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NDLEA intercepts UK-bound N.5Billion worth meth, arrests baron, seals Lekki mansion

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NDLEA intercepts UK-bound N.5Billion worth meth, arrests baron, seals Lekki mansion

By: Michael Mike

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted a large consignment of methamphetamine concealed in powdered custard containers as part of a consolidated cargo going to London, United Kingdom at the SAHCO export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

According to a statement on Sunday by the spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi, the illicit drug consignment weighing 30.1 kilogrammes with a street value of N567 million was detected and seized by NDLEA operatives at the airport last Tuesday.

He said the seizure was swiftly followed by series of follow-up operations that led to the arrest of a freight agent, Nwobodo Chidiebere; a female suspect, Chioma Akuta and ultimately the drug lord behind the shipment, Chinedu Ezeh, who was arrested at Sotel Suites, Amuwo Odofin, Lagos last Thursday.

Babafemi said Ezeh claimed he is a businessman and deals in articles in Onitsha, Anambra State, but that investigations revealed he lived with his wife and children in London until 10th December 2022 when he fled to Nigeria after his involvement in a drug related offence in the UK.

The spokesman said though Ezeh claimed to have been living in hotels since his return to Nigeria last December, operatives were however able to locate his mansion at No.1 Hawawu Abikan Street, Lekki, last Friday, where a search was conducted and his travel and property documents among others were recovered.

Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives in Adamawa last Monday arrested a 32-year-old notorious drug dealer, Prince Ikechukwu Uzoma, in Mubi area of the state with a kilogramme of skunk.

Ikechukwu, was said to have twice been arrested in the past, and convicted for the same offence. He was in 2017 sentenced to six months imprisonment and in 2019 was again sent to two years in jail.

In the same vein, a trans-border trafficker, Faisal Mohammed, 27, was last Wednesday arrested in Mubi following the interception of a truck from Onitsha, Anambra State, where a total of 2,376 sachets of tramadol comprising 23,760 pills were found concealed in three blue rubber Jerrycans which were hidden underneath the body part of the trailer. The suspect admitted the opioid was to be taken to Cameroon.

In Oyo state, two suspects: Osas Susan, 35, and Thomas Biodun, 23, were arrested at Igbon, Gambari in Ogbomoso North local government area with 2.13 kilogrammes cannabis while Idris Muhammed, 55, was nabbed with 4,500 pills of tramadol when a commercial bus conveying him and other passengers was stopped and searched along Lagos-Ibadan expressway.

Similarly, Bulus Mikah, 63, was arrested at Kafanchan, Kaduna state with over 5 kilogrammes opioids including tramadol, diazepam, rohypnol and exol-5, just as a total of 965 kilogrammes cannabis was seized from Shehu Muhammadu Dandare, 25, at Maraban Jos, in Igabi local government area of the state, while 552 kilogrammes cannabis was recovered from a warehouse in a bush when operatives stormed and destroyed 1.5 hectares of cannabis farm in Uhodoua forest, Esan South East local government area, Edo state, 10 suspects were arrested with a total of 5.6 kilogrammes cannabis sativa, 144.4 grammes of methamphetamine and 48,260 capsules of tramadol in different parts of Onitsha, Anambra state last Friday.

In Kwara, two suspects: Mohammed Isa, 47 and Mohammed Haman, 36, were arrested last Friday along Ilorin/Lagos road in a commercial bus on their way to Maiduguri, Borno state with 6 kilogrammes cannabis, 50 grammes of methamphetamine and 20 pieces of military camouflage caps and uniforms. The same day, operatives in Jigawa state nabbed one Ibrahim Abdullahi, 53, with 120 kilogrammes cannabis at Sara town in Gwaram local government area.

Not less than 628 bottles of new psychoactive substance, skuchies were seized when operatives raided a drug joint at Idanre where four suspects were arrested. They include: Olamide Olusola, 26; Abiodun Tijjani, 21; Fatope Temidayo, 29; Agba Obi, 30 and Olafisoye Festus, 26. Also, a suspect, Kayode Hakeem, 22, was arrested at Hawan Dawaki, Kano with 293 blocks of cannabis weighing 211.6 kilogrammes.

Meanwhile, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen.Buba Marwa (Retd) has commended the officers and men of MMIA command for their professionalism and speed with which they were able to track and arrest another drug kingpin, Ezeh Chinedu. He charged them and their colleagues in Adamawa, Oyo, Kaduna, Edo, Kwara, Jigawa, Ondo and Kano as well as those in other commands and formations across the country not to rest on their oars.

