Crime
NDLEA intercepts cocaine, meth going to Vietnam, Brazil, Italy
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
Terrorism: Woman bags 20 years jail term on DSS Charges of Unlawful Possession of 302 Rounds of Live Ammunition
Terrorism: Woman bags 20 years jail term on DSS Charges of Unlawful Possession of 302 Rounds of Live Ammunition
By: Zagazola Makama
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Friday sentenced a housewife, Halima Haliru Umar, to 20 years imprisonment for unlawful possession of 302 rounds of live AK-47 ammunition and supporting acts of terrorism.
The sentence was handed down by Justice Hauwa Joseph Yilwa after the defendant pleaded guilty to two out of a four-count charge filed against her by the Department of State Services (DSS).
Justice Yilwa held that the growing menace of banditry and terrorism in the country had become a serious threat to national security and should not be handled with leniency.
The judge noted that although the convict appeared remorseful and pleaded for mercy, offences connected to terrorism and arms trafficking remained grave threats to the safety of citizens.
The court heard that the convict admitted serving as a courier for the transportation of ammunition intended for bandits operating in Plateau State.
During the trial, the first prosecution witness and DSS operative, Fahad Tahir, told the court that the accused was arrested on July 6, 2025, with 302 rounds of AK-47 rifle ammunition and N57,100 cash while allegedly transporting the items to armed bandits in Plateau.
According to Tahir, the defendant made a confessional statement in Hausa language at the DSS Plateau State Command, where she disclosed that one Alhaji Sani had sent her to Zaria in Kaduna State to procure the ammunition from another individual.
The witness further stated that the accused was later transferred to the DSS National Headquarters in Abuja on Aug. 11, 2025, where another interview was conducted in the presence of a lawyer from the Legal Aid Council.
He said the defendant again admitted ownership and transportation of the ammunition and cash exhibits.
The prosecution counsel, Dr. Callistus Samson Ezeh, tendered the 302 rounds of ammunition, the cash sum of N57,100, and the defendant’s statements as exhibits before the court.
The exhibits were admitted without objection from defence counsel, Hamza Dantani.
In open court, the defendant also admitted being in possession of the ammunition and cash at the time of her arrest.
One of the charges stated that the convict knowingly rendered support for acts of terrorism by transporting 302 rounds of AK-47 live ammunition between Katsina and Plateau States, contrary to Section 13(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Another charge accused her of unlawful possession of ammunition contrary to Section 8(1) of the Firearms Act, 2004.
The DSS also accused the defendant of concealing information about suspected gunrunners and kidnappers allegedly linked to terrorist activities.
Following her guilty plea and review of the evidence presented, Justice Yilwa convicted and sentenced the defendant to 20 years imprisonment.
Terrorism: Woman bags 20 years jail term on DSS Charges of Unlawful Possession of 302 Rounds of Live Ammunition
Troops Discover 7,800 Litres of Stolen Crude Oil in Rivers State
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of 343 Artillery Regiment (Army) deployed at Oando Oil Company in Omoku have uncovered a large cache of illegally refined crude oil concealed within the riverine area of Ebocha Egi LII in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Security sources said the discovery was made at about 9:40 a.m. on May 13 during a routine patrol and surveillance operation in the area.
The troops reportedly recovered about 7,800 litres of suspected illegally refined crude oil, stored in 130 sacks and concealed along the riverine corridor.
According to the sources , the recovered products were handled in line with existing directives under Operation Delta Safe.
Military authorities stated that follow-up operations were ongoing to track down individuals and networks involved in crude oil theft and illegal refining activities in the region.
Troops Discover 7,800 Litres of Stolen Crude Oil in Rivers State
Troops Intercept Vehicle Conveying Illegal Diesel in Bayelsa
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of 16 Brigade Garrison operating under the Joint Task Force South-South, Operation Delta Safe (OPDS), have intercepted a vehicle conveying about 400 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
Security sources said the interception occurred at about 3:10 p.m. on May 12, 2026, along the Oruma–Kolocreek road during ongoing anti-illegal bunkering operations in the area.
According to the sources, the suspect abandoned the vehicle and fled upon sighting the troops approaching the area.
The vehicle and the illegally refined petroleum products were subsequently handled in accordance with operational directives guiding Operation Delta Safe activities.
The military has sustained operations across the Niger Delta to curb crude oil theft, illegal refining and related economic sabotage threatening the nation’s oil infrastructure.
Troops Intercept Vehicle Conveying Illegal Diesel in Bayelsa
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