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 Neutralise Terrorist, One Vigilante Injured in Sokoto
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Nigerian Army have neutralised a suspected terrorist during a firefight in Wurno Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred at about 12:10 a.m. on April 23 when troops of 8 Division Garrison, deployed at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Marnona, responded to intelligence on terrorist activities at Illela village.
The sources said the troops made contact with the assailants and engaged them in a gun battle.
“Following the exchange of fire, one terrorist was neutralised, while others fled the scene,” the sources said.
They added that a vigilante member who supported the operation sustained a gunshot wound during the encounter and was evacuated for medical attention.
According to the sources, troops have continued to dominate the general area to forestall further terrorist activities.
Troops Neutralise Terrorist, One Vigilante Injured in Sokoto
Troops Arrest Two Suspected Terrorists, Recover Items in Kogi
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Nigerian Army have arrested two suspected terrorists during a routine patrol in Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi State.
Security sources told Zagazola that the suspects were apprehended at about 1:00 p.m. on April 22 by troops of 12 Brigade deployed at Dankolo.
The sources said the troops intercepted the suspects while on patrol along the Adankolo–Adankolo road.
According to the sources, the suspects claimed they were invited to the area for cattle rearing and provided a phone number of a civilian contact, which could not be reached.
Items recovered from the suspects include one mobile phone, two mobile phone batteries, charms, and the sum of ₦1,500.
The sources added that the suspects and recovered items are currently in the custody of 12 Mechanised Infantry Regiment for further investigation and necessary action.
They noted that the operation was part of ongoing efforts to enhance security and prevent criminal activities in the area.
Troops Arrest Two Suspected Terrorists, Recover Items in Kogi
Troops Discover 7 Additional Terrorist Graves, 2 ISWAP Dead Bodies After Kukareta Attack
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have discovered additional graves and bodies of suspected ISWAP terrorists during follow-up exploitation operations after the failed attack on Kukareta community in Borno State.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the latest discovery was made during continued clearance and exploitation of the general area following the earlier engagement in which 24 insurgents were neutralised.
The sources said troops uncovered 7 freshly dug graves believed to belong to terrorists killed during the encounter, as well as 2 additional bodies of suspected ISWAP fighters along withdrawal routes.
They noted that the findings further confirmed significant casualties suffered by the insurgents during the failed assault on the community.
According to the sources, the operation followed a coordinated attack launched by the terrorists in the early hours of April 23, which was decisively repelled by troops after a prolonged firefight.
Troops had earlier recovered a cache of arms and ammunition from the scene, including 18 AK-47 rifles, 3 General Purpose Machine Guns, 2 PKT anti-aircraft guns, 3 RPG tubes, 2 mortar tubes, 4 hand grenades, 18 AK-47 magazines, and large quantities of 7.62mm ammunition.
The sources added that exploitation efforts are ongoing, with troops continuing to comb surrounding areas for fleeing terrorists, additional bodies, and abandoned equipment.
They described the development as a major setback for the terrorist group, noting that sustained military pressure would be maintained to further degrade their operational capabilities.
The general security situation in the North-East theatre remains under close watch, with troops maintaining aggressive patrols and clearance operations to prevent further attacks.
Troops Discover 7 Additional Terrorist Graves, 2 ISWAP Dead Bodies After Kukareta Attack
Troops Neutralise Terrorist, One Vigilante Injured in Sokoto
Troops Neutralise Terrorist, One Vigilante Injured in Sokoto
Troops Arrest Two Suspected Terrorists, Recover Items in Kogi
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