Crime
NDLEA Nabs China-Based Businessman, Two Angolans as 236 Cocaine Pellets Recovered at Abuja, Kano Airports
NDLEA Nabs China-Based Businessman, Two Angolans as 236 Cocaine Pellets Recovered at Abuja, Kano Airports
By: Michael Mike
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a China-based Nigerian businessman and two Angolan nationals after they excreted a combined 236 wraps of cocaine at the Nnamdi Azikiwe and Mallam Aminu Kano international airports.
The suspects—identified as Ibeanu Vincent Chukwudulue, 34; Mbandu Martins Makiadi, 50; and Ngoma Wilson Fernando, 52—were apprehended in separate operations in Abuja and Kano following intelligence-led surveillance.
Ibeanu was intercepted on February 4 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport while boarding a Qatar Airways flight from Kano to China via Doha. A body scan confirmed he had ingested illicit drugs. Under observation, he excreted 52 pellets of cocaine weighing 735.95 grams. He told investigators he previously ran a business on Lagos Island before relocating to Guangzhou, China, in 2024.
On the same day, NDLEA officers at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport arrested Makiadi and Fernando at the departure hall during clearance for an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Istanbul via Addis Ababa. Body scans confirmed drug ingestion. Makiadi expelled 76 wraps weighing 920 grams in seven excretions, while Fernando passed 108 pellets weighing 1.33 kilograms in five excretions.
The Angolan suspects, both from Hoji Ya Henda in Luanda, claimed they were recruited by an automobile spare parts dealer who promised them $3,000 each upon successful delivery of the drugs in Turkey.
In a related development, NDLEA operatives at the export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport thwarted an attempt to smuggle 1.10 kilograms of cocaine to London, concealed in processed cassava granules (garri).
Investigations revealed that the plot was orchestrated from prison by Olashupo Michael Oladimeji, a convicted drug trafficker currently serving a five-year sentence at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre. Oladimeji had earlier been convicted by a Federal High Court in Lagos in 2025 for conspiracy to export 17.90kg of cocaine.
The latest consignment, hidden in a sack of garri packed inside a carton, was presented for export by Adedeji Yusuf Gbolahan, a staff member of Dimeji Express Logistics. NDLEA investigations indicated that Oladimeji coordinated the operation from custody and directed Yusuf to collect the consignment in Oshodi before taking it to the airport.
In another case at the Lagos airport, a 44-year-old estate surveyor, Adelaja Taiwo Adetayo, was arrested for attempting to ship 1.70 kilograms of skunk concealed in five jerry cans to the United Kingdom. The cargo agent who processed the consignment was also arrested, leading to a follow-up operation that tracked down Adelaja in Lagos.
In Abuja, NDLEA operatives intercepted a waybill package from Enugu containing a children’s toy guitar used to conceal 59.2 grams of Canadian Loud, a potent cannabis strain. A follow-up operation led to the arrest of the consignee, Henry Onuma, in Life Camp.
Meanwhile, in Lagos, NDLEA officers raided a four-bedroom duplex in the Lekki area used as a production hub for Colorado, a synthetic cannabis variant known locally as “Colos.” The operation followed the seizure of 73 cartons of nitrous oxide at Ajah–Epe Expressway, suspected to be linked to the facility. Two suspects were arrested, and 13.2 kilograms of freshly produced synthetic cannabis were recovered alongside precursor chemicals.
In Ibadan, Oyo State, a 45-year-old suspected drug dealer, Oluwayemisi Bunmi, was arrested with 1.189kg of Colos and skunk, 320 grams of methamphetamine, nearly ₦3 million in cash, and two vehicles.
In Kwara State, NDLEA operatives intercepted a vehicle conveying 105,400 pills of tramadol along the Bode Saadu axis, leading to the arrest of 43-year-old Kamilu Abdullahi.
Similarly, in Edo State, five suspects were apprehended during a raid on a forest camp in Ovia North East Local Government Area, where 563.5 kilograms of skunk were recovered.
Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended officers across the MAKIA, MMIA, NAIA, Lagos, Edo, Kwara, FCT, and Oyo Commands for their professionalism and vigilance.
He urged continued commitment to the agency’s balanced strategy of drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction, even as NDLEA intensified its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaigns in schools and communities nationwide.
NDLEA Nabs China-Based Businessman, Two Angolans as 236 Cocaine Pellets Recovered at Abuja, Kano Airports
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
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
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
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