Crime

NDLEA intercepts cocaine, meth going to Vietnam, Brazil, Italy

Published

3 years ago

March 26, 2023

Ochuwa Ibrahim

NDLEA intercepts cocaine, meth going to Vietnam, Brazil, Italy

By: Michael Mike

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a businessman, Molokwu Nwachukwu at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos for concealing 36 parcels of cocaine in different parts of his check-in bags, hand luggage and two pairs of slippers, while heading to Southeast Asia.

Molokwu who is a frequent traveler to China, Dubai, Pakistan, and Vietnam was arrested at the screening point of the MMIA Terminal 2 while attempting to board a flight to Vietnam last Wednesday.

Babafemi said a total of 36 parcels of whitish powdery substance that tested positive to cocaine with a gross weight of a kilogramme were recovered from the handles of his bags and soles of two pairs of slippers in his luggage.

The suspect claims he travels frequently to China, Dubai, Pakistan and Vietnam, from where he imports baby wears he distributes from his Onitsha, Anambra state base.

NDLEA operatives, also at the Lagos airport have thwarted attempt by a suspect, Chimezie Nwafor to export 2.1 kilogrammes of methamphetamine to Brazil.

According to Babafemi, a follow up operations led to the arrest of three more suspects linked to the consignment at Oyingbo market, Yaba, Lagos. They include: Ifeanyi Onu; Simon Nwuzor and Omini Peter, noting that the meth consignment was molded into 25 bars of local black soap called Dudu Osun and packaged in a carton for export to Brazil.

A similar attempt to export a cocaine consignment consisting of 300 grammes of raw cocaine and 200 grammes of phenacetin, a chemical agent used to adulterate and increase the volume of cocaine, concealed in packs of air freshener, going to Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, was also foiled by NDLEA operatives attached to the SAHCO export shed at the Lagos airport on last Monday. A suspect, Onyeze Obiora has already been arrested in connection with the seizure.

Another bid by an intending passenger to Reggio, Italy, Osasere MacDonald, to export 500grams of tramadol 225mg concealed inside a carton of indomie noodles last Tuesday was equally frustrated by vigilant officers who seized the drugs and arrested him.

He said on the same day, operatives of the Tincan Port command of the agency also intercepted 107 kilogrammes of cannabis Indica popularly known as Colorado hidden in a container bearing four used vehicles imported from Toronto, Canada, adding that few days later last Friday, Apapa Command of Customs Service was able to apprehend and hand over to NDLEA two suspects: Ademola Adekunle and Dayo Olatunji linked to the consignment.

In Edo, operatives last Friday intercepted in Auchi, Etsako West local government area, a DAF trailer marked ZUR 378 XJ (Kebbi) with 69 bags of cannabis sativa weighing 700 kilogrammes concealed under bags of fertiliser. While the bags of fertiliser were to be delivered in Funtua, Katsina state, the cannabis consignment was to be dropped in Kaduna, according to the spokesman who said both the driver of the truck, Babangida Mande and his assistant Mandir Abdullahi are already in custody. Another suspect, Ijarekhai Ogbewee was arrested last Thursday at Ishokha Quarters, Otuo, Owan East local government area, with 32 kilogrammes of the same substance.

A female drug dealer, Mrs. Kudirat Bello was nabbed in Igbesa area of Ogun state last Monday, with different quantities of methamphetamine, cannabis and rophynol along with N119,600 monetary exhibit.

In Delta, 96 compressed blocks of cannabis weighing 82 kilogrammes concealed inside jumbo bags of cassava flour were recovered at Basket Market, Asaba, while a total of 164,750 pills of opioids mainly tramadol were seized from two suspects: Henry Abuchi and Daniel Ugwoke, in parts of Taraba state. No fewer than 45 blocks of compressed cannabis weighing 23 kilogrammes were recovered along Okene – Abuja highway from Abubakar Muhammad, in a Toyota Hiace bus coming from Lagos and going to Maiduguri last Tuesday in Kogi state.

In Lagos, a total of 1,030.6 kilogrammes of cannabis were recovered from at least three suspects: Bolaji Adesina; Femi Ojo and Jamiu Useni during raid operations in Mushin area of the state.

Meanwhile, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Retd) while commended the officers and men of MMIA, Tincan, Edo, Ogun, Delta, Taraba, Kogi, and Lagos Commands of the Agency for their vigilance and excellent working relationship with other security agencies in their areas of responsibility, however charged them and their colleagues across the country not to rest on their oars.

