Crime
NDLEA Smashes int’l Drug Syndicate, Seizes Loud Consignments, Arrests 5 Members
NDLEA Smashes int’l Drug Syndicate, Seizes Loud Consignments, Arrests 5 Members
By: Michael Mike
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have smashed an international drug syndicate with networks in parts of Nigeria, South Africa and Thailand.
According to a statement on Sunday by the spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi, no fewer than five members of the cartel were arrested in a two-weeks intelligence led operations in Lagos, Abia and Anambra states following the seizure of their illicit drug consignments at the NAHCO import shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
He said the unravelling of the drug cartel started on Sunday 20th April when their cargo of four big suitcases arrived the NAHCO shed on an Air Peace airline flight from Johannesburg, South Africa.
He added that after days of close monitoring and investigation, the first suspect, Umeh Chisom was arrested on Wednesday 24th April after he showed up to pick two of the suitcases
containing Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis owned by a Thailand based member of the syndicate, Obum Michael.
Babafemi disclosed that the consignment of four parcels was concealed in false bottoms of the two suitcases, while the four suitcases contain a total of 17.6 kilogrammes Loud and drug candies.
He also said another member of the syndicate, Mrs. Chiwendu Ugbe whose South Africa based husband, Aloytus Ugbe sent some of the consignments, was traced to Anambra state where NDLEA officers arrested her on Saturday 27th April while attempting to collect the drug parcels sent to her by her husband.
He said two other suspects: Onyejakor Chimezie and Naaji Chukwukere, with links to the cartel were also arrested in parts of Lagos on Last Monday, with their arrest leading to another operation in Abia state where Mrs. Chinazo Osigwe was arrested when she was to pick up some of the parcels containing Loud and drug candies sent by her husband, Chidiebere Osigwe
who is equally operating from South Africa.
In other clampdowns, NDLEA operatives on stop and search operation along Abuja-Abaji highway on Wednesday 1st May intercepted a 40-feet gas tanker marked RBC 77XG and upon a thorough search discovered 511 jumbo sacks of cannabis sativa weighing 4,752 kilogrammes concealed in the gas tank compartment of the truck.
Babafemi said the consignment was loaded into the tanker in Ondo state and meant to be delivered in Abuja for further distribution. He disclosed that four suspects: Efe Abel, 39; Ebigide Cyril, 29; Ejechi Monday, 41; and Friday Chukwudi, 39, were arrested in connection with the seizure.
The spokesman said while two suspects: Aminu Umar, 25, and Anas Umar, 22, were arrested with 207.1 kilogrammes of cannabis sativa in their house at Unguwan Rimi, Basawa, Samaru, Zaria, Kaduna state last Monday, Bashir Umar, 35, was nabbed at Ladanai, Hotoro area of Kano last Friday with 194 bottles of codeine syrup.
In Osun state, NDLEA operatives last Wednesday arrested an ex-convict, 51-year-old Suleiman Usman, who is currently facing trial for another drug offence at the Federal High Court Osogbo. At the time of his latest arrest at Okinni town, Suleiman was found in possession of 4.4 grammes of Cocaine, 28.5 kilogrammes of cannabis sativa, 20 tabs of rophynol weighing 6.2 grammes and 812 pills of tramadol.
The following day, last Thursday, NDLEA operatives at Agbara checkpoint, Seme border, Badagry, Lagos State intercepted a Toyota Camry car marked KJA 825 FT conveying 113 jumbo parcels of cannabis with a total weight of 64 kilogrammes. The driver, Charles Amoni, 45, was promptly arrested.
In Bauchi state, NDLEA operatives on patrol along Bauchi-Jos road last Monday arrested Clement Chukwuka, 39, with 595 bottles of codeine; 38,260 pills of opioids such as tramadol, rohypnol and diazepam, while another suspect, Friday Ibochi was nabbed at NDLEA check point, Aloma junction, Otukpa, Benue state last Tuesday with 66 blocks of cannabis weighing 33 kilogrammes. Also, 42-year-old Ifeanyi Stanley was arrested with 12kg of same substance at Swali Jetty, Yenagoa, Bayelsa state.
