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
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
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