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Thailand returnee arrested with N3.1billion heroin concealed in six bags at Lagos airport

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Thailand returnee arrested with N3.1billion heroin concealed in six bags at Lagos airport


. As NDLEA intercepts N22.7billion worth of opioids at Lekki, Apapa, Onne seaports

By: Michael Mike

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos a Nigerian returnee from Thailand, Oguejiofor Nnaemeka for importing 13.3 kilogrammes of heroin worth about N3.2 billion.

The NDLEA also at three seaports intercepted large consignments of opioids with a combined monetary value of over N22.7 billion.

A statement by the spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi on Sunday said Oguejiofor was arrested last Monday while attempting to smuggle out of the airport the illicit drug concealed in six backpacks and then packed into two big suitcases.

He said the 29-year-old graduate of Mechanical Engineering from the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli, Anambra state, had left Thailand on 3rd October on Qatar Airways flight and stopped over in Doha where he spent two days before heading to Lagos while his luggage was routed to Accra, Ghana, his original destination.

He said after arriving Lagos on the 5th October, Oguejiofor contacted the airline to reroute his luggage to Nigeria so that he can pick them up as rush bags in a bit to beat security checks, but he was however intercepted by NDLEA officers at the point of exit; and during a search of his two suitcases, three empty backpacks in each box with a large parcel of heroin neatly sewn to all the six backpacks were discovered. The six parcels were subsequently recovered with a gross weight of 13.30kg.

Babafemi said Oguejiofor, in his statement,
claimed he was hired for a fee of $7,000 upon successful delivery of the parcels. He said he was to deliver two parcels in Lagos and the other four parcels in Accra, Ghana.

In other clampdowns, Babafemi said a total of 32,607,900 pills of tramadol worth about N12.6 billion and 1,451,994 bottles of codeine-based syrup with a street value of about N10.2 billion have been intercepted at the Lekki Deep Seaport, Apapa seaport in Lagos and Port Harcourt Port Complex, Onne, Rivers state.

He noted that the combined monetary value of the seized opioids comes to over N22.7 billion.

The NDLEA spokesman said the illicit consignments were seized from containers watch listed by the agency based on intelligence and processed for 100 percent joint examination with men of the Nigeria Customs and other security agencies at the three seaports between last Monday and Friday.

In the same vein, NDLEA operatives in Anambra on Saturday arrested a suspect, Okelue Chidera, 29, with 50,000 tablets of tramadol 200mg at Upper Iweka, Onitsha.

Also, in Edo state, operatives raided a cannabis transit and loading point at Aviose, Owan West local government area where 70 bags of the psychoactive substance weighing 1,050 kilogrammes were recovered, while a suspect Monday Akele, 38, was arrested last Friday in another raid at Owan Village, Ovia North East local government area where 110 kilogrammes of same substance was seized.

Babafemi said with the same vigour, commands and formations of the agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization activities to schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others in the past week.

Meanwhile, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) while commending officers of the agency for a job well done, stated that their operational successes of officers across the country especially their balanced approach to drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts are well appreciated.

Thailand returnee arrested with N3.1billion heroin concealed in six bags at Lagos airport

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Troops Neutralise Terrorist, One Vigilante Injured in Sokoto

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Troops Neutralise Terrorist, One Vigilante Injured in Sokoto

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of the Nigerian Army have neutralised a suspected terrorist during a firefight in Wurno Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred at about 12:10 a.m. on April 23 when troops of 8 Division Garrison, deployed at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Marnona, responded to intelligence on terrorist activities at Illela village.

The sources said the troops made contact with the assailants and engaged them in a gun battle.

“Following the exchange of fire, one terrorist was neutralised, while others fled the scene,” the sources said.

They added that a vigilante member who supported the operation sustained a gunshot wound during the encounter and was evacuated for medical attention.

According to the sources, troops have continued to dominate the general area to forestall further terrorist activities.

Troops Neutralise Terrorist, One Vigilante Injured in Sokoto

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Troops Arrest Two Suspected Terrorists, Recover Items in Kogi

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Troops Arrest Two Suspected Terrorists, Recover Items in Kogi

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of the Nigerian Army have arrested two suspected terrorists during a routine patrol in Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi State.

Security sources told Zagazola that the suspects were apprehended at about 1:00 p.m. on April 22 by troops of 12 Brigade deployed at Dankolo.

The sources said the troops intercepted the suspects while on patrol along the Adankolo–Adankolo road.

According to the sources, the suspects claimed they were invited to the area for cattle rearing and provided a phone number of a civilian contact, which could not be reached.

Items recovered from the suspects include one mobile phone, two mobile phone batteries, charms, and the sum of ₦1,500.

The sources added that the suspects and recovered items are currently in the custody of 12 Mechanised Infantry Regiment for further investigation and necessary action.

They noted that the operation was part of ongoing efforts to enhance security and prevent criminal activities in the area.

Troops Arrest Two Suspected Terrorists, Recover Items in Kogi

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Troops Discover 7 Additional Terrorist Graves, 2 ISWAP Dead Bodies After Kukareta Attack

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Troops Discover 7 Additional Terrorist Graves, 2 ISWAP Dead Bodies After Kukareta Attack

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have discovered additional graves and bodies of suspected ISWAP terrorists during follow-up exploitation operations after the failed attack on Kukareta community in Borno State.

Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the latest discovery was made during continued clearance and exploitation of the general area following the earlier engagement in which 24 insurgents were neutralised.

The sources said troops uncovered 7 freshly dug graves believed to belong to terrorists killed during the encounter, as well as 2 additional bodies of suspected ISWAP fighters along withdrawal routes.

They noted that the findings further confirmed significant casualties suffered by the insurgents during the failed assault on the community.

According to the sources, the operation followed a coordinated attack launched by the terrorists in the early hours of April 23, which was decisively repelled by troops after a prolonged firefight.

Troops had earlier recovered a cache of arms and ammunition from the scene, including 18 AK-47 rifles, 3 General Purpose Machine Guns, 2 PKT anti-aircraft guns, 3 RPG tubes, 2 mortar tubes, 4 hand grenades, 18 AK-47 magazines, and large quantities of 7.62mm ammunition.

The sources added that exploitation efforts are ongoing, with troops continuing to comb surrounding areas for fleeing terrorists, additional bodies, and abandoned equipment.

They described the development as a major setback for the terrorist group, noting that sustained military pressure would be maintained to further degrade their operational capabilities.

The general security situation in the North-East theatre remains under close watch, with troops maintaining aggressive patrols and clearance operations to prevent further attacks.

Troops Discover 7 Additional Terrorist Graves, 2 ISWAP Dead Bodies After Kukareta Attack

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