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 neutralize 13 bandits in Plateau offensive, recover weapons and logistics items
By: Zagazola Makama
The sustained military offensive against armed groups in Plateau State has recorded a significant breakthrough following the neutralisation of 13 suspected terrorists in Wase and Kanam Local Government Areas.
Security sources said troops under Operation Wutan Daji, on April 9, intensified clearance operations across identified terrorist corridors, including Daba and Seri villages.
The operation, which commenced at about 8:30 a.m., involved the establishment of blocking positions between Dutsen Zaki and Odare Forest, where troops made contact with armed elements moving on motorcycles.
The suspected terrorists were reportedly engaged in a firefight, resulting in the neutralisation of several of them, while others escaped with injuries.
Following exploitation of the area, troops confirmed that about 10 terrorists were neutralised during the encounter.
Items recovered from the scene included two motorcycles, five containers of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) of 25 litres each, one AK-47 rifle, and a magazine loaded with three rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.
Military authorities said the operation remains ongoing as troops continue clearance actions and exploitation of surrounding forests believed to serve as escape routes for armed groups.
The latest development reflects an intensified push by security forces to disrupt mobility corridors used by armed groups operating across Plateau’s forested and border communities.
The operation also illustrates a shift towards more aggressive blocking and interception tactics aimed at denying militants freedom of movement and access to logistics supplies.
Authorities have assured that further updates will be provided as operations progress in the affected areas.
lTroops neutralize 13 bandits in Plateau offensive, recover weapons and logistics items
Several bandits killed as Army, DSS, Local Volunteer Forces Foil Attacks on Niger Communities
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Nigerian Army, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), and local volunteer forces on Tuesday successfully foiled what locals said would have been a large-scale attack by bandits on Bagna and Erena communities in Shiroro LGA of Niger state.
Credible security sources disclosed that the move by the operatives followed advance intelligence on the the planned attack.
According to the sources, as bandits in their numbers made to storm Bagna and Erene communities, the security operatives and volunteers ambushed them, killing scores of the attackers.
“Over 300 bandits armed with dangerous weapons and on motorcycles we’re headed to the communities. Unfortunately for them, security operatives and local vigilantes, who had credible intelligence on their movements, ambushed them. Scores were killed while many others fled toward the Makuba and Allawa axis” disclosed the source.
Residents of the communities expressed gratitude to the security operatives and volunteer forces, noting that their gallantry saved them from what would have been a major disaster.
“We are very happy. We thank the joint security forces for protecting us,” one of the residents stated.
“We are witnessing an increase in collaboration between security agencies and local volunteer forces. This has led to a bridging of security gaps, and making the first line of defence against insecurity very effective,” offered the source, stressing, “their actions have helped strengthen security in several communities across the country.”
Several bandits killed as Army, DSS, Local Volunteer Forces Foil Attacks on Niger Communities
Troops arrest two suspected militia members in Kokona LGA In Nassarawa
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 2 Operation Whirl Stroke have arrested two suspected militia members during an intelligence-led operation in Kokona Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
Security sources said the suspects were arrested at about 1:15 p.m. on April 5, 2026, in Atara community following actionable intelligence.
During the operation, one of the suspects reportedly attempted to stab a soldier, prompting the troops to respond, during which he sustained a gunshot wound to the leg.
The injured suspect was evacuated to the Public Health Care facility in Bassa for medical attention.
The two suspects have since been handed over to the Nigeria Police for further investigation and possible prosecution.
Troops arrest two suspected militia members in Kokona LGA In Nassarawa
Troops rescue 21 kidnapped victims, clear bandits’ camps in forest operation in Plateau
Troops neutralize 13 bandits in Plateau offensive, recover weapons and logistics items
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