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NDLEA intercepts ex-convict with over N4.6 billion worth of cocaine at Lagos airport

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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.
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NDLEA intercepts ex-convict with over N4.6 billion worth of cocaine at Lagos airport

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Bandit attack in Charanchi leaves elderly man dead, livestock stolen

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Bandit attack in Charanchi leaves elderly man dead, livestock stolen

By: Zagazola Makama

Suspected armed bandits on Wednesday night attacked Billire Village in Charanchi Local Government Area of Katsina State, killing an elderly man and rustling livestock.

Zagazola Makama report that the incident occurred at about 10:52 p.m., when the bandits sneaked into the village. Police and military patrol teams, alongside community vigilantes, were promptly mobilized to the scene.

Authorities discovered that one Alhaji Sule Dan-Kado, 70, had been critically shot during the attack and later succumbed to his injuries at the General Hospital Charanchi. The bandits also made away with an unspecified number of livestock.

Security operatives have cordoned off the area, blocked all potential exit routes, and launched a search operation to apprehend the perpetrators and recover the stolen properties.

Bandit attack in Charanchi leaves elderly man dead, livestock stolen

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Teenager died in Borno farmer, harder clash

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Teenager died in Borno farmer, harder clash

By: Zagazola Makama

A 15-year-old boy has died during a clash between farmers and herders in Monguno Local Government Area of the state.

Sources confirm that at about 5:00 a.m. in Kawuram bush when some herders allegedly allowed their cattle to graze on farmlands belonging to residents of Abbari ward, Monguno.

According to sources, when the farmers attempted to drive the cattle away, the herders attacked them, inflicting fatal machete injuries on one Ali Goni, aged 15, and shooting another, Modu Suri, 25, with a bow and arrow.

A combined team of the military, police tactical units, Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), and local hunters visited the scene, evacuated the victims to the General Hospital in Monguno, where Goni was confirmed dead on arrival.

Suri, who sustained injuries, is currently receiving treatment and responding well, while the remains of Goni have been released to his family for burial in line with Islamic rites.

Teenager died in Borno farmer, harder clash

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Herdsman, 36 cows shot dead in fresh unprovoked attack in Plateau

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Herdsman, 36 cows shot dead in fresh unprovoked attack in Plateau

By: Zagazola Makama

A herdsman has been killed and 36 cows shot dead by unknown assailants in a fresh attack at Ndinn village, Fan District of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.

Zagazola Makama report that the incident, which occurred on Monday evening, is the latest undocumented violent attacks that have continued to claim lives and property in parts of the state.

Witnesses said the attackers ambushed the herder, identified as Abubakar Alhaji Woda, while he was grazing his cattle, and shot him dead before opening fire on his herd, killing 36 cows on the spot.

Residents described the attack as unprovoked and expressed concern over the growing wave of insecurity in rural parts of Barkin Ladi and neighbouring local government areas.

They lamented that despite several similar attacks in recent weeks, no arrests have been made, and the perpetrators continue to operate with impunity.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the FUYODA Riyom chapter coordinator, Muhammad Saidu, described the attack as “a heartbreaking reminder of the persistent insecurity and injustice faced by peaceful Fulani communities in Plateau.”

“We strongly condemn this act of violence and call on the relevant authorities to ensure that justice is served,” Saidu said.

He prayed for the repose of the deceased’s soul and called on the government to take decisive steps to restore confidence among pastoral communities who continue to suffer silent losses in the ongoing communal crisis.

“May Almighty Allah grant Abubakar Alhaji Woda Jannatul Firdaus, forgive his shortcomings, and comfort his family with patience and strength during this difficult time,” he added.

However, as of the time of filing this report, there has been no official statement from the Plateau State Government or security agencies regarding the attack.

Zagazola report that the recurring cycle of violence in Plateau State has often been reported only from the angle of reprisals, while several attacks on herders go undocumented or receive limited attention.

Community leaders have called on security operatives to fish out the perpetrators and ensure justice is served to prevent further escalation of hostilities in the area.

Herdsman, 36 cows shot dead in fresh unprovoked attack in Plateau

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