Crime
NDLEA seizes illicit drug consignment at MMIA, intercepts 5 pregnant teenage girls exploited for child trafficking
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
Troops intercept suspected Boko Haram fuel suppliers in Yobe
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have intercepted a vehicle loaded with suspected logistics supplies for Boko Haram terrorists in Yusufari Local Government Area of Yobe State.
Security sources said the operation was carried out late on March 24 by troops of the 241 Battalion deployed at a Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Jajimaji.
According to the sources, the troops, while on night patrol, intercepted two vehicles loaded with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) at a filling station located in Yusuf Abah in Yusufari.
“On sighting the troops, the vehicles attempted to flee the scene, prompting a pursuit by the soldiers. One Golf vehicle was successfully intercepted, while the second vehicle escaped,” the source said.
A search conducted on the intercepted vehicle revealed seven sacks filled with PMS, each containing about 77 litres.
The driver of the vehicle, identified as Mohammed Idi, 25, and a motor boy, Mero Umra, 21, were arrested.
Also apprehended were the filling station manager, Hasan Liman, 50, and a security guard, Jibril Audu, 28.
Further search led to the recovery of a cash sum of N1.6 million suspected to be proceeds or funds linked to the illicit supply operation.
The suspects and recovered items are currently in military custody pending further investigation.
The interception illustrates ongoing efforts by troops of Operation Hadin Kai to disrupt the logistics network sustaining insurgent activities in the North-East.
Troops intercept suspected Boko Haram fuel suppliers in Yobe
Seven soldiers killed in ambush in tillabéri region in Niger Republic
By: Zagazola Makama
At least seven soldiers of the Nigerien Defence and Security Forces (FDS) have been killed in a deadly ambush following an incursion by suspected fighters of the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (EIGS) near Sanam in Tillabéri Region.
Security sources said the incident occurred on Tuesday, March 24, in the Sanam area, located in Abala Department.
According to the sources, heavily armed assailants attacked Wanni village at about 9:00 a.m., rustling livestock before fleeing the scene.
The FDS reportedly launched a pursuit operation but were ambushed by the attackers during the chase.
A provisional toll indicates that seven soldiers were killed, while two others sustained serious injuries and were evacuated to Niamey for medical treatment.
The sources further disclosed that one military vehicle and its crew remain unaccounted for as of the time of filing this report.
Tillabéri Region, in western Niger, has remained a hotspot of extremist violence, with frequent attacks attributed to armed groups linked to the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara.
Seven soldiers killed in ambush in tillabéri region in Niger Republic
Troops arrest two suspected terrorists’ informants in Damboa axis in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have arrested two suspected informants linked to Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists in the general area of Damboa Local Government Area of Borno.
A military source said the suspects, identified as Musa Alhaji Isah, 28, and Akona Alhaji, 30, were apprehended at about 5:30 a.m. on March 23 by troops of 25 Brigade during routine operations.
The suspects, both natives of Shiwari community in Damboa LGA, were intercepted following suspicious movements within a location described as “Serial 7 general area,” an outer deployment zone leading to the Timbuktu Triangle, a known terrorists’ enclave.
According to the source, preliminary findings suggest that the suspects may have been conducting reconnaissance for terrorist elements operating in the axis.
Items recovered from them include two bicycles, one mobile phone, three daggers, a torchlight, a wristwatch, charms, and a cash sum of N6,900.
The suspects are currently in the custody of the Military Intelligence Response unit for further investigation.
Troops arrest two suspected terrorists’ informants in Damboa axis in Borno
Troops intercept suspected Boko Haram fuel suppliers in Yobe
Seven soldiers killed in ambush in tillabéri region in Niger Republic
Troops arrest two suspected terrorists’ informants in Damboa axis in Borno
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