Crime
NDLEA seized over N450 billion drugs, others from barons, traffickers in less than 2 years
NDLEA seized over N450 billion drugs, others from barons, traffickers in less than 2 years
By Michael Mike
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has made a total drug and non-drug seizures of over N450 billion from drug traffickers and barons within the last 22 months.
Also within the same period of time seizures of over 100 million pills of pharmaceutical opioid, tramadol that could have impacted negatively on the youth population and national productivity in Nigeria, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the agency, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Retd) disclosed on Tuesday in Abuja
Marwa made the disclosure during the Commands Awards/Commendations and decoration of newly promoted officers at the agency’s National Headquarters.
According to him, “Within the period under review, the agency arrested 23,907 drug traffickers including 29 barons. Our seizure was over 5,500 tons or 5.5 million kilogrammes of assorted illicit drugs, which together with cash seized are worth over N450 billion.
“In the same period, we have taken the fight to the doorsteps of cannabis growers by destroying 772. 5 hectares of cannabis farms. In these 22 months, we have record convictions of 3, 434 offenders. We have equally made good strides in our drug demand reduction efforts where the number of those counselled and rehabilitated is 16,114.
“The figures are mere statistics until you view them through the lens of human impact and the good or harm that could have come to society, the impact on public health, security as well as law and order if those dangerous drugs had gone to the street. Take, for instance, the one hundred million pills of tramadol seized in the past 22 months. If those pills had gone into circulation and ended up in the hands of young people, it would take a heavy toll on lives, families, productivity and, ultimately, the GDP of the country because it will affect these young people who are the engine room of productivity.”
Marwa while justifying the reason behind the award and promotion of staff, said “there is no gainsaying that our dedication to duty has been the driving force behind our good performance; at the same time, it is also not an exaggeration to say that our good performance is catalysed by motivation. As proven right by events in the past 24 months, management’s decision to deploy multipronged motivational mechanism to improve the organisation’s work ethic is part of the recipe for the resurgence of the agency and the resultant spectacular performance.
“On that score, management is committed to doing everything possible to improve productivity on the job. Part of that effort is why we are here today, namely the Commands Awards and Commendations.
“We usually calculate our performance as monthly, quarterly or yearly appraisals. But drug law enforcement is generally a continuum, hence, I am wont to always appraise our efforts from January 2021, when we began far-reaching reforms, reviewed our strategies and rejigged the existing systems to accommodate innovations.
“From then till now, we have been on an upward trajectory. And indeed, what we have done in the last 22 months, from January 2021 to October 2022, based on the available statistics, is cause for celebration.”
Marwa while praising President Muhammadu Buhari for his relentless support for the Agency to succeed in its given assignment, led the gathering to offer a birthday song to celebrate the President on his 80th birthday.
He charged the officers who were promoted and those who got commendation awards to rededicate themselves while assuring others with such expectations to be hopeful.
“I charge you to take this award as a testament to your professional progress. Beyond that, that you are here today should also be taken as a challenge to surpass your record every quarter and to be resolute to always be part of this bi-annual ceremony.
He said the second leg of this ceremony pertains to the decoration of some officers that were recently promoted. Last year, 3,506 officers were promoted. This year, a total of 1,018 officers have been promoted to new ranks including two DCGN, 17 ACGN, 29 CN, 78 DCN and 111 ACN. Others are 63 CSN, 106 SN, 129 DSN, 25 ASN I, 400 ASN II, 9 CNA, 44 SNA, 3 NA and 2 NAS I.
He noted that: “Promotion is a reward for industry, diligence and dedication. It is earned on merit, not given as gratis, and at times, it is subject to vacancy. What that means is that it is not everybody that deserves a promotion that gets it. From certain ranks, there is a limited vacancy in upward mobility. That brings me to this important point: to those whose expectations were not met in the just concluded promotion and harmonisation exercise, I am saying that the process is still on going as management is working to address some complaints. We will continue to put everyone concerned into consideration as soon as there are openings at the higher level.”
He however charged the officers not to rest on their oars while also urging them to abstain from any action that could undermine the collective interest of the agency in ridding the country of illicit substance abuse and trafficking. “I am obligated to give kudos for the good job you have done this year. This year’s performance is a testament to the fact that what we achieved last year was not a fluke. I enjoined us to keep up the good work, but remember, we are on a long journey, there is still long mileage to cover and there is room for improvement.
“Importantly, do not abuse the trust reposed in us by the public. I want to assure you that management is taking care of your welfare, professionalism and work entitlement.
“President Muhammadu Buhari has done this in terms of welfare packages with his approval of a number of incentives. The barrack project is also in full swing. These are indications that the future is bright for NDLEA officers. Therefore, we cannot afford to have officers that cross the lines in terms of temptations. You have got nothing to fear whether now or in retirement because we now have a good welfare package that should take care of you and your family on the job or in retirement.”
NDLEA seized over N450 billion drugs, others from barons, traffickers in less than 2 years
NDLEA Nabs Notorious Drug Kingpin ‘Kanmo-Kanmo’ After 12-Year Manhunt
By: Michael Mike
A notorious drug kingpin and mastermind of the killing of three anti-drug agents, Lekan Jimoh, popularly known as “Kanmo-Kanmo,” has been arrested by The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
According to a statement on Sunday by the spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi, the drug kingpin was arrested at his hideout twelve years after he allegedly masterminded the killing of the officers in Ogun State.