NDLEA intercepts cocaine, meth going to Vietnam, Brazil, Italy

Crime

Nigerian Industrialist Leemon Ikpea Granted Private Audience with Pope at Vatican

Published

2 days ago

January 16, 2026

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Nigerian Industrialist Leemon Ikpea Granted Private Audience with Pope at Vatican

By: Michael Mike

A leading Nigerian businessman and philanthropist, Dr. Leemon Ikpea, has met privately with the Pope at the Vatican in what close associates described as a deeply spiritual and inspiring moment.

Ikpea, the founding chairman and chief executive officer of the Lee Group of Companies, is a prominent figure in Nigeria’s indigenous oil and gas technology sector. The Edo State-born industrialist travelled to Rome as part of his annual spiritual devotion and to strengthen his commitment to the Catholic Church.

During the private audience, the Pontiff is said to have prayed for Ikpea and for Nigeria, urging peace, unity and development in the country. The Pope also reportedly commended the businessman for his philanthropic work and his contributions to human development initiatives both at home and abroad.

A close associate who accompanied Ikpea to the Vatican described the meeting as “humbling and uplifting.” According to him, the encounter reinforced Ikpea’s deep-rooted Catholic faith and his dedication to giving back to society despite his corporate success.

The associate further noted that the industrialist has remained connected to his modest beginnings in Ewatto, Edo State, even as he continues to expand his business interests and social investments.

Dr. Ikpea is widely known for supporting educational programmes, healthcare initiatives and community development projects across different parts of Nigeria.

The Vatican meeting is being seen by his supporters as both a spiritual milestone and a recognition of his humanitarian efforts.

Nigerian Industrialist Leemon Ikpea Granted Private Audience with Pope at Vatican

Crime

Bandits kill herder, rustle 100 cows in kubacha, kagarko LGA in Kaduna

Published

2 days ago

January 16, 2026

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Bandits kill herder, rustle 100 cows in kubacha, kagarko LGA in Kaduna

By: Zagazola Makama

Armed bandits have killed a 70-year-old herder and rustled about 100 cows in Anguwan Pah village, Kubacha, Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

Sources said the attack occurred at around 2:00 a.m. on Thursday when the bandits, reportedly in large numbers, stormed the Fulani settlement, shooting sporadically and creating panic among residents.

The victim, identified as Ardor Daudu, was fatally shot during the invasion. Relatives reportedly requested that no postmortem examination be conducted, and he was buried according to Islamic rites.

Security operatives promptly mobilized to the area following the report, photographing the scene and combing nearby bushes in an attempt to recover the stolen livestock.

Coordinated efforts are ongoing to track down the attackers and recover the rustled animals. Investigation into the incident has commenced.

Bandits kill herder, rustle 100 cows in kubacha, kagarko LGA in Kaduna

Crime

Troops raid criminal hideout, rescue kidnapped victim in Kaduna

Published

4 days ago

January 14, 2026

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Troops raid criminal hideout, rescue kidnapped victim in Kaduna

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation Enduring Peace, have raided a criminal hideout in Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State, neutralising several criminals, rescuing a kidnapped victim and recovering arms, ammunition and motorcycles.

Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the operation was carried out on Tuesday following credible intelligence on the activities of criminal elements operating within the area.

During the raid, the troops reportedly engaged the criminals in a gun duel, resulting in the neutralisation of four suspects, while others fled the scene with possible injuries.

Items recovered from the hideout included one fabricated rifle, five rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and two motorcycles.

Preliminary findings indicated that the neutralised suspects were members of a criminal syndicate responsible for attacks along the Ganawuri–Manchok corridor.

In a related development, the troops were said to have responded swiftly to information on the abduction of a young woman, Miss Immaculate Samuel, who was kidnapped on the night of Jan. 13 at Kajim Village, also in Kaura LGA.

The troops mobilised and pursued the kidnappers, leading to another exchange of gunfire during which three of the suspects were neutralised, while the victim was rescued unharmed.

The rescued victim was subsequently debriefed and reunited with her family.

Security forces said troops had continued to dominate the general area in order to track down and apprehend other members of the criminal group and restore normalcy to affected communities.

Troops raid criminal hideout, rescue kidnapped victim in Kaduna