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 Kill Driver, Abduct Two Officials in Zamfara Attack
By: Zagazola Makama
Armed bandits have killed a driver, abducted two local government officials and injured another person during an attack along Tashar Lawali Road in Talata Mafara Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
Sources said the incident occurred at about 11:20 a.m. on May 18, 2026, when suspected bandits blocked the road near Jangebe District and opened fire on motorists.
According to the sources, combined teams of the Nigeria Police Force, military personnel and members of the Community Protection Guards (CPG) were immediately mobilised to the scene following a distress report.
The sources disclosed that the attackers abducted Jamilu Sani, identified as the Director of Planning in the local government area, and Muslimu Habibu, a councillor representing Jangebe Ward.
During the attack, Samaila Ladan, a registration officer with the Hajj Affairs Unit of the local government, sustained a gunshot wound to his right hand and was rescued by security operatives.
The driver of the vehicle, identified as Lawali Hakimi, reportedly died on the spot.
The injured victim was evacuated to a hospital for medical attention, while security forces commenced combing operations in the area to rescue the abducted victims and apprehend the attackers.
Authorities said patrols had also been intensified to forestall further attacks in the area.
Bandits Kill Driver, Abduct Two Officials in Zamfara Attack
.
Troops Foil Cattle Rustling Attempt in Plateau Border Community
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 3 of Operation Enduring Peace have foiled an attempted cattle rustling operation by unidentified armed men in a border community between Bassa and Jos South Local Government Areas of Plateau State.
Security sources said the incident occurred at about 11:50 p.m. on May 17, 2026, following reports of sporadic gunshots around Rigochongo village.
According to the sources, troops swiftly mobilised to the area and discovered that the gunfire emanated from a group of armed men attempting to rustle cattle within the community.
The attackers reportedly abandoned the operation and fled the area upon the arrival of security personnel.
Authorities said no casualty was recorded during the incident, while security patrols and surveillance had been intensified in the area to prevent further criminal activities.
Troops Foil Cattle Rustling Attempt in Plateau Border Community
Troops Raid Suspected Terror Logistics Network in Sokoto, Arrest 11
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Nigerian Army have arrested 11 suspects and recovered a fabricated firearm during a raid on suspected terrorist logistics suppliers in Sokoto State.
Military sources said the operation was conducted at about 11:00 a.m. on May 17, 2026, by troops of the 8 Division Garrison at Sabon Birni in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of the state.
According to the sources, the raid targeted suspected logistics hubs believed to be supplying terrorist elements operating within the area.
During the operation, troops recovered one locally fabricated pistol loaded with 10 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, alongside quantities of suspected hard drugs.
The sources added that 11 suspects were arrested from different hideouts within the area during the coordinated operation.
All suspects and recovered items were subsequently handed over to the Nigeria Police Force for further investigation and possible prosecution.
Troops Raid Suspected Terror Logistics Network in Sokoto, Arrest 11
Bandits Kill Driver, Abduct Two Officials in Zamfara Attack
NIGERIA AND CHINA: A PARTNERSHIP BUILT ON MUTUAL RESPECT, TRUST AND SHARED STRATEGIC INTEREST- NCSP
FBI Arrests Nigerian Extradited to U.S. Over Alleged $Romance Scam Targeting Elderly Victims
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
-
News1 year agoFAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
News2 years agoEYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
Opinions4 years agoPOLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
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
