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
Crime
Troops recover body of kidnapped Fulani community leader in Plateau, arrest suspect
Troops recover body of kidnapped Fulani community leader in Plateau, arrest suspect
By:Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 4 under Operation Enduring Peace have recovered the decomposing body of a kidnapped community leader, Alhaji Lawal Abubakar Wakili of Kekong, during a search-and-rescue operation in Gashish District, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Security sources said the discovery was made at about 070930A on May 6 when troops, in collaboration with local residents, conducted a coordinated search within the fringes of Kurra, Jokko hills and surrounding bush areas.
The victim was reportedly abducted earlier at Gashish, prompting sustained search operations by troops and community members in the area.
Following the recovery of the body, tensions reportedly rose in parts of the community, with aggrieved residents demanding the release of suspects earlier arrested in connection with the kidnapping.
The sources said troops quickly brought the situation under control through engagement and assurance that due process and justice would be followed in handling the case.
In a related development, one Chiroma Bello Abdulkarim, 67, of Ningon village in Gashish District, was arrested in connection with the kidnapping and killing of the victim.
He is currently in custody undergoing investigation alongside other suspects linked to the incident.
Security operatives said calm had been restored in the area, while efforts were ongoing to track additional suspects believed to be connected to the crime.
They added that investigation was being intensified to uncover the circumstances surrounding the abduction and ensure all those involved are brought to justice.
Troops recover body of kidnapped Fulani community leader in Plateau, arrest suspect
Crime
Troops recover 34 cattle after alleged farm destruction in Plateau community
Troops recover 34 cattle after alleged farm destruction in Plateau community
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops under Sector 3 of Operation Enduring Peace have recovered 34 cattle following a reported case of farm destruction at Zobwo village in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Security sources said the troops were mobilised at about 070645A on May 6 after receiving a report of alleged malicious destruction of an irrigation farm with machetes by suspected herders in the area.

On arrival at the scene, the troops assessed the situation and subsequently conducted a follow-up operation around a nearby settlement identified as Tafi Gana within the same local government area.
During the operation, the herders reportedly fled on sighting the troops, abandoning their cattle.

The sources said the troops recovered 34 cattle from the settlement and moved them to a secure location for further necessary action.
They added that calm had since been restored in the affected area, while efforts were ongoing to ensure proper handling of the recovered livestock in line with established procedures.

Security presence has been maintained in the general area to prevent further escalation and to forestall possible reprisal incidents.
Authorities said investigation into the incident had commenced to establish circumstances surrounding the reported farm destruction and the ownership of the recovered cattle.
Troops recover 34 cattle after alleged farm destruction in Plateau community
Crime
Passenger Sues British Airways Over Alleged Missing Luggage
Passenger Sues British Airways Over Alleged Missing Luggage
By: Michael Mike
The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed July 2 for continuation of hearing in a suit filed by a passenger, Mr. Amechi Michael, against British Airways over alleged missing carry-on luggage.
At the resumed hearing, the plaintiff was cross-examined by defence counsel, Mr. John Godwin, who held the brief of Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Folorunsho Majiyagbe.
During cross-examination, Amechi told the court that he reported the incident to the airline’s customer care service and was subsequently referred to the UK-based Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution for resolution.
According to him, the arbitrator issued an award in his favour regarding the delayed flight but did not address the issue of the allegedly missing carry-on luggage.
The plaintiff further informed the court that he rejected the arbitral award because he was dissatisfied with the outcome and thereafter approached the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking redress over the alleged loss of the luggage.
Amechi argued that the airline owed him a duty of care to return the luggage and alleged that members of the airline’s staff acted negligently after a cabin crew member reportedly requested that the bag be handed over for safekeeping during a delayed boarding process.
Counsel to the plaintiff, Ms. Abiola Olaitan and Mr. Shuaib O. Hammed of Parvina Partners, informed the court of their intention to close the plaintiff’s case.
Presiding judge, Justice Obiora Egwuatu, subsequently adjourned the matter until July 2 for the defence to open its case and continuation of trial.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1293/2025, seeks recovery of the plaintiff’s carry-on luggage allegedly lost while in the custody of the airline.
The case stems from an international trip during which the plaintiff alleged that his hand luggage was taken from him by airline personnel during a delayed boarding process with assurances that it would be kept safely and returned upon arrival.
However, according to court filings, the luggage was allegedly not returned after the flight, prompting repeated complaints to the airline and subsequent dispute resolution efforts.
The dispute later moved to the arbitration stage after the passenger was referred to the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution in the United Kingdom, a mechanism frequently used by international airlines to handle customer complaints outside the courtroom.
While the arbitration process reportedly awarded compensation connected to the delayed flight, the plaintiff maintained that the core issue relating to the missing carry-on luggage remained unresolved, leading to the present legal action before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The suit is one of several recent cases highlighting growing concerns among Nigerian air travellers over passenger rights, airline accountability and compensation claims involving delayed flights, lost baggage and customer care disputes within the international aviation sector.
Passenger Sues British Airways Over Alleged Missing Luggage
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