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NDLEA seizes illicit drug consignment at MMIA, intercepts 5 pregnant teenage girls exploited for child trafficking

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NDLEA seizes illicit drug consignment at MMIA, intercepts 5 pregnant teenage girls exploited for child trafficking

By: Michael Mike

Latest attempts to export various quantities of methamphetamine and skunk by members of some transnational drug trafficking organisations through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport and courier companies in Lagos been thwarted by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) who intercepted the illicit drug consignments concealed in different items.

A statement on Sunday by the spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi read that at the Lagos airport, NDLEA operatives last Tuesday intercepted an intending passenger going to Oman, Ugwu Tochukwu, while trying to board a Qatar Airways flight, noting that upon a thorough search of his luggage, 7.50 kilogrammes of skunk were discovered concealed inside crayfish mixed with dry bitter leaf.

Babafemi added that NDLEA officers of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigations attached to some courier companies also intercepted Dubai-bound 2.9 kilogrammes of skunk and 14 grammes of methamphetamine concealed in bags of semovita and soles of ladies’ high heel shoes respectively.

He said in Imo state, operatives on patrol along Aba-Owerri expressway last Wednesday intercepted five pregnant teenage girls suspected to be victims of child trafficking used as baby factory. He disclosed that they were picked up while being relocated from their hideout in Naze area of Owerri to Ikenegbu area of the state capital.

The victims include: Chioma Emmanuel, 15; Uma Faith, 15; Divine Adimonye, 17; Opara Gift, 15; and Amarachi Mbata, 16. In their statements, they claimed they didn’t know the men who impregnated them. The Imo state command of the agency has since been directed to hand them over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, for further investigations.

Babafemi also said two suspects: Moses Akowe, 32, and Sunday Gabriel, 31, were arrested with 227.1 kilogrammes of cannabis last Tuesday at Ikebe village, Ankpa local government area of Kogi state, even as a female suspect, Bilikisu Salako, 35, was nabbed with 108 kilogrammes of same substance last Saturday in Ifo area of Ogun state.

He revealed that a total of 100 blocks of cannabis weighing 55 kilogrammes and 600 bottles of codeine-based syrup seized from the duo of Salisu Murtala and Shafi’u Dahiru last Tuesday along Abuja road have been traced to two other suspects: Muntari Nasiru and Yusuf Ali who were arrested in follow up operations in Kano.

In FCT Abuja, a 27-year-old Kingsley Chimaobi was arrested with 6,000 bottles of codeine-based syrup along Lokogoma-Abuja road last Tuesday.

Meanwhile, a Federal High Court in Lagos last Wednesday sentenced to five years imprisonment a drug dealer, Segun Odeyemi for trafficking and dealing in 3,842 kilogrammes of skunk. He was arrested on Saturday 1st July while conveying 89 jumbo bags of the illicit substance in his truck around Eleganza area of Ajah, Lekki. He was subsequently charged in suit number FHC/L/388C/2023 presided over by Justice Akintayo Aluko.

Babafemi said across the country, various commands of the agency continued their War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, sensitization activities in the past week taking advocacy messages to the stakeholders. He noted that instances of this include, WADA advocacy visit to the head of Kadiria Islamic Sect of Africa, Sheikh Qaribullah Nasiru Kabara, in Kano; WADA sensitisation lecture for men and officers of Nigerian Army, Sobi barracks, Ilorin; lecture for Muslim community in Kaduna; WADA sensitisation lecture at Enugu State College of Health and Technology, Oji- River; advocacy lecture for members of Ram Sellers Association, Osogbo as well as officers and men of the Nigerian Navy School of Music, Ota, Ogun state, among others.

Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Retd) while commending the officers and men of the MMIA, Imo, Kaduna, Ogun, Kogi, FCT and Lagos Commands as well as those of DOGI for intensifying their drug control efforts, however applauded the commitment of all the commands across the country to work with other stakeholders to take the WADA sensitization lectures and advocacy messages to the communities, schools, worship centres, work places and traditional institutions. He equally charged them not to relent.

NDLEA seizes illicit drug consignment at MMIA, intercepts 5 pregnant teenage girls exploited for child trafficking

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Gunmen attack Obajana police headquarters in Kogi, one killed, several injured

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Gunmen attack Obajana police headquarters in Kogi, one killed, several injured

By: Zagazola Makama

Unknown gunmen on Sunday night attempted to storm the Obajana Police Divisional Headquarters in Kogi State but were repelled by combined security forces, resulting in one death and multiple injuries.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the attack occurred at about 10:30 p.m. when a large number of assailants sought to invade the divisional headquarters. The attackers were confronted by joint operatives comprising the Immediate Response Team (IRT), Quick Response Unit (QRU), Counter-Terrorism Unit (CTU), Police Mobile Force (PMF), Divisional personnel, and members of Vigilante.