Babafemi said with the same vigour, the various commands of the agency across the country continued with the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy campaign in the past week.
Meanwhile, while commending the officers and men of the MMIA, FCT, Kano, Kaduna, Osun, Seme, Bayelsa, Bauchi, and Benue commands of the agency for their outstanding feats in the past week, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Retd) equally applauded their counterparts in all the commands across the country for intensifying their WADA advocacy lectures.
NDLEA Smashes int’l Drug Syndicate, Seizes Loud Consignments, Arrests 5 Members
One Killed, Two Injured in Communal Clash in Niger
By Zagazola Makama
One person has been confirmed dead while two others sustained injuries following a communal clash between Fulani and Gwari youths in Gambwa village via Fuka area of Niger State.
Security sources said the incident occurred on April 30 when youths from both communities engaged in a violent confrontation over a disputed piece of land.
The sources disclosed that the clash led to the burning of tents and dwelling houses, causing panic among residents.
According to the sources, three persons Safe Turaki, 45; Shuaibu Ahmadu, 25; and Nasiru Yahaya, 54 sustained varying degrees of injuries during the violence.
They added that the victims were rushed to Kafin Koro Hospital for treatment, where Shuaibu was treated and discharged, Nasiru is still receiving medical care, while Safe Turaki later died from injuries sustained.
The sources further said security operatives visited the scene, restored calm, and brought the situation under control.
They noted that efforts are ongoing to apprehend those responsible for the violence, while investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding the clash.
One Killed, Two Injured in Communal Clash in Niger
Troops Rescue Two Victims, Launch Manhunt After Bandits’ Attack on Katsina–Kaduna Border
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA have rescued two kidnapped victims and launched a manhunt for suspected bandits following an attack along Gadar Iya axis on the border between Katsina and Kaduna States.
Security sources said the incident occurred at about 9:30 p.m. on May 1 when heavily armed bandits blocked the road and abducted occupants of two vehicles a Mitsubishi Canter truck and a Toyota Corolla.
The sources disclosed that the attackers kidnapped about five unidentified occupants from the truck, along with six passengers from the Toyota Corolla identified as Isiya Abubakar, Sufiyanu Gide, Rabi Isiyaku, Harira Isiyaku, Jamila, and Maliki Muhammad.
According to the sources, troops swiftly mobilised to the scene, secured the area, and commenced aggressive clearance operations.
They added that during the operation, two victims Muhammad Sani, 60, from Tambuwal Local Government Area of Sokoto State, and Khadija Isiyaku, 25, from Keffi in Nasarawa State were successfully rescued.
The sources further said the affected vehicles were evacuated to a secure location, while ongoing cordon-and-search operations are aimed at rescuing the remaining victims and apprehending the fleeing suspects.
Security presence has been intensified along the axis to prevent further incidents.
Troops Rescue Two Victims, Launch Manhunt After Bandits’ Attack on Katsina–Kaduna Border
One Killed as Security Forces Repel Bandit Attack in Katsina
By Zagazola Makama
A 21-year-old man, Musa Bashir, has been killed during a bandit attack on Unguwar Kanawa village in Dandume Local Government Area of Katsina State.
Security sources said the incident occurred at about 9:50 p.m. on May 1 when a large number of heavily armed bandits invaded the community.
The sources disclosed that security operatives, supported by military personnel and local security groups, were swiftly mobilised to the area and engaged the attackers in a fierce gun duel.
According to the sources, the bandits were overpowered and forced to retreat into a nearby forest following the exchange.
They added that during a post-attack assessment, Musa Bashir was found fatally shot.
The sources further said the victim’s body was evacuated to the General Hospital in Dandume, where he was confirmed dead by medical personnel.
Security teams have since launched a manhunt for the fleeing suspects, with intensified patrols ongoing in the area.
One Killed as Security Forces Repel Bandit Attack in Katsina
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One Killed, Two Injured in Communal Clash in Niger
Troops Foil Bandits’ Attack, Recover 27 Rustled Animals in Sokoto
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