Babafemi said Jimoh was apprehended last Friday, in his hideout at Owode town, Ogun State, following a well-coordinated intelligence-led operation by NDLEA tactical teams, adding that at the point of his arrest, operatives recovered 69 kilogrammes of cannabis (commonly known as skunk) from him.
He noted that the suspect had been on the agency’s most-wanted list since 15 June 2014, when he reportedly led an armed mob that attacked NDLEA officers who had gone to arrest him. The assault resulted in the death of three officers, including Rabiu Kazaure, stating that Jimoh escaped arrest at the time, prompting a prolonged manhunt.
Babafemi also noted that in August 2023, NDLEA operatives again raided Jimoh’s residence in Ado-Odo, Ogun State, but he fled before they arrived. The agency however seized 1,922 kilogrammes of cannabis stored in 139 sacks at the property. The house was later forfeited to the Federal Government through court proceedings.
Meanwhile, the NDLEA carried out multiple operations across several states within the same period: In Edo State, operatives arrested 53-year-old Isihor Edika in Arokpa Forest, Uzebba, seizing 320 kilogrammes of cannabis and seeds.
In Abuja (FCT), a 44-year-old woman, Yinka Agboola, was arrested for selling drugs online. Officers recovered 2.2 kilogrammes of skunk and litres of cannabis oil from her home in Kaura District. Another suspect, Tordue Pius Richard, was arrested with cocaine and cannabis at Abacha Estate.
In Lagos, 118.1 kilogrammes of skunk were seized from two suspects in Mushin, while a large consignment of codeine syrup—157,519 bottles—was intercepted at Apapa Port in a joint operation with Customs and other security agencies.
In Enugu State, 116 kilogrammes of cannabis were recovered from a warehouse, and along the Onitsha–Asaba Expressway in Delta State, two suspects were arrested with over 410,800 tramadol pills, 84.2 litres of codeine syrup, 82,250 diazepam tablets, 900 swinol tablets, and 65 Molly pills.
In Oyo State, several arrests were made in Ibadan, with seizures totaling more than 330 litres of skuchies, 2.5 kilogrammes of Colorado cannabis, and nearly 10 kilogrammes of assorted cannabis strains. Over 52,000 tramadol and bromazepam pills were also recovered from a store whose owner is still at large.
In Kwara State, NDLEA raided a residence in Ilorin and seized 387.4 kilogrammes of cannabis stored in 42 bags; in Jigawa State, an ex-convict, Gaddafi Ammani, and his accomplice Ahmed Sani were arrested after Ammani attempted to escape by jumping across rooftops while armed with a machete, during which he injured an officer.
Babafemi said beyond enforcement operations, the NDLEA continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign, conducting sensitisation programmes in schools, religious centres, and communities across Kano, Lagos, Benue, Katsina, and Niger states.
Commending the officers involved, NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd) described Kanmo-Kanmo’s arrest as a major victory for justice and a tribute to the fallen officers.
He stressed that the arrest would send a strong warning to drug barons that they cannot evade justice forever.
NDLEA Nabs Notorious Drug Kingpin ‘Kanmo-Kanmo’ After 12-Year Manhunt
Nigerian Industrialist Leemon Ikpea Granted Private Audience with Pope at Vatican
By: Michael Mike
A leading Nigerian businessman and philanthropist, Dr. Leemon Ikpea, has met privately with the Pope at the Vatican in what close associates described as a deeply spiritual and inspiring moment.
Ikpea, the founding chairman and chief executive officer of the Lee Group of Companies, is a prominent figure in Nigeria’s indigenous oil and gas technology sector. The Edo State-born industrialist travelled to Rome as part of his annual spiritual devotion and to strengthen his commitment to the Catholic Church.
During the private audience, the Pontiff is said to have prayed for Ikpea and for Nigeria, urging peace, unity and development in the country. The Pope also reportedly commended the businessman for his philanthropic work and his contributions to human development initiatives both at home and abroad.
A close associate who accompanied Ikpea to the Vatican described the meeting as “humbling and uplifting.” According to him, the encounter reinforced Ikpea’s deep-rooted Catholic faith and his dedication to giving back to society despite his corporate success.
The associate further noted that the industrialist has remained connected to his modest beginnings in Ewatto, Edo State, even as he continues to expand his business interests and social investments.
Dr. Ikpea is widely known for supporting educational programmes, healthcare initiatives and community development projects across different parts of Nigeria.
The Vatican meeting is being seen by his supporters as both a spiritual milestone and a recognition of his humanitarian efforts.
Nigerian Industrialist Leemon Ikpea Granted Private Audience with Pope at Vatican
Bandits kill herder, rustle 100 cows in kubacha, kagarko LGA in Kaduna
By: Zagazola Makama
Armed bandits have killed a 70-year-old herder and rustled about 100 cows in Anguwan Pah village, Kubacha, Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Sources said the attack occurred at around 2:00 a.m. on Thursday when the bandits, reportedly in large numbers, stormed the Fulani settlement, shooting sporadically and creating panic among residents.
The victim, identified as Ardor Daudu, was fatally shot during the invasion. Relatives reportedly requested that no postmortem examination be conducted, and he was buried according to Islamic rites.
Security operatives promptly mobilized to the area following the report, photographing the scene and combing nearby bushes in an attempt to recover the stolen livestock.
Coordinated efforts are ongoing to track down the attackers and recover the rustled animals. Investigation into the incident has commenced.
Bandits kill herder, rustle 100 cows in kubacha, kagarko LGA in Kaduna
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