During the ensuing exchange of fire, several security personnel sustained gunshot wounds. Victims included Inspector Onwaye Solomon, AP attached to QRU Lokoja, as well as Ahmadu Adamu, one Ahmadu (surname yet unknown), Muhammed Usman, and Ibrahim Mustapha, all members of the Vigilante. The injured were immediately rushed to Fisayo Hospital, Obajana, for medical attention. One of the injured, Ahmadu (surname unknown), was confirmed dead by hospital authorities.

The Area Commander, ACP Metro, and the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Obajana subsequently mobilised joint security forces to carry out reprisal operations against the attackers, including bush combing, intensive surveillance, and intelligence gathering.

Police sources confirmed that the area has since been fortified and normalcy restored, while operations continue to track the fleeing assailants. Residents have been advised to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movements to security agencies.
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Troops neutralise eight terrorists in Kayamla, Sojiri villages in Borno

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Troops neutralise eight terrorists in Kayamla, Sojiri villages in Borno

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have neutralised eight terrorists during a clearance operation in Kayamla and Sojiri villages in Borno State, military sources have confirmed.

Zagazola report that the operation, codenamed Desert Sanity V, involved coordinated patrols and clearance missions targeting insurgents of the Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS/ISWAP) who were reportedly hibernating in the axis.

The troops, working closely with Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) personnel, engaged the terrorists in a well-coordinated gun battle, resulting in the neutralisation of eight insurgents. Others reportedly fled, leaving behind guns and personal weapons, including AK-47 rifles.

The sources confirmed that there were no casualties or injuries among the troops, and operational equipment was not damaged during the engagement.

The patrol team continues to conduct operations in surrounding enclaves to prevent insurgent regrouping.

Troops neutralise eight terrorists in Kayamla, Sojiri villages in Borno

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Fulani youths shot by suspected Berom militia in Jos South in latest unprovoked attack in Pleateau

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Fulani youths shot by suspected Berom militia in Jos South in latest unprovoked attack in Pleateau

By: Zagazola Makama

Two Fulani youths were ambushed late Tuesday while returning from Gero village in Jos South Local Government Area (LGA) in the latest unprovoked attack by suspected Berom militia in Plateau state.

Zagazola Makama gathered from sources that the victims, Zakariya Abdullahi and Jibrin Musa, were attacked by suspected Berom militia around 8:00 p.m. Abdullahi was killed on the spot, while Musa sustained gunshot injuries and was rushed to a nearby hospital for medical attention.

The latest ambush of Zakariya Abdullahi and Jibrin Musa fits this established pattern of escalating attacks, in which pastoral and farming communities are alternately targeted in a cycle of reprisals.

The recent spate of violence follows the deadly December 31, 2025, attack in Bum community, Chugwi area of Vwang District, Jos South LGA, where at least seven farmers were killed in their homes and farmlands. That attack occurred despite prior security alerts warning of potential threats to several rural communities.

Zagazola had link the Bum killings to an escalating cycle of reprisal attacks. On December 27, 2025, five Fulani youths were shot near Con Filling Station along Bukuru Express Road, sustaining critical injuries. Local sources allege that the gunmen, suspected Berom militia, targeted the youths without provocation as they returned from Bukuru Cattle Market.

The December violence traces further back to attacks on mining sites and pastoral assets. On December 16, 2025, gunmen attacked an illegal mining site at Tosho community, Barkin Ladi LGA, by Fulani Bandits, killing 12 miners and abducting three others. The assault reportedly followed cattle rustling in nearby communities, including the loss of 137 cattle in Nding community on December 12, and additional theft and poisoning of livestock across Jos East and Riyom LGAs.

The unrest has also seen civilian casualties, including the killing of four children in Dorong village, Foron District, Barkin Ladi LGA, in what residents describe as a Fulani reprisal attack. Other retaliatory attacks have reportedly targeted Gero village in Jos South LGA, resulting in the deaths and injury of both humans and livestock.

Despite multiple warnings and early alerts, affected communities have repeatedly decried slow response by the state government and selective enforcement that fails to dismantle armed militias on all sides.

The lack of decisive action against armed militias on both sides has fueled unending attacks, mistrust, making people in rural settlements increasingly vulnerable to attacks. Unresolved issues such as cattle rustling, livestock poisoning, and targeted killings act as triggers for revenge attacks, creating a self-perpetuating spiral of violence.

Fulani youths shot by suspected Berom militia in Jos South in latest unprovoked attack in Pleateau

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