Army troops arrest two suspected Boko Haram logistics suppliers in borno

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai, in collaboration with operatives of the Joint Intelligence Fusion Centre (JIFC), have arrested two suspected logistics suppliers to Boko Haram terrorists in Gubio town, Borno State.

A military source disclosed that the suspects, identified as Mal Bunu Gojemi and Zanna Alhaji Mallam, were apprehended at about 11:30 a.m. on Saturday during a joint logistics strangulation operation conducted by troops in the area.

According to the source, the suspects confessed during preliminary interrogation to being long-time suppliers of logistics to the Boko Haram.

Items recovered from them include three mobile phones, a traditional cap, and the sum of N40,000.

“The suspects have since been handed over to operatives of the Joint Intelligence Fusion Centre for further investigation,” the source said.

He added that the operation was carried out without any incident.

The Nigerian Army and other security agencies have continued to intensify operations aimed at cutting off logistics supply chains to insurgents as part of ongoing counter-terrorism efforts in the North-East.

Army troops arrest two suspected Boko Haram logistics suppliers in borno

NDLEA intercepts cocaine hidden in stockfish heads, arrests 80-year-old suspect, others nationwide

By: Zagazola Makama

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it has intercepted a large consignment of cocaine concealed in imported dry stockfish heads and arrested a key member of an international drug trafficking syndicate operating across several countries, including India.

The Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, Mr Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.

Babafemi said the seizure followed credible intelligence on trans-border criminal activities, which led to a coordinated sting operation by operatives of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Strategic Command at Ojo area of Lagos on March 19.

He said the operatives recovered 237 wraps of cocaine, weighing 5.80 kilograms, concealed inside stockfish heads locally known as “okporoko,” in three jumbo bags allegedly in possession of a 36-year-old suspect identified as Akputa Dickson Ejike.

According to him, the consignment was destined for Delhi, India.

Babafemi further stated that in a separate operation on March 25, NDLEA operatives at a courier company in Lagos intercepted two illicit consignments heading to the United Kingdom.

He said one of the consignments contained 1.9 kilograms of methamphetamine concealed in automobile filters, while the second contained 40 ampoules of morphine sulphate and nine ampoules of fentanyl.

The NDLEA spokesperson added that operatives of the agency also arrested a suspected female drug baron, Omolade Abigail Jolayemi, 46, popularly known as “Iya Ghana,” during a raid at her residence in Yaba, Lagos, where 135 blocks of Ghana Loud, weighing 76.30 kilograms, were recovered.

He said another suspect, Anayo Lucky Ohabiro, 39, was arrested in Surulere, Lagos, with 78 blocks of the same substance weighing 41 kilograms.

Babafemi disclosed that in Ekiti State, an 80-year-old suspect, Oke Samuel, was arrested during a special raid at Erinmo road, Efon-Alaaye, with 2.2 kilograms of skunk and methamphetamine, while another suspect was arrested in Ondo State with 894.72 kilograms of skunk recovered from an uncompleted building.

He said further operations in Benue, Edo and Taraba States led to multiple seizures, including skunk, codeine-based syrup, and cannabis concealed in animal feed, with several suspects arrested.

Babafemi added that the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy campaign also continued nationwide with sensitisation lectures in schools across Cross River, Adamawa, Oyo, Kano and Lagos States.

He commended NDLEA officers across the affected commands for the successful operations, reaffirming the agency’s commitment to balancing drug supply reduction with drug demand reduction efforts.

NDLEA intercepts cocaine hidden in stockfish heads, arrests 80-year-old suspect, others nationwide

Troops recover over 300 rustled livestock after clash between bandit factions

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation FANSAN TANMA have recovered more than 300 rustled livestock following a confrontation involving rival bandit factions operating between Katsina and Kano states.

Sources said the development followed intelligence on movements of a faction loyal to a bandit leader identified as Muhammadu Filatan, allegedly heading towards Kano State after a clash with a rival group linked to Aleiro in Zamfara State.

The source disclosed that troops of 3 Brigade, deployed at Forward Operating Bases in Tsaure, Yanchibi, Yankwada and Lakwaya, conducted fighting patrols along the riverine boundary between Katsina and Kano states to intercept the fleeing group.

“At about 4:00 p.m., troops at FOB Tsaure made contact with armed bandits at the Gulbi–Goron Dutse axis in Shanono Local Government Area of Kano State, who were moving with a large herd of rustled livestock,” the source said.

He added that troops engaged the bandits in a firefight, forcing them to abandon the animals and flee towards Gidan Gora village in Musawa Local Government Area of Katsina State.

“Following the encounter, troops recovered a total of 120 cows, 200 sheep, 39 goats and three donkeys,” he said.

According to the source, the recovered livestock were subsequently handed over to authorities in Shanono Local Government Area.

Troops recover over 300 rustled livestock after clash between bandit factions