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NDLEA Officers in Crossfire with Hoodlums in Notorious Edo Hemp Forest

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NDLEA Officers in Crossfire with Hoodlums in Notorious Edo Hemp Forest


…3 Operatives Injured, One Undergoes Brain Surgery

By: Michael Mike

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have engaged armed hoodlums in crossfire during a siege on forest warehouses in Opuje community, Owan West local government area of Edo state where drugs to be sold during the forthcoming Yuletide period were stored.

A statement on Thursday from the spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi said the operatives repelled rain of bullets from armed hoodlums who blocked all roads in Opuje community, Owan West local government area of Edo state to prevent the anti-narcotic operatives from accessing the forest warehouses where tons of processed psychoactive substances have been stored for distribution nationwide ahead of the coming Christmas and New Year season.

He noted that this is coming barely 11 months after armed youths recruited by drug barons ambushed NDLEA officers who stormed the community to destroy massive warehouses and tents storing over 317,417 kilogrammes (317.4 metric tons) of cannabis sativa on Wednesday 18th January 2023.

He recalled that at least, three suspects: Omoruan Theophilus, 37; Aigberuan Jacob, 42; Ekeinde Anthony Zaza, 53, and Naomi Patience Ohiewere, 42, were arrested in connection with the drugs then.

Babafemi said Opuje community is notorious for cannabis cultivation, where the cartels invest huge resources, cutting down economic trees of the forest reserves and cultivating cannabis on a large scale, running into hundreds of hectares. After harvest, they build warehouses inside the forest reserves and employ the services of armed youths to protect the warehouses at all time.

He said following credible intelligence that the drug cartels had again stocked their warehouses in the forest to start distribution of the psychoactive substance to various parts of the country ahead of the Yuletide season, teams of NDLEA officers were mobilized to enter the Edo forests and block the distribution of the illicit drug by destroying their warehouses. Some of the warehouses containing about 6,000 kilogrammes of cannabis were first taken down in Ujiogba forest in Esan West LGA last weekend.

He added that the NDLEA teams however came under gunfire attack in the early hours of Monday when they approached the Opuje forest after the armed hoodlums had blocked all access roads in the community. He said the NDLEA operatives were able to exit the area after over two hours of gun fight with the armed hoodlums.

Babafemi said unfortunately, three of the officers were injured in the attack with one of them shot in the head while some of the vehicles used for the operation were riddled with bullets. The affected officers were rushed to the hospital for treatment while the critically injured one had a major surgery on Wednesday to remove the bullets in his brain.

In his reaction to the attack, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Agency, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Retd) warned that those sponsoring attacks on the operatives would know no rest until they are all brought before the law to face the consequences of their action and their criminal trade terminated.

While commending the professional conduct of the officers involved in the operation, Marwa said the incident will not in any way deter the agency from continuing its ongoing offensive action against drug barons and cartels who are merchants of death bent on destroying the lives of innocent citizens especially the youths for their own comfort across the nooks and crannies of the country.

NDLEA Officers in Crossfire with Hoodlums in Notorious Edo Hemp Forest

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Yobe: Police warns public property vandals to desist or face the wrath of the law

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Yobe: Police warns public property vandals to desist or face the wrath of the law

By: Our Reporter

Yobe State Police Command has placed security surveillance measures around public properties, especially electricity power distribution cables around the state.This is akin to numinous reports of vandalization of electricity power transformers distribution cables and other important edifice.

The Command succeeded and arrested one of the notorious Vandals who specialised in vandalization of electricity power distribution transformers cables in Damaturu and other nearby towns.

