Crime
South African Woman Bags 40 years for 5.75kg Heroin at Nigerian Airport
South African Woman Bags 40 years for 5.75kg Heroin at Nigerian Airport
By: Michael Mike
A Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday sentenced a 38-year-old South African woman to 40 years imprisonment for importing 5.75 kilogrammes of heroin into Nigeria using her three-year-old son as cover.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu convicted Ms. Will Jessica Ann on two counts of importation and conspiracy to import heroin in charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/422/2026, which she pleaded guilty to.
The court sentenced her to 15 years on count one and 25 years on count two. The sentences will run concurrently. She will effectively spend 25 years in jail.
Ann was arrested on July 6, 2026, by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, during the inward clearance of passengers on Qatar Airways flight QR 1433 from Doha at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
NDLEA said she concealed 14 large blocks of heroin in two checked-in bags and travelled with her toddler to evade security screening.
According to the agency, she initially denied owning any checked luggage. Officers, however, linked two bags containing the drugs to her through baggage tags that tallied with claim tags attached to her passport.
She later admitted ownership, claiming she forgot she checked in the bags. She told investigators she flew in from Cambodia through Doha to Abuja.
Intelligence, NDLEA said, shows she is a member of a transnational drug trafficking organisation operating along the Cambodian-South African axis with her husband and partner, Jan Coenraad De Jager.
De Jager, who is based in Cambodia, was arrested in Johannesburg, South Africa, on July 27, 2026, while attempting to traffic 3.2 kilogrammes of illicit drugs to Hong Kong.
Reacting to the conviction, NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd), said the judgment demonstrates the judiciary’s resolve to support the agency’s war against drug trafficking.
Marwa said the conviction reinforces the agency’s position that Nigeria will not be a soft landing for international drug cartels.
He said the arrest of the convict’s partner three weeks after her arrest in Abuja underscores the strength of intelligence-sharing and collaboration between NDLEA and its foreign partners.
He said the agency will continue to strengthen airport interdiction and international collaboration to dismantle trafficking networks using Nigeria as a corridor.
Marwa warned that anyone, regardless of nationality, caught trafficking illicit drugs through Nigeria will face the full weight of the law.
South African Woman Bags 40 years for 5.75kg Heroin at Nigerian Airport
Troops Foil Attack on Rim Community in Plateau, Recover Four Motorcycles
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP), in collaboration with special forces and Department of State Services (DSS) personnel, have foiled an attack on Rim community in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Security sources said the incident occurred at about 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 8, when troops of Sector 6 responded to a report of an attack on the community.
The sources said the troops and other security personnel established contact with the suspected gunmen upon arrival at the scene.
The assailants reportedly fled in disarray into nearby bushes following an exchange of fire with the security personnel.
The troops subsequently combed the area and recovered four motorcycles believed to have been abandoned by the fleeing gunmen.
A manhunt has been launched to track down the suspects, while security personnel continue efforts to prevent further attacks and protect residents of the community.
Further details are expected as the operation progresses.
Troops Foil Attack on Rim Community in Plateau, Recover Four Motorcycles
Crime
Suspected Berom Militia attack fulani youths returning from mosque, kill one, injure another in Plateau
Suspected Berom Militia attack fulani youths returning from mosque, kill one, injure another in Plateau
By Zagazola Makama
Suspected Berom militia have reportedly killed a 28-year-old man and injured another in in a targeted attack on the fulani while they were returning from Maghreb prayers along the Dorowa–Rafamol road in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Security sources said the incident occurred at about 5:42 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 9, following a distress call from Rafamol community.
The sources said troops who responded to the call discovered that two persons had been shot by the suspected attackers.
One of the victims, identified as Abdullahi Yakubu, was reportedly killed at the scene, while the second victim, Abdullahi Aminu, sustained a gunshot wound to the leg.
Aminu was subsequently taken to Barkin Ladi General Hospital, where he is receiving medical treatment. According to the sources, three empty cartridge cases of 7.62mm ammunition were recovered at the scene
Troops have since intensified security operations around Dorowa Babuje and Rafamol communities to track down the perpetrators and prevent possible reprisals or further escalation of tensions.
Suspected Berom Militia attack fulani youths returning from mosque, kill one, injure another in Plateau
Troops raid suspected robbers’ hideout in Nasarawa, recover motorcycle
By: Zagazola Makama
LAFIA — Troops of Sector 2, Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), have conducted a clearance operation on a suspected robbery hideout at Agwatashi in Obi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the operation was carried out at about 4:00 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 6, following information on the suspected hideout of armed robbers in the area.
The troops searched the location but made no contact with the suspected criminals, who were believed to have fled before their arrival.
During the operation, the troops recovered one motorcycle and other miscellaneous items suspected to be associated with the activities of the group.
The recovered items have been taken into military custody for further investigation and necessary action.
Security agencies are expected to sustain clearance operations across the area to deny criminal elements freedom of movement and prevent them from establishing operational bases in the community.
Troops raid suspected robbers’ hideout in Nasarawa, recover motorcycle
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