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
Fulani man ambushed and killed by Tiv militia in Benue
By: Zagazola Makama
A Fulani elder, Yahaya Dosu, from Awe, was ambushed and killed by suspected Tiv militia while returning from herding his cattle in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the attack occurred on Friday at Bakin Bada, when Dosu was riding his motorcycle.
The sources said that the victim was initially shot in the elbow, forcing him to attempt an escape on foot, but his assailants pursued him and fatally shot him in the head. His motorcycle and all personal belongings were reportedly taken by the attackers.
Sources identified the alleged leader of the militia as Alhaji Sarduana Ba’aju, a resident of Kange town, Gidan Umana.
Intelligence indicated that Dosu’s cattle, which had been kept in Kange for less than five days, may have been part of the motive for the attack.
Residents of the area described the deceased as a respected Fulani elder and called on authorities to investigate the killing and bring the perpetrators to justice.
Fulani man ambushed and killed by Tiv militia in Benue
Four killed, three injured in lakurwa bandit attack on baidi village, sokoto state
By: Zagazola Makama
At least four people were killed and three others injured when armed bandits attacked Baidi village, a remote hamlet in Tangaza Local Government Area (LGA) of Sokoto State, sources confirmed.
The incident occurred around 9:30 p.m. Thursday , when a large group of Lakurwa bandits, reportedly armed with sophisticated weapons, stormed the village, located along the border with the Niger Republic. Communication blackout in the area delayed immediate reporting of the attack.
Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA, Police units and the Sokoto Community Guard Corps were mobilized to the scene. The bodies and injured victims were evacuated to a hospital for autopsy and medical treatment.
Security forces are currently combing the area to track and apprehend the perpetrators, while confidence-building patrols continue to reassure residents and prevent further attacks.
Four killed, three injured in lakurwa bandit attack on baidi village, sokoto state
Indian expatriate rescued in ibadan, kidnappers still at large
By: Zagazola Makama
An Indian expatriate, Renjith Pillai, 42, has been rescued unharmed after being kidnapped at Aqua Triton Company in Ogunmakin Village, Idi-Ayunre, Ibadan, Oyo State, police sources confirmed.
The victim, whose abduction was first reported on Jan. 17, 2026, regained his freedom on Thursday evening around 6:30 p.m., according to a report from the Commander of Idi-Ayunre division.
He was reunited with his family following his release.
Police said a joint team of the police and strategic partners is currently pursuing the kidnappers, who remain at large.
Investigation into the incident is ongoing to ensure the perpetrators are apprehended and brought to justice.
Indian expatriate rescued in ibadan, kidnappers still at large
Fulani man ambushed and killed by Tiv militia in Benue
Six suspects arrested over alleged child abduction for ritual in Gombe
Five Boko Haram terrorists, three vigilantes killed in Gwoza ambush in Borno
Roger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
FAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
News2 years agoRoger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
-
Opinions4 years ago
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
-
News9 months agoFAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
Opinions4 years agoPOLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
News2 years agoEYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
ACADEMICS2 years agoA History of Biu” (2015) and The Lingering Bura-Pabir Question (1)
-
Columns2 years agoArmy University Biu: There is certain interest, but certainly not from Borno.
-
Opinions2 years agoTinubu,Shettima: The epidemic of economic, insecurity in Nigeria
