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NDLEA Smashes Major Drug Cartel…Arrests Leader in Village Mansion in Imo

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NDLEA Smashes Major Drug Cartel
…Arrests Leader in Village Mansion in Imo

By: Michael Mike

A major drug cartel behind the production and distribution of deadly psychoactive substance, methamphetamine, popularly called ‘mkpuru mmiri’ has been smashed by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) as the leader of the syndicate 42-year-old Chikaodi Mbonu is arrested with his associate in his mansion tucked in his Umuomi village, Uzogba-Ezenomi autonomous community, Ikeduru local government area of Imo State.

The spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi in a statement on Tuesday said the cartel with operational bases in Imo and Rivers state became a target of the NDLEA following intelligence indicating it is responsible for the distribution of substantial quantity of methamphetamine in South East, South South and other parts of the country.

Babafemi said after weeks of surveillance, officers of a special operations unit of the agency last Friday, tracked and traced the drug lord to his village mansion in Imo state where he was caught with a member of his cartel, Chibuike Ofoegbu, 34, with different quantities of methamphetamine, its precursor chemicals, a pump action gun and cartridges.

Babafemi while disclosing the exhibits recovered from the house to include: 419.99 grammes of methamphetamine; 750 grammes of iodine, a precursor chemical for meth; 500 grammes of sodium bicarbonate, a precursor chemical for meth; two electronic weighing scales and a pump action gun with four cartridges, noted that the operatives moved swiftly to another of Mbonu’s hideout located at 11 Redemption Avenue, Port Harcourt, Rivers state where they recovered additional exhibits: 750 grammes of processed sodium bicarbonate; 170 grammes of plain sodium bicarbonate and 75 grammes of meth.

The spokesman said another raid in the home of one of Mbonu’s associates, Odoemenam Chinedu, currently at large, at Njaba local government area, Imo state, led to the recovery of another pump action gun with 25 cartridges, among other items.

He said: “While the kingpin cools his heels in custody, two of his mansions in Imo state have been marked for possible forfeiture to the federal government.”

Babafemi said Mbonu had escaped from South Africa where he lived for years and mastered the art of cooking methamphetamine after he came under investigation for drug dealings, adding that upon his return to Nigeria, he continued the criminal trade by setting up clandestine laboratories in remote villages to shield his nefarious activities.

Meanwhile, while reacting to the successful taking down of the meth syndicate, Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd) commended the officers and men involved in the multi-pronged operation, stating that the manner the interdiction was carried out should send a strong signal to other cartels that there’s no hiding place for them in any part of the country.

NDLEA Smashes Major Drug Cartel
…Arrests Leader in Village Mansion in Imo

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Crime

Troops intensify crackdown on gunrunners fuelling banditry in Plateau

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Troops intensify crackdown on gunrunners fuelling banditry in Plateau

By: Zagazola Makama

In the fight against the hydra-headed menace of banditry, troops of 3 Division/Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE (OPEP) have recorded a major breakthrough in Plateau, neutralising a notorious gunrunner and recovering a cache of arms and ammunition.

The feat, achieved between Sept. 4 and 6, highlights the military’s growing resolve to dismantle the criminal logistics networks that have long sustained armed violence in the North-Central.

The gunrunner, described as a “high-value target” by security sources, had allegedly played a critical role in supplying bandits with rifles, magazines, and other logistics across Plateau and neighbouring states.

His neutralisation, officials say, has dealt a heavy blow to the illicit supply chain that has prolonged insecurity in the region.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that credible intelligence led troops to track the suspect to a hideout where he was receiving treatment for gunshot wounds on Sept. 4. He was swiftly apprehended and later confessed to his role as a logistics supplier, even agreeing to lead troops to his arms cache.

Two days later, on Sept. 6, troops launched a follow-up operation at the identified hideout. The mission, however, was anything but routine. As troops closed in, they came under heavy fire from the suspect’s gang members, resulting in a fierce exchange.

In the chaos, the gunrunner attempted to escape but was neutralised by the troops’ superior firepower. His cohorts, badly shaken by the encounter, fled the scene with gunshot wounds.

The troops subsequently combed the area, uncovering the concealed weapons: two AK-47 rifles and two magazines, which are now in custody.

The recovery, though modest in numbers, represents something bigger in the larger security equation: the deliberate targeting of supply chains that keep bandits armed and emboldened.

The bandit gangs rely not only on local recruits but also on a shadowy network of financiers, informants, and arms dealers. By dismantling this network, the military is effectively cutting off the oxygen that sustains criminal groups.

Troops intensify crackdown on gunrunners fuelling banditry in Plateau

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Troops crush ISWAP terrorists after deadly attack on Darajamal community in Borno

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Troops crush ISWAP terrorists after deadly attack on Darajamal community in Borno

By: Zagazola Makama

Residents of Darajamal village in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State are still reeling from a bloody attack launched by Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists, even as combined troops of Operation Hadin Kai responded swiftly to neutralise the perpetrators.

Zagazola Makama reports that the incident occurred on Friday night when the terrorists stormed the remote community, unleashing violence that claimed the lives of several villagers.

Witnesses said the attackers invaded the community and opened fire indiscriminately, causing panic among residents who fled into nearby bushes for safety.

A security source told Zagazola Makama that troops of Operation Hadin Kai, supported by the Air Component, immediately mobilised after receiving distress calls from the area.

“Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft were deployed and tracked the terrorists as they attempted to flee northwards from Darajamal after the attack. The aircrew confirmed the presence of friendly forces in the area before engaging the fleeing terrorists with successive airstrikes.

“Over 30 of the insurgents were neutralised in the strikes, while ground reinforcements secured the community shortly after the bombardment,” the source said, as more terrorists fatalities are still being counted.

It was gathered that the coordinated air and ground operation prevented the insurgents from regrouping, forcing survivors of the attack to retreat deeper into the Sambisa forest.

Security sources confirmed that calm had been restored to Darajamal, adding that search operations were ongoing in nearby villages to reassure displaced residents and forestall any reprisal attacks.

Meanwhile, humanitarian workers have expressed concern over the plight of survivors who lost loved ones and properties in the initial assault before troops intervened. Aid groups say immediate relief, including food, medical support, and psychosocial care, will be critical for the affected community.

Governor Babagana Zulum and the Military High Command are expected to visit Darajamal to access the current situation.

Troops crush ISWAP terrorists after deadly attack on Darajamal community in Borno

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Troops arrest terrorist informants, logistics suppliers in Sokoto

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Troops arrest terrorist informants, logistics suppliers in Sokoto

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA have arrested two suspected terrorist informants and logistics suppliers in Gudu Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the suspects were apprehended on Sept. 4 during a fighting patrol to Yaka village by a quick response team.

The suspects, according to the source, are in troop custody for further investigation and action.

Troops arrest terrorist informants, logistics suppliers in Sokoto

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