Crime
NDLEA seized N194 billion worth of cocaine in largest single bust- Arrests 4 drug barons, 1 other
NDLEA seized N194 billion worth of cocaine in largest single bust- Arrests 4 drug barons, 1 other
By: Michael Mike
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have busted a major warehouse in a secluded estate in Ikorodu area of Lagos where 1.8 tonnes (1,855 kilogrammes) of cocaine with street value of $278,250,000 (approximately $278.3 million) or N194, 775,000,000 (approximately N194.8 billion) were seized.
A statement on Monday by the spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi revealed that the seized drug is perhaps the biggest singular cocaine seizure in the history of the country.
According to the statement, at least four drug barons including a Jamaican and the warehouse manager have been arrested in the well-coordinated and intelligence led operation that lasted two days across different locations in Lagos state.
Babafemi said kingpins of the cocaine cartel in custody include: Messrs Soji Jibril, 69; Emmanuel Chukwu, 65; Wasiu Akinade, 53; Sunday Oguntelure, 53, and Kelvin Smith, 42, a native of Kingston, Jamaica.
He said they are all members of an international drug syndicate that the agency has been trailing since 2018.
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He revealed that the warehouse located at 6 Olukuola crescent, Solebo estate, Ikorodu, was raided last Sunday while the barons were picked from hotels and their hideouts in different parts of Lagos between Sunday night and yesterday.
He said preliminary investigation revealed the class A drugs were warehoused in the residential estate from where the cartel was trying to sell them to buyers in Europe, Asia and other parts of the world. They were stored in 10 travel bags and 13 drums.
Meanwhile, the Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Retd) while commending all the officers and men of the agency involved in the extensive investigation including those of the American Drug Enforcement Administration, (US-DEA), said the bust is a historical blow to the drug cartels and a strong warning that they will all go down if they fail to realise that the game has changed.
NDLEA seized N194 billion worth of cocaine in largest single bust- Arrests 4 drug barons, 1 other
Borno troops repel Boko Haram attack in Hawul, one killed
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have successfully repelled simultaneous attacks by ISWAP terrorists on Jihuhi and Harang villages in Hawul Local Government Area of Borno State, leaving one person dead.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that on Jan. 27 at about 1630 hours, the terrorists invaded the villages, firing indiscriminately and setting several houses ablaze.
The attack fatally injured Adamu Inusa, also known as Daddy, 35, a member of the Hunters Group in Hawul.
He was evacuated to General Hospital Hawul, where he was confirmed dead on arrival. His corpse has been deposited at the hospital mortuary and will be released to his family for Islamic burial after clearance operations in the affected communities.
A combined team of troops of Operation HADIN KAI, police tactical units, and local Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF)/Hunters groups responded promptly, engaging the terrorists and successfully repelling the attack.
The area remains under close monitoring as security forces continue clearance and patrol operations.
Borno troops repel Boko Haram attack in Hawul, one killed
Bandit attack in Zamfara leaves three abducted, immigration officer injured
By Zagazola Makama
A banditry attack in Damba Local Government Area of Zamfara State left three people abducted and an immigration officer injured, authorities confirmed.
A source said on Jan. 28 at about 12:30 a.m., a group of armed men, suspected to be bandits, launched an attack on a rented accommodation adjacent to the Federal College of Education, Technical (FCET), Gusau, firing sporadically.
During the raid, Insp. Gabriel Abah of the Immigration Service was shot, sustaining a fractured leg. Security forces swiftly responded, engaging the assailants and recovering a G3 rifle and one round of G3 ammunition.
“The injured officer is receiving medical treatment, while efforts continue to locate and rescue the abducted victims,” the source said.
The incident remains under investigation, and security agencies are pursuing the perpetrators.
Bandit attack in Zamfara leaves three abducted, immigration officer injured
Troops, police rescue eight kidnap victims in Kaduna forest
By: Zagazola Makama
The Nigerian Army troops of Sector 7 of Operation OPEP, in collaboration with the Zango Kataf Police Area Command, Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), Forest Guards and local hunters, have rescued eight kidnapped victims from Badurum Kasa Forest in Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
A security source told Zagazola Makama that the successful operation was carried out on Jan. 28 following actionable intelligence on the hideout of the kidnappers.
According to the source, the joint team mobilised at about 4:23 p.m. and advanced into the forest, where they made contact with the criminals around 5:59 p.m.
“On sighting the troops, the kidnappers abandoned their captives and fled in disarray into the surrounding bushes,” the source said.
The source added that all the victims were rescued unharmed and immediately evacuated from the forest.
Those rescued were identified as Mrs Rashida Musa, Mrs Hafsat Nuhu, Mr Zakari Saleh, Miss Hasiya Yahaya, Mr Ahmed Yahaya, Mr Ibrahim Saiba, Miss Salma Yahaya and Mr Sophan Idris.
“They were all successfully reunited with their families after medical checks and initial debriefing,” the source said.
The troops have commenced follow-up operations to exploit the area and track down the fleeing suspects.
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