Crime
NDLEA Smashes Major Drug Cartel…Arrests Leader in Village Mansion in Imo
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
Bandits abduct two, escape with motorcycles after gun duel in Zamfara
By: Zagazola Makama
Armed bandits have abducted two persons and carted away two motorcycles after blocking the Sado–Gidan Kano road in Talata Mafara Local Government Area of Zamfara state.
Sources said the incident occurred on April 20 at about 4:30 p.m. when the attackers barricaded the road and halted movement along the axis.
According to the sources, a joint security team comprising police operatives, personnel of the Area Command and 78 PMF Squadron was swiftly mobilised to the scene following a distress call from a vigilante member.
The sources said on arrival, security forces engaged the bandits in a gun battle, forcing them to flee into nearby bushes.
However, the attackers succeeded in abducting two persons and escaping with two motorcycles during the exchange.
The identities of the kidnapped victims were yet to be confirmed at the time of filing the report.
Security sources said the area had been cordoned off, while search and rescue operations were ongoing to secure the release of the abducted persons.
They added that further updates would be communicated as investigations continued.
Bandits abduct two, escape with motorcycles after gun duel in Zamfara
Troops arrest suspected intruder at Army school in Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) under Sector 2 have arrested a suspected intruder at the Army Command Secondary School in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau state.
Security sources said the suspect was apprehended at about 12:30 p.m. on April 20 after he was found attempting to gain entry into the school premises by jumping over the fence.
The sources said the individual was immediately taken into custody by troops on duty at the location.
The apprehended suspect has since been handed over to the Nigeria Police for further investigation and necessary action.
Security authorities reiterated the importance of vigilance around critical infrastructure, adding that measures were in place to prevent any breach of security within the area.
Troops arrest suspected intruder at Army school in Plateau
Troops neutralise 3 terrorists, recover rifles and motorcycles in Babbangida fighting patrol
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of 233 Battalion, operating in the Babbangida general area of Yobe state, in conjunction with members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), have neutralised three terrorists during a fighting patrol operation in Nanewa village.
Military sources told Zagazola Makama that the operation was conducted at about 5:30 p.m. on April 19 when troops on patrol in the area made contact with an ambush laid by suspected terrorists lying in wait along the route.
The patrol team, however, successfully fought through the ambush and engaged the assailants in a gun duel, resulting in the neutralisation of three terrorists.
Following the encounter, troops recovered three AK-47 rifles and five motorcycles abandoned by the fleeing attackers.
The operation was completed without casualties to friendly forces, while the patrol team later returned safely to base at about 7:15 p.m.
Security sources described the general situation in the area as calm but unpredictable, noting that troops’ morale and operational efficiency remain high.
They added that sustained patrols and clearance operations were ongoing to deny terrorist elements freedom of movement within the theatre.
Troops neutralise 3 terrorists, recover rifles and motorcycles in Babbangida fighting patrol
Communal clash at illegal mining site leaves five injured in Zamfara
Bandits abduct two, escape with motorcycles after gun duel in Zamfara
Security forces foil Kidnapping, flee after alarm in Gombe community
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