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 arrest suspected intruder at Army school in Plateau
Troops arrest suspected intruder at Army school in Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) under Sector 2 have arrested a suspected intruder at the Army Command Secondary School in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau state.
Security sources said the suspect was apprehended at about 12:30 p.m. on April 20 after he was found attempting to gain entry into the school premises by jumping over the fence.
The sources said the individual was immediately taken into custody by troops on duty at the location.
The apprehended suspect has since been handed over to the Nigeria Police for further investigation and necessary action.
Security authorities reiterated the importance of vigilance around critical infrastructure, adding that measures were in place to prevent any breach of security within the area.
Troops arrest suspected intruder at Army school in Plateau
Crime
Troops neutralise 3 terrorists, recover rifles and motorcycles in Babbangida fighting patrol
Troops neutralise 3 terrorists, recover rifles and motorcycles in Babbangida fighting patrol
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of 233 Battalion, operating in the Babbangida general area of Yobe state, in conjunction with members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), have neutralised three terrorists during a fighting patrol operation in Nanewa village.
Military sources told Zagazola Makama that the operation was conducted at about 5:30 p.m. on April 19 when troops on patrol in the area made contact with an ambush laid by suspected terrorists lying in wait along the route.

The patrol team, however, successfully fought through the ambush and engaged the assailants in a gun duel, resulting in the neutralisation of three terrorists.
Following the encounter, troops recovered three AK-47 rifles and five motorcycles abandoned by the fleeing attackers.
The operation was completed without casualties to friendly forces, while the patrol team later returned safely to base at about 7:15 p.m.
Security sources described the general situation in the area as calm but unpredictable, noting that troops’ morale and operational efficiency remain high.
They added that sustained patrols and clearance operations were ongoing to deny terrorist elements freedom of movement within the theatre.
Troops neutralise 3 terrorists, recover rifles and motorcycles in Babbangida fighting patrol
Crime
Angry youths, women attack soldiers, burn military checkpoint in Plateau over killing of villager
Angry youths, women attack soldiers, burn military checkpoint in Plateau over killing of villager
By: Zagazola Makama
Tension rose in Kassa community of Kassa District, in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, as angry youths and women on Sunday attacked soldiers and set ablaze a military checkpoint following the burial of a resident reportedly killed by Fulani armed attackers.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred at about 11:40 p.m. on April 20 when a crowd stormed a checkpoint at Rapung Kassa and destroyed the facility, including makeshift structures and equipment used by troops deployed in the area.

The attack reportedly happened during the burial ceremony of one Gyang Nuhu Choji, who was said to have been killed on April 16 by unidentified armed men suspected to be Fulani bandits operating within the general area.
Witnesses said the protesters, made up of youths and women, accused security operatives of failing to prevent repeated attacks in the community, alleging that the presence of troops had not translated into adequate protection for residents.
The angry mob reportedly blocked access roads during the protest, temporarily disrupting movement in and out of the area before later reopening the route to motorists after intervention by local stakeholders and assurances from security representatives.
A community source said calm was eventually restored after engagements between community leaders and security authorities, during which assurances were given that the situation would be reviewed to prevent further escalation.
Security sources confirmed that no casualties were recorded during the incident, adding that monitoring and patrols had been intensified in the area to prevent further breakdown of law and order.
Zagazola report that the Plateau State security environment has remained volatile in recent months, with recurring incidents of violence prompting continued deployment of security forces and community-level engagements aimed at restoring lasting peace.
Security assessments have indicated a pattern of violence involving Fulani bandits and armed elements of the Berom where both groups had sustained their campaign of terror.

The recent pattern of attacks was traced to April 13 at about 0700 hrs, when troops under Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP), conducted a search-and-rescue operation in Ariri and Kwasha villages of Bassa LGA following reports of a missing herder. During the operation, troops discovered the corpse of the herder and recovered 32 cattle alive, while three others were found dead. The remains and livestock were handed over to community leaders.
On the same day, troops also responded to intelligence on an illegal settlers’ camp in Ungwan Doki, Riyom LGA, where four suspected illegal migrants were arrested.
On April 12, at about 1440 hrs, troops restored calm after a clash between farmers and herders in Rakum village, Barkin Ladi LGA. Five locals, two herders, and a police officer sustained injuries after being attacked by Berom militia, while one suspect was arrested.
Earlier at about 1222 hrs in Rasa village, troops foiled another attack on a herder by suspected armed Berom elements and evacuated the injured victim to hospital. At about 2100 hrs, troops responded to sporadic gunfire along Hukke–Rewienko road in Bassa LGA, repelling attackers and rescuing an injured civilian.
In a related development, at about 1800 hrs, troops foiled an attempted cattle rustling incident in Kpashio village, recovering 92 cattle reportedly abandoned by fleeing suspects. The owner of the livestock was either killed and buried in a shallow grave or escaped the assault.
Within the same period, armed Berom militia engaged troops of Operation Enduring Peace in a heavy gun battle in Barkin Ladi. The troops gunned down five of the attackers. Later that same day, the corpses were hastily buried by the community to avoid scrutiny due to the identity of the attackers.
On April 18, 2026, troops intercepted and apprehended nine suspected Berom militia involved in targeted killing. Those arrested were identified as Mr. Gyang Dantoro, Mr. Samson Davou, Mr. Choji Yakubu, Mr. Vincent Adamu, Mr. Pam Dalyop, Mr. Femi Badung, Mr. Jacob Musa and Mr. Choji Chaga, all residents of Danwal and reportedly of Berom extraction.
Items recovered from them include three motorcycles, one pistol, one submachine gun, one locally made revolver rifle, 20 rounds of pistol ammunition, and one locally fabricated rifle, among other items.
On April 19, nine cattle were confirmed dead while three others are in critical condition following a suspected poisoning by Berom youths in Rakum village, Kassa District of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Angry youths, women attack soldiers, burn military checkpoint in Plateau over killing of villager
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