NDLEA intercepts UK-bound N.5Billion worth meth, arrests baron, seals Lekki mansion

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Crime

Troops intensify crackdown on gunrunners fuelling banditry in Plateau

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Troops intensify crackdown on gunrunners fuelling banditry in Plateau

By: Zagazola Makama

In the fight against the hydra-headed menace of banditry, troops of 3 Division/Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE (OPEP) have recorded a major breakthrough in Plateau, neutralising a notorious gunrunner and recovering a cache of arms and ammunition.

The feat, achieved between Sept. 4 and 6, highlights the military’s growing resolve to dismantle the criminal logistics networks that have long sustained armed violence in the North-Central.

The gunrunner, described as a “high-value target” by security sources, had allegedly played a critical role in supplying bandits with rifles, magazines, and other logistics across Plateau and neighbouring states.

His neutralisation, officials say, has dealt a heavy blow to the illicit supply chain that has prolonged insecurity in the region.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that credible intelligence led troops to track the suspect to a hideout where he was receiving treatment for gunshot wounds on Sept. 4. He was swiftly apprehended and later confessed to his role as a logistics supplier, even agreeing to lead troops to his arms cache.

Two days later, on Sept. 6, troops launched a follow-up operation at the identified hideout. The mission, however, was anything but routine. As troops closed in, they came under heavy fire from the suspect’s gang members, resulting in a fierce exchange.

In the chaos, the gunrunner attempted to escape but was neutralised by the troops’ superior firepower. His cohorts, badly shaken by the encounter, fled the scene with gunshot wounds.

The troops subsequently combed the area, uncovering the concealed weapons: two AK-47 rifles and two magazines, which are now in custody.

The recovery, though modest in numbers, represents something bigger in the larger security equation: the deliberate targeting of supply chains that keep bandits armed and emboldened.

The bandit gangs rely not only on local recruits but also on a shadowy network of financiers, informants, and arms dealers. By dismantling this network, the military is effectively cutting off the oxygen that sustains criminal groups.

Troops intensify crackdown on gunrunners fuelling banditry in Plateau

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Troops crush ISWAP terrorists after deadly attack on Darajamal community in Borno

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Troops crush ISWAP terrorists after deadly attack on Darajamal community in Borno

By: Zagazola Makama

Residents of Darajamal village in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State are still reeling from a bloody attack launched by Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists, even as combined troops of Operation Hadin Kai responded swiftly to neutralise the perpetrators.

Zagazola Makama reports that the incident occurred on Friday night when the terrorists stormed the remote community, unleashing violence that claimed the lives of several villagers.

Witnesses said the attackers invaded the community and opened fire indiscriminately, causing panic among residents who fled into nearby bushes for safety.

A security source told Zagazola Makama that troops of Operation Hadin Kai, supported by the Air Component, immediately mobilised after receiving distress calls from the area.

“Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft were deployed and tracked the terrorists as they attempted to flee northwards from Darajamal after the attack. The aircrew confirmed the presence of friendly forces in the area before engaging the fleeing terrorists with successive airstrikes.

“Over 30 of the insurgents were neutralised in the strikes, while ground reinforcements secured the community shortly after the bombardment,” the source said, as more terrorists fatalities are still being counted.

It was gathered that the coordinated air and ground operation prevented the insurgents from regrouping, forcing survivors of the attack to retreat deeper into the Sambisa forest.

Security sources confirmed that calm had been restored to Darajamal, adding that search operations were ongoing in nearby villages to reassure displaced residents and forestall any reprisal attacks.

Meanwhile, humanitarian workers have expressed concern over the plight of survivors who lost loved ones and properties in the initial assault before troops intervened. Aid groups say immediate relief, including food, medical support, and psychosocial care, will be critical for the affected community.

Governor Babagana Zulum and the Military High Command are expected to visit Darajamal to access the current situation.

Troops crush ISWAP terrorists after deadly attack on Darajamal community in Borno

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Troops arrest terrorist informants, logistics suppliers in Sokoto

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Troops arrest terrorist informants, logistics suppliers in Sokoto

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA have arrested two suspected terrorist informants and logistics suppliers in Gudu Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the suspects were apprehended on Sept. 4 during a fighting patrol to Yaka village by a quick response team.

The suspects, according to the source, are in troop custody for further investigation and action.

Troops arrest terrorist informants, logistics suppliers in Sokoto

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