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 rescue three kidnap victims in Plateau, one abducted in Taraba four months ago
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN have rescued three kidnapped victims during separate operations in Wase and Bassa Local Government Areas of Plateau State.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the first operation was conducted at about 9:50 a.m. on July 15 when troops of Sector 2, while on an offensive operation, rescued two kidnapped victims at Dogon Ruwa village in Wase LGA.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the victims had been abducted on March 15, 2026, at Kamna Village in Karim Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State before they were eventually rescued in Plateau State after about four months in captivity.
The rescued victims were subsequently handed over to the Madaki of Dogon Ruwa Village for further necessary action and reunification with their families.
In a separate operation conducted earlier at about 4:00 a.m. on the same day, troops of Sector 3, in collaboration with local vigilantes and hunters, responded to reports of the abduction of a resident from his home at Kissayip Village in Bassa Local Government Area.
The joint security team successfully rescued the victim and evacuated him to the Danjuma Ogar Medical Centre in Jebbu Bassa for medical attention.
Military sources said the operations form part of sustained efforts by Operation SAFE HAVEN to combat kidnapping and other violent crimes across Plateau State and adjoining areas.
They added that troops have continued offensive and confidence-building operations aimed at denying criminal elements freedom of action and enhancing security across the Joint Operations Area.
Troops rescue three kidnap victims in Plateau, one abducted in Taraba four months ago
Troops foil motorcycle snatching attempt by local criminals in Plateau, rescue injured rider
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 8, Operation Enduring Peace have foiled an attempted motorcycle snatching and rescued an injured rider in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred at about 8:05 p.m. on July 15 while troops of Sub-Sector 81, Gyambwas, were on routine patrol along the Chanso–Gebrel road.
According to the sources, the troops responded after hearing the screams of a distressed individual and immediately moved to the scene.
On arrival, the troops sighted two suspects fleeing into the surrounding area, abandoning the victim and his motorcycle.
The victim, identified as Aron Irimiya, 28, sustained machete cuts during the attack.
He told the troops that the fleeing suspects had attempted to dispossess him of his motorcycle before they were forced to flee by the arrival of the security personnel.
The troops evacuated the injured victim to a Primary Health Centre, where he is receiving medical treatment.
Military sources said efforts are ongoing to track down and arrest the fleeing suspects, while security patrols have been intensified in the area to deter further criminal activities.
The operation forms part of Operation Enduring Peace continued efforts to combat violent crimes and improve security across Plateau State.
Troops foil motorcycle snatching attempt by local criminals in Plateau, rescue injured rider
Crime
Troops intercept suspected ISWAP logistics suppliers, recover food, veterinary supplies in Borno
Troops intercept suspected ISWAP logistics suppliers, recover food, veterinary supplies in Borno
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have intercepted suspected Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) logistics suppliers and recovered food items, veterinary medicines and other supplies in Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the operation occurred at about 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday during a farm protection patrol by troops of the 19 Battalion (Motorised) in conjunction with the 25 Brigade Garrison.
According to the sources, the troops sighted two suspected terrorist logistics suppliers ahead of Kauji Road in Damboa LGA.
The suspects reportedly fled on sighting the troops, abandoning their bicycles and the items they were conveying.
The troops pursued the fleeing suspects but were unable to make contact as they escaped into the surrounding area.
Items recovered at the scene included two bicycles, five cartons of energy drinks, one carton of milk, one carton of soft drinks, two cartons of veterinary medicines and one blue canopy.
The recovered items have been taken into military custody for further investigation and necessary action.
Troops intercept suspected ISWAP logistics suppliers, recover food, veterinary supplies in Borno
Troops arrest suspected ISWAP informant linked to June attack on Gubio
Troops foil kidnap attempt in Benue, respond to distress call in Ukum
Troops rescue three kidnap victims in Plateau, one abducted in Taraba four months ago
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