Crime
NDLEA Storms Edo Forests, Razes Warehouse Housing 317 tons of Cannabis
NDLEA Storms Edo Forests, Razes Warehouse Housing 317 tons of Cannabis
By Michael Mike
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dealt a lethal blow on a cluster of cannabis syndicates operating in the Opuje forests of Edo state where massive warehouses and tents storing over 317,417 kilogrammes (317.4 metric tons) of the psychoactive substance were destroyed and set ablaze in a two-day operation.
The clampdown came few hours after the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the agency, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Retd) vowed to make life tough for drug barons and cartels in Year 2023 if they fail to back out of the illicit drug trade.
A statement on Saturday by the spokesman of the agency, Femi Babafemi said a police impersonator, Omoruan Theophilus, 37, who parades as a Police Inspector to convey the drugs from the forests to the cities and three others: Aigberuan Jacob, 42; Ekeinde Zaza, 53, and Naomi Ohiewere, 42, were arrested in connection with the drugs.
Babafemi, while noting that the Opuje community in Owan West Local Government Area, Edo State, is notorious for cannabis cultivation, with cartels investing huge resources, cutting down economic trees of the forest reserves and cultivating cannabis on a large scale, running into hundreds of hectares, and after harvest built warehouses inside the forest reserves, employing the services of armed youths to protect the warehouses round the clock.
Babafemi said accessing the forest last Wednesday took hours of trekking by hundreds of NDLEA operatives. He said they were ambushed with bonfire by armed youths on their way out of the community the following day but were able to successfully leave the area without any casualty except the heavy investment losses inflicted on the cartels.
The spokesman also said the agency last Thursday through intelligence received from the Drug Enforcement Administration of the United States busted a criminal syndicate involved in the trafficking of fake USD currency in Lagos.
He noted that during a combined operation carried out by NDLEA operatives with their EFCC colleagues, a total of $269,000 counterfeit US dollars were recovered from the syndicate at Oniru Shoprite area of Lekki, Lagos, where three suspects were arrested.
Meanwhile, Marwa while commending all the officers involved in the two special operations in Edo and Lagos States for their professionalism and commitment, had directed that the fake dollars recovered and suspects arrested in the Lekki operation be immediately transferred to the EFCC for possible prosecution.
NDLEA Storms Edo Forests, Razes Warehouse Housing 317 tons of Cannabis
Troops Clear Terrorist Enclaves, Recover Items in Katsina Operation
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA have cleared suspected terrorist enclaves and recovered items during a coordinated offensive in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State.
Security sources said the operation was conducted at about 8:00 a.m. on April 22 by troops of 17 Brigade in collaboration with members of the Katsina State Community Watch Corps (KSCWC), with support from the Air Component of the operation.
The troops reportedly cleared identified enclaves at Radawa, Farin Tafki and Kuka Damisa during the operation.
Items recovered include one empty AK-47 magazine, two motorcycles, a horse and a vehicle.
The recovered items are currently in the custody of the troops for further action.
The sources added that the operation is part of ongoing efforts to dismantle terrorist hideouts and restore security across Katsina State.
Troops Clear Terrorist Enclaves, Recover Items in Katsina Operation
Troops Respond to Attack in Zamfara, IED Incident Recorded Without Casualties
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA have responded to a terrorist attack around Zamfarawa outpost in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State, while an improvised explosive device (IED) incident was also recorded along a nearby route.
Security sources said the troops of 1 Brigade, deployed at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Danjibga, responded at about 10:10 p.m. on April 21 after receiving reports of gunfire around the outpost.
Following the engagement, a vehicle conveying grains to Danjibga reportedly triggered an IED along the Danjibga–Kunchin Kalgo axis.
The sources said no casualties were recorded from the explosion.
They added that troops have intensified patrols and monitoring along the axis to forestall further incidents and ensure the safety of residents and road users.
Troops Respond to Attack in Zamfara, IED Incident Recorded Without Casualties
Troops Arrest Three Suspected Collaborators in Niger Offensive Operation
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops have arrested three suspected terrorist collaborators during a joint offensive operation in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.
Security sources said the operation was conducted at about 6:17 a.m. on April 22 by troops deployed at Forward Operating Bases (FOB) Audu Fari and Babana.
The troops carried out coordinated operations across multiple locations including Kuble–Lumma–Swahi, Saminaka–Kanu, Sokomba–Kabe–Kerengi–Mirami, and the Babana general area.
According to the sources, the operation was aimed at dominating the area and denying criminal elements freedom of action within the Area of Responsibility.
During the exercise, three suspected collaborators were apprehended and are currently in military custody for further action.
The sources added that troops will sustain offensive operations to dismantle criminal networks and enhance security across the area.
Troops Arrest Three Suspected Collaborators in Niger Offensive Operation
Troops Clear Terrorist Enclaves, Recover Items in Katsina Operation
Troops Repel Terrorist Infiltration in Kanama, Neutralise Four Insurgents
Troops Respond to Attack in Zamfara, IED Incident Recorded Without Casualties
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