Metro

Cultism: NDLEA Arrests 30 Suspects Over Alleged Illicit Drugs Dealing In Edo

Published

2 years ago

July 26, 2023

Editor

The Edo Command of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested 30 suspects for allegedly engaging in drugs related offences.

Items recovered from the suspects include packs of tramadol tablets, dried and fresh weed suspected to be cannabis sativa.

Mr Ondotimi Bebetu, State Assistant Commander in charge of operations who disclosed this on Wednesday during a news briefing in Benin, said the suspects were made up of 15 male and 15 female.

Bebetu, who doubles as Spokesperson of the agency in the state, asserted that the suspects were arrested by the operatives of the command during the raids of illegal drug and drinking joints.

The raids, he said, was a fall out of the state security meeting of July 21, where the state government expressed dismay over the spate of cult activities in the state.

According to him, the activities are suspiciously linked to drugs abuse.

“The raid was a fall out of the state security meeting we had on July 21. Various issues were discussed, but the trending issue was the cultism issue in the state.

“The government is disturbed that these cultists are using what God knows to give themselves the courage, the boast to kill themselves and caused mayhem to disrupt the peace of the society.

“So at the end of the day, it was discovered that suspiciously they are under the influence of hard drugs and so, the government now decided that the state security outfits, the sister agencies should join hands together and mop up the society of this drug use.

“This is the effect of what you are seeing. We just jumped out for two day exercise – Monday and Tuesday.

“That is the result you are seeing behind me the suspects and the exhibits,” he said.

The NDLEA boss said further investigation into the case was ongoing in order to separate dealers from the users.

While he noted that drug dealers would be charged to court, he said drugs users would be counseled.

Metro

Court Jails Football Coach For Sodomising Minor Player

Published

10 hours ago

October 16, 2025

Editor

A Kano State High Court has sentenced a football coach, Hayatu Muhammad, to eight years in prison for sodomising one of his underage players.

The presiding judge, Justice Musa Dahuru Muhammad, delivered the judgment on Wednesday, sentencing Hayatu without the option of a fine.

According to the prosecution, the coach, who lives in Sanka area of Kano metropolis, committed the offence twice in different locations. He initially pleaded not guilty to the charges.

To prove the case beyond reasonable doubt, the state counsel, Barrister Ibrahim Arif Garba, presented five witnesses who testified against the defendant.

In his defense, Hayatu took the witness stand alone.

The prosecution stated that his action violated Section 284 of the Penal Code Law, which criminalises sodomy.

After reviewing all the evidence and witness statements, Justice Dahuru ruled that the prosecution had successfully proved the case.

He sentenced Hayatu to four years in prison on each of the two counts, to run concurrently — meaning he will serve a total of eight years starting from the day of the judgment.

Metro

Lagos Fire Service Rescues Woman From 60-foot Well In Ikorodu

Published

11 hours ago

October 16, 2025

Editor

The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service has saved a 32-year-old woman who accidentally fell into an uncovered well approximately 60 feet deep at No. 14 Mustapha Bolatiwa Street, off Agric Bus Stop, in the Ikorodu area of the state.

The incident, which drew a large crowd of onlookers, was described by residents as “nothing short of a miracle.”

Eyewitnesses said the woman, whose identity had not been immediately confirmed, reportedly wandered from a nearby compound and was seated on the edge of the well before losing balance and falling in.

Following a distress call, operatives of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service arrived swiftly and launched a well-coordinated rescue operation.

Confirming the incident, the Director of the agency, Mrs Margaret Adeseye, said the woman was pulled out alive after a tense and delicate rescue effort.

“She was immediately stabilised and transported to a nearby hospital for further medical care,” Adeseye said.

She cautioned residents to ensure all open wells and similar structures are securely covered to prevent avoidable accidents.

Adeseye also praised the professionalism and prompt response of her team, reaffirming the agency’s unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property across Lagos State.

Metro

DSS Arrests Two Dismissed Officers Over Impersonation, Fraud

Published

11 hours ago

October 16, 2025

Editor

The Department of State Services, DSS, has arrested two dismissed officers, Barry Donald and Victor Onyedikachi Godwin, accused of impersonating the Service to defraud unsuspecting Nigerians.

The DSS, in a statement issued on Wednesday, confirmed that both individuals, earlier declared wanted in separate public warnings, have been arrested and will be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

“The Department of State Services recently issued disclaimers on two dismissed personnel of the Service, Barry Donald and Victor Onyedikachi Godwin. These individuals were alleged to be cloaking under the Service to engage in fraudulent activities.

“The public is hereby notified that these culprits have been apprehended and will face prosecution in accordance with the law,” the Service said.

This comes after a series of alerts by the DSS warning Nigerians against dealing with the former officers dismissed for misconduct but still parading themselves as active operatives.

Recall that the secret police had raised the alarm over the activities of Victor Onyedikachi Godwin, accusing him of using the DSS name to defraud unsuspecting members of the public.

In the same vein, on October 8, a separate statement was issued concerning Barry Donald, another dismissed officer alleged to be impersonating the agency for fraudulent purposes.

The DSS said it remains committed to protecting Nigerians from impostors and maintaining public trust in the Service. It also revealed plans to publish the names of other previously dismissed personnel to prevent citizens from falling victim to similar schemes.

The DSS urged members of the public to verify all official engagements through its verified communication channels and to report any suspicious activities involving persons claiming to represent the Service.