochloride 225mg.
Babafemi said the following day, Friday, another set of three containers watch-listed by NDLEA were subjected to joint examination, and at the end of the exercise, a total of 3,030 cartons of codeine syrup containing 554,600 bottles of the opioid were recovered from them, bringing the total bottles of codeine seized at Onne, Rivers and Tincan in Lagos to 1,284,600 bottles worth N8,992,200,000.00 in street value while the combined seizure of tramadol stood at 29,840,000 pills valued at N8,940,000,000.00.
The spokesman said NDLEA operatives at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Rivers state last Tuesday arrested a suspect, Eze Emekan, while attempting to board a Cronos airline flight to Malabo, Equatorial Guinea with 1,490 pills of tramadol concealed and packaged as cosmetics of different brands inside his luggage. His attempt to compromise the officers to evade arrest was rebuffed.
He said a wanted ex-beauty queen, Ms. Aderinoye Queen Christmas also known as Ms. Queen Oluwadamilola Aderinoye has surrendered to the Lagos Command of the agency after about eight months in hiding.
He recalled that the former beauty pageant was declared wanted by the agency in January after she escaped from her Lekki, Lagos residence when NDLEA operatives raided her apartment at Oral estate, Lekki following credible intelligence she deals in illicit substances.
Babafemi said the suspect was Miss Commonwealth Nigeria Culture 2015/2016 and founder of Queen Christmas Foundation, and recovered from her home during the search witnessed by the estate officials include 606 grammes of Canadian Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, an electronic weighing scale, large quantities of drugs packing plastics, a black RAV 4 SUV marked Lagos KSF 872 GQ, and her picture frame among others.
He said the suspect who claimed she has been hiding in Akure, Ondo state capital since January when she escaped arrest in Lekki Lagos however surrendered to the agency last Wednesday.
Babafemi disclosed that no less than 1,122 kilogrammes of cannabis were seized from a suspect, Mustapha Ibrahim when he was arrested last Monday along Orchid road, Ajah, Lagos, while 816 kilogrammes of the same psychoactive substance belonging to a suspect at large was recovered from the same location same day.
In Niger state, NDLEA operatives last Monday arrested a suspect Friday Gabriel along Minna-Suleja road while conveying 1,900 capsules of tramadol, 300 bottles of codeine syrup and 600 packets of exol-5 tablets; operatives in Bauchi state on Saturday arrested two suspects: Garba Muhammed, 35; and Usman Shehu, 31,
along Bauchi-Gombe road while transporting 308 blocks of cannabis weighing 246.4 kilogrammes, concealed in false compartment of a J5 bus marked Edo state URM 38 ZY.
The spokesman said commands and formations of the agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization activities to schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others in the past week.
In his response to the latest seizures and arrests, Chairman/ Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd) commended all the officers and men of PHPC, Tincan and the Special Operations Unit of the Agency that had been working on the targeted containers for their vigilance and professionalism.
He equally praised the support received from other stakeholders at the ports that enabled the seamless and successful operations in the course of targeting the shipments, while applauding operatives in Lagos, Niger, Bauchi and PHIA as well as other commands across the country for their diligence and balance in their drug demand reduction and drug supply reduction efforts.
NDLEA intercepts about N18 billion worth of drugs at Lagos, Port Harcourt Ports
Confusion in ISWAP camp after senior Commander killed by own IED in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Confusion has reportedly engulfed a factional camp of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) following the death of a senior Commander who was allegedly killed by an improvised explosive device (IED) planted by his own group.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident, which occurred on Feb. 24, triggered internal discord and heightened tensions within the insurgent ranks operating in parts of the Lake Chad Basin.
According to the sources, a fighter identified as a unit intelligence member (UIM) sought clarification from a senior Commander, Amir Musa, over the circumstances surrounding the deaths of two members of the group.
The UIM reportedly demanded explanations over the killing of one Abu Nazir, said to have been eliminated by fellow ISWAP elements, as well as the death of a senior Commander, Abu Kasim.
Abu Kasim was said to have died after an IED planted by his faction detonated along a route where he was operating. The explosion reportedly occurred amid clashes between ISWAP and rival Boko Haram elements.
Further accounts indicated that Abu Nazir’s death followed an encounter with Boko Haram fighters believed to have been responsible for the earlier killing of Abu Kasim, compounding tensions and suspicion within the camp.
Sources said the development suggested possible cases of friendly fire, operational lapses and a breakdown in coordination among the insurgents.
The incident is believed to reflect persistent hostilities between ISWAP and the Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS), commonly referred to as Boko Haram, despite both groups tracing their origins to the same insurgent movement.
Sources say such internal rifts has further weaken the operational cohesion of the factions, even as security forces sustain pressure on terrorist enclaves across the region.
Confusion in ISWAP camp after senior Commander killed by own IED in Borno
Troops neutralise 15 terrorists, destroy logistics hub in Gujba in Yobe
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 2 under Operation DESERT SANITY V have neutralised 15 terrorists and destroyed a suspected logistics base during a precision operation around Lamusheri Village in Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe state.
Military sources told Zagazola that the early morning operation on Feb. 22 followed weeks of intelligence gathering supported by satellite imagery and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance air platforms, which identified the location as a terrorist attack launch point and logistics hub.
According to the sources, troops, alongside members of the Civilian Joint Task Force, came under fire while approaching the target but tactically outflanked the insurgents and cut off their escape routes.
During the ensuing firefight, 15 terrorists were neutralised, while several others escaped with suspected gunshot wounds.
Security personnel also discovered extensive defensive structures at the site and destroyed all identified life-support facilities used by the group.
In addition, five tricycles and two vehicles allegedly used for attacks and logistics were destroyed and set ablaze with their contents.
Recovered items included a cache of arms and ammunition, as well as two bandoliers and carmel pouches.
The military said two personnel sustained gunshot wounds during the operation but were in stable condition, adding that the general security situation in the area remained calm but unpredictable, while troop morale and combat efficiency remained high.
Troops neutralise 15 terrorists, destroy logistics hub in Gujba in Yobe
One killed, another injured as Lakurawa bandits attack cattle range in Sokoto
By: Zagazola Makama
One person has been killed and another injured following an attack by suspected Lakurawa armed bandits on a cattle range on the outskirts of Tangaza along the Nigeria–Niger border in Sokoto State.
Sources said the incident occurred on Feb. 20 at about 9:15 p.m., when a large group of bandits armed with sophisticated weapons reportedly stormed the area, opening fire on residents.
Army Forward Operating Base, and other security forces were swiftly mobilized to the scene. The troops confirmed that one Yahaya Al-Hassan, 30, was shot dead, while Bello Muhammad sustained a gunshot injury to his left leg.
The attackers reportedly rustled an unspecified number of domestic animals before fleeing into a nearby forest. The deceased and the injured victim were evacuated to the General Hospital Tangaza for autopsy and treatment.
The troops said efforts were being intensified to apprehend the assailants and recover the stolen livestock. Confidence-building patrols by joint security teams are ongoing in the area to reassure residents and prevent further attacks.
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