Crime
NDLEA intercepts ex-convict with over N4.6 billion worth of cocaine at Lagos airport
NDLEA intercepts ex-convict with over N4.6 billion worth of cocaine at Lagos airport
By: Michael Mike
Barely 16 months after he was arrested and convicted for ingesting 93 pellets of cocaine, a 48-year-old businessman Christian Ogbuji has been intercepted by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos for importing 817 wraps of the same Class A drug weighing 19.4 kilogrammes with an estimated street value of over N4.6 billion.
According to a statement by the spokesperson of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi, Ogbuji was first arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Wednesday 10th May 2023 upon arrival from Uganda via Addis Ababa, onboard Ethiopian Airlines flight ET 951 for ingesting 93 pellets of cocaine with a gross weight of 1.986 kilogrammes. He was subsequently arraigned before Federal High Court 12 Abuja presided over by Hon. Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon in charge no: FHC/ABJ/CR/192/2023 and convicted on 13th July 2023. Ogbuji was sentenced to two years imprisonment with an option of paying a fine of N3 million, which he paid and was set free.
Babafemi said Ogbuji on the court order also forfeited the seized 1.986 kilogrammes cocaine, his international passport, 14 US dollars and 9000 Uganda shillings found on him at the time of his arrest.
The spokesman said: “Not done with crime, Ogbuji was again arrested at the Lagos airport on Wednesday 18th September 2024 during an inward clearance of Ethiopian Airlines flight passengers from Addis Ababa to Lagos. The suspect had approached the joint examination table with a black travelling bag which was searched by an NDLEA operative who cleared the luggage. In a dubious move, Ogbuji sneaked back to the carousel area to put inside the cleared bag a black backpack he left on the conveyor’s belt.
As he made his way out of the arrival hall, vigilant NDLEA officers intercepted him and subjected him to a second search. It was then large wraps of excreted cocaine were found concealed inside the backpack hidden in the black travelling bag that was earlier found with the suspect.
He said a total of 817 pellets of cocaine excreted by many traffickers in Addis Ababa weighing 19.4 kilogrammes belonging to different members of a drug cartel were recovered.
Babafemi said during interrogation of the suspect, he stated that he initially left the backpack containing the drug at the carousel area as a strategy to beat NDLEA operatives, adding that he never knew there could be a “secondary search” since he had presented his bag for search previously and nothing incriminating was found. He claimed he had to procure a new international passport to continue his criminal trade.
The spokesman said investigations revealed Ogbuji is an unrepentant kingpin within the network of drug cartels operating between Brazil, Ethiopia, Nigeria and others in the West African sub-region like Benin, Togo, Ghana, Liberia, and Cote d’Ivoire.
In his reaction to the arrest of Ogbuji, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd) commended the officers and men of the MMIA Strategic Command for an excellent job done, adding that the seizure of such a large consignment of cocaine at the airport is a milestone that will send a strong message to the international drug cartels trying to find footholds in Nigeria.
He however assured that the agency will continue to work to disrupt the activities of drug cartels operating in the country.
Ends
NDLEA intercepts ex-convict with over N4.6 billion worth of cocaine at Lagos airport
Crime
Troops of Operation Fansan Yanma neutralise three bandits in Katsina
Troops of Operation Fansan Yanma neutralise three bandits in Katsina
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Fansan Yanma have neutralised three suspected armed bandits during a gun battle in Sabuwa Local Government Area of Katsina State.
Military sources told Zagazola Makama the incident occurred on March 4 at about 4:14 p.m. when the bandits attacked a farmer, Alaramma Lawal Musa, 34, from Barkinshi Village, while he was on his way to his farm on the outskirts of the community.
The sources said the victim resisted the attack and managed to stab one of the assailants with a knife before the bandits inflicted serious machete cuts on him.
Troops stationed at Super Camp Machika were immediately alerted and swiftly mobilised to the scene. “On arrival, the troops intercepted the fleeing bandits and engaged them in a gun duel.
“During the exchange of fire, three of the suspected bandits were neutralised, while others escaped into nearby bushes,” the source said.
He added that troops recovered one Honda motorcycle believed to have been used by the bandits for their operations in the area.
The injured farmer was evacuated to the Comprehensive Hospital in Dandume for medical attention and was reported to be responding to treatment.
Security operatives have since intensified patrol and surveillance in the area to track down other fleeing members of the gang.
Operation Fansan Yanma has sustained military offensive against banditry and other criminal activities across the North-West region.
Troops of Operation Fansan Yanma neutralise three bandits in Katsina
Crime
Police foil abduction in Kano, one killed
Police foil abduction in Kano, one killed
By: Zagazola Makama
Security operatives have foiled an abduction attempt in Rantan Village, Bebeji Local Government Area of Kano State, rescuing two victims, while one person lost his life during the incident.
Security sources told Zagazola that the attack occurred at about 11:30 p.m. on March 2, following a distress call from a resident.
According to the source, about 15 armed hoodlums invaded the residence of one Fulani Bakwai and abducted him alongside his neighbour, Mohd Bello.
“In the course of the attack, the assailants shot Musa Mohd Bello, 25, on the left leg when he attempted to resist,” the source said.
Operatives, in collaboration with local vigilante members, swiftly mobilised to the scene and pursued the suspects.
The joint team successfully rescued the abducted victims as the suspects fled into nearby bushes.
The injured victim was rushed to Tiga General Hospital for medical attention but was later certified dead.
His remains were subsequently released to his family for burial.
Authorities said normalcy had been restored in the area, while efforts were being intensified to track down and arrest the fleeing suspects.
Investigation into the incident is ongoing.
Police foil abduction in Kano, one killed
Crime
Two additional ISWAP prominent Qaids neutralised in Sambisa air strikes
Two additional ISWAP prominent Qaids neutralised in Sambisa air strikes
By: Zagazola Makama
Two additional prominent qaids of the ISWAP have been confirmed neutralised in the recent precision air strikes conducted at Yuwe in the Sambisa general area of Borno.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the two senior terrorist leaders killed in the strikes are Ali G3, identified as the qaid in charge of Yuwe, and Abdullahi Muga, also a qaid within the group’s command structure.
Their deaths come after initial reports confirmed the neutralisation of other key figures, including Saddam and Saleh Garin Kago, both described as senior commanders, as well as Hussaini Ubaida and Ba Alayi Benbem.
The air interdiction mission was carried out by the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI at about 6:08 a.m. on Friday following confirmatory Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) on structures identified as terrorist command hideouts and logistics warehouses within the Yuwe axis.
“Upon confirmation of the targets, the aircraft acquired and engaged the selected objectives with precision-guided munitions,” a source said.
Post-strike battle damage assessment indicated that the identified command hubs and logistics facilities were effectively destroyed, significantly degrading the operational capacity of the terrorists in the Sambisa corridor.
The sources added that the earlier-mentioned commanders have also been confirmed dead, while efforts are underway to obtain the identities of other prominent qaids and ISWAP commanders believed to have been neutralised during the operation.
Military authorities reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining intelligence-driven operations aimed at dismantling terrorist leadership structures and consolidating recent gains in the North-East.
Two additional ISWAP prominent Qaids neutralised in Sambisa air strikes
-
News2 years agoRoger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
-
Opinions4 years agoTHE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
-
News11 months agoFAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
News2 years agoEYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
Opinions4 years agoPOLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
ACADEMICS2 years agoA History of Biu” (2015) and The Lingering Bura-Pabir Question (1)
-
Columns2 years agoArmy University Biu: There is certain interest, but certainly not from Borno.
-
Opinions2 years agoTinubu,Shettima: The epidemic of economic, insecurity in Nigeria