Thus, on 16 May 2024, at about 1300hrs personnel, of C Divisional Police Headquarters, intercepted One Saminu Garba aged, 23 years old, of Maiduguri Borno State. The suspect was arrested among two other syndicate members who evaded arrest and fled. The command has begun a swift chase to arrest them soon. The suspects, were namely : Audu Ismail and Abba Mohammed of the same state. The suspect confessed to having vandalized an electricity transformer situated at the state low-cost via Gujba Road , Damaturu. In the midnight of 16th May 2024

The Commissioner of Police, CP Garba Ahmed, warned perpetrators to desist or face the full wrath of the law while reiterating the commitment of the command relentless efforts towards untoward criminal activities in the state. However, he urges good members of the public to report suspicious activities of such types of miscreants to the nearest police station, and those who buy stolen vandalized properties stiffer sanctions will be meted out on them accordingly.

Yobe: Police warns public property vandals to desist or face the wrath of the law

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Army troops gun down Mallam Muhammad, ISWAP Commander incharge of VBIED

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Army troops gun down Mallam Muhammad, ISWAP Commander incharge of VBIED

By: Zagazola Makama

The troops of Operation Desert Sanity III, Operation Hadin Kai have nutrialised Mallam Muhammad, ISWAP top Commander in-charge of Vehicle Bomb Improvised Explosive Device(VBEID) in Sambisa Forest.

Muhammadu was nutrialised on May 14 after the made gradual but unprecedented incursions into the insurgents’ dens in Ukuba and Njimia in Bama Local Government Area.

The terrorists kingpin operate a major fabrication workshop where he made Person Borne Improvised Explosive Device(PBVIED) Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosives Device(VBIED) Road Side Borne Improvised Explosive Device(RSBIED).

Muhammadu had sent many under age children into suicide bombing after conscripting them into believing that when they died they will go to heaven. Among those that he used as human bombs were his three children.

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the troops also intercepted a vehicle that was already armed with explosive which was designed to target advancing troops.

Despite the obvious challenges of difficult terrain, IED threats the troops continue to maintain the momentum, remaining focused and determined to pursue and decimate the fleeing terrorists.

Army troops gun down Mallam Muhammad, ISWAP Commander incharge of VBIED

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Operation Lake Sanity 2: Troops Neutralise one Terrorist, Thwart Boko Haram Logistics Movement

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Operation Lake Sanity 2: Troops Neutralise one Terrorist, Thwart Boko Haram Logistics Movement

By: Babagana Wakil

As part of the ongoing Operation Lake Sanity 2, troops of Sector 2 Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) based in Bagasola, Chad, conducted an ambush on 13 May 2024. This operation took place on Litri Island, situated on the border between Chad and Nigeria in the Central Lake Chad, resulting in the neutralization of one terrorist. The troops were able to recover several items from the operation, including one AK 47 rifle, 2 x magazines, one unexploded ordnance device, a mobile phone, and other personal belongings. This marks a blow to terrorist capabilities in the area.

Complementing this success, on 11 May 2024, troops from 19 Brigade Sector 3 MNJTF disrupted a logistics movement by Boko Haram terrorists in the Burwarti area of Kukawa LGA, Borno State, Nigeria. The ambush led to the capture of 2 motorcycles, one Baofeng radio, 4 bags of millet, and various miscellaneous items. Following this operation, on 12 May 2024, a clearance operation from Burwarti to Daban Masara resulted in the intercept of a civilian vehicle by troops. The vehicle, driven by Mr Baba Ado, carrying passengers and empty baskets towards Daban Masara, was found 6km east of Burwarti. After a thorough search and interrogation, Mr Baba Ado, who was on the 19 Brigade’s watch list, was detained for further investigation.

Adding to these successes, on 13 May 2024, the Nigerien Gendarmerie in Sector 4 MNJTF located in Diffa, Niger Republic, seized petroleum products concealed within sacks of maize cereals. This operation, conducted about 5km from the main road on the outskirts of Diffa town, thwarted an attempt to smuggle these products past security checkpoints, products that were destined for terrorist groups operating within the Lake Chad Basin.

These collective efforts significantly undermine the logistical and operational capabilities of terrorists in the Lake Chad Basin region. The MNJTF remains committed to eradicate the menace of terrorism and restore peace and security to the region.

Operation Lake Sanity 2: Troops Neutralise one Terrorist, Thwart Boko Haram Logistics Movement

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