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NDLEA sets ablaze 1.8 tonnes of cocaine

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NDLEA sets ablaze 1.8 tonnes of cocaine

NDLEA sets ablaze 1.8 tonnes of cocaine

By: Michael Mike

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has set ablaze 1.8 tonnes of cocaine recovered last week  from a warehouse in Ikorodu area of Lagos State.

The Chairman/Chief Executive of the anti-narcotics agency, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Retd) during the burning of the illicit drugs, promised that tougher time awaits drug barons and cartels operating in the country if they fail to back out of their criminal trade and embrace legitimate ventures. 

According to a statement on Tuesday by the spokesman of the agency, Femi Babafemi, the NDLEA had in a well-coordinated and intelligence led operation that lasted two days last week stormed a hidden warehouse at 6 Olukunola street, Solebo estate, Ikorodu where 1.8 tonnes of cocaine were recovered and five suspects including a Jamaican were arrested. 

He said following the historical seizure, which is the largest in the agency’s history, an order of the Federal High Court in Lagos was obtained for the public destruction of the consignment.

Speaking at the venue of the public destruction in Badagry area of Lagos on Tuesday, Marwa who was represented by the agency’s Director, Prosecution and Legal Services, Deputy Commander General of Narcotics, DCGN Sunday Joseph, said the sheer volume of the drug haul, with street value put at $278,250,000 equivalent N194,775,000,000, speaks volume about the extent of the nefarious activities of the drug underworld. 

He said this has made it imperative for Nigerians to continue to support NDLEA in the renewed war against illicit drugs.

Also Read: Popular Nigerian writer, Chimamanda Adichie, to receive…

He said out of the 1.8-tonnes seizure, 1,828 blocks of the cocaine will be crushed and set ablaze while the remnant will be secured for purpose of prosecution of the suspects who were brought to witness the procedure and sign the certificate of destruction. 

The NDLEA boss disclosed that “the agency is proceeding with the prosecution of those arrested in connection with this consignment. On this, the public can rest assured that NDLEA shall pursue the trial to a logical conclusion. Since January 25, 2021, when we commenced our offensive action against drug traffickers, the Agency has secured record convictions. Presently, 2, 904 drug offenders are serving various jail terms, while other cases are ongoing in court, which we are confident will end in positive results too.”

He said “the bust of the syndicate responsible for the cocaine warehoused in Ikorodu is a message to drug cartels that their investments in the illicit drug trade will go up in flames as you are about to witness while they also risk losing their freedom because the present NDLEA is committed to arresting, prosecuting and ensuring the conviction of those involved in illicit drugs. That is not all, we now also go after their assets acquired with the proceeds of the criminal trade.”

Marwa said the fact that the Ikorodu operation was conducted clinically without any skirmish or bloodshed is further testimony to the evolution of the NDLEA and its new capabilities, and a pointer to the fact that the game has changed in the war against illicit drugs.

He expressed appreciation to the agency’s international partners, especially the American Drug Enforcement Administration (US-DEA) that supported the cocaine syndicate bust and the Nigerian military that provided additional firepower during the operation, as well as other law enforcement agencies that have been supporting efforts to rid Nigeria of illicit drugs.

Marwa while soliciting for more support for the Agency’s work, reiterated that “the safety of our society is the responsibility of every one of us and every citizen shall be fulfilling his or her civic duty by assisting the agency to clean up our communities and cities by joining our War Against Drug Abuse (WADA)”

He however insisted that “together, we can make this country secure.”

NDLEA sets ablaze 1.8 tonnes of cocaine

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ISWAP ambush mobile police patrol team in Yobe

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ISWAP ambush mobile police patrol team in Yobe

By: Zagazola Makama

Suspected members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) on Wednesday ambushed a mobile police patrol team along the Bara–Gulani axis of Yobe State, inflicting injuries on two officers and carting away a rifle.

Zagazola learnt the ambush occurred at about 5:00 p.m. while the team, comprising operatives from 19 PMF on special duty in Bara and 79 PMF Buni Yadi, was responding to a distress call from Kojoli village in Gulani Local Government Area.

It was gathered that the officers had been alerted by residents after armed herders reportedly invaded local rice farms and destroyed crops. The patrol team, led by ASP Sunday Yunana, moved to the scene but came under heavy attack from the assailants.

The insurgents, believed to be operating under the ISWAP faction, opened fire using assault rifles and other weapons before retreating into the bush.

Two personnel, identified as Sgt. Abdullahi Aminu and Cpl. Aliyu Suleiman, sustained machete injuries during the exchange, while one of their rifles was initially seized by the attackers.

However, the team reportedly fought back, recovering the stolen weapon and dispersing the attackers after an intense gun battle. A large herd of cattle suspected to have been used by the assailants to cover their movement was also recovered.

The wounded officers were evacuated to the General Hospital in Bara for treatment, while security reinforcements were deployed to the area to forestall further attacks.

ISWAP ambush mobile police patrol team in Yobe

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Notorious bandit kingpin Jankare killed by rival in Katsina

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Notorious bandit kingpin Jankare killed by rival in Katsina

By: Zagazola Makama

A notorious bandit leader known as Jankare has been killed by a rival group during a violent dispute along the Dutsenma axis of Katsina State.

Zagazola report that the incident occurred after a disagreement erupted between Jankare and another bandit commander over recent criminal activities and control of territories in the area.

Jankare, who had long terrorised communities across parts of Dutsenma and neighbouring local government areas, was reportedly shot dead during the confrontation.

The slain bandit was notorious for leading several deadly attacks, kidnappings, and cattle rustling operations in the region. He was also known for maintaining an active presence on TikTok, where he often flaunted weapons and mocked security forces.

Sources disclosed that Jankare recently attended a meeting convened by bandit leaders to resolve disputes and coordinate operations before his fallout with rivals led to his death.

Security operatives are said to be monitoring the situation closely to prevent possible reprisal attacks among the rival groups.

Notorious bandit kingpin Jankare killed by rival in Katsina

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One killed as rival groups clash over Donga Central Mosque in Taraba

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One killed as rival groups clash over Donga Central Mosque in Taraba

By: Zagazola Makama

A violent clash between two rival groups over ownership of the Donga Central Mosque in Taraba State has claimed the life of one person and left property destroyed.

Sources said that the incident occurred on Tuesday evening following reports that members of the Izala Jos sect and the Danburam family were planning to forcefully gain access into the disputed mosque in Donga town.

Upon receiving intelligence about the planned confrontation, police authorities immediately summoned both parties and warned them against any act capable of breaching public peace.

In collaboration with other security agencies, personnel were deployed to the mosque to prevent a breakdown of law and order.

However, despite the intervention, both groups reportedly mobilised in large numbers, armed with dane guns, cutlasses and stones, leading to a violent clash.

Security operatives dispersed the rioters using smoke grenades, but not before one person, identified as Biliya Zakari, aged 20, of Asibiti Ward, was killed.

A temporary structure close to the mosque was also destroyed during the unrest.

Authorities said the area is now calm, though additional reinforcements have been requested to maintain peace and order.

One killed as rival groups clash over Donga Central Mosque in Taraba

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