Metro

NDLEA Arrests 46 Suspects, Seizes 40,000 KG Of Drugs

Published

1 month ago

August 11, 2025

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Edo State Command, has arrested 46 suspects, while seizing over 39,977 kilograms of assorted drugs in the month of July 2025.

The agency also destroyed seven cannabis plantations spanning 15.85 hectares across two local government areas.

Speaking in Benin City while presenting the command’s July operations report, the Commander of Narcotics, Mitchell Ofoyeju, said the raids were carried out in Ihama Road and other known drug hotspots across Edo State.

“The July result reflects the ongoing commitment to dismantling drug trafficking operations in the state. We apprehended 46 drug suspects, comprising 38 males and 8 females. A total of seven cannabis farms measuring 15.85 hectares across Oke Forest in Uhunmwonde and Ewere Forest in Uzebba, Owan West Local Government Areas, were destroyed.

“In all, we successfully took 39,983.294 kg of narcotic drugs out of illicit circulation. The breakdown of the drugs is as follows: cannabis, 39,977.644 kg; psychotropic substances, 5.5753 kg; methamphetamine, 0.26 grammes; cocaine, 0.0598 grammes; and 5.8 litres of codeine syrup,” he stated.

Ofoyeju added that the agency’s operations throughout July were driven by intelligence, which enabled the successful dismantling of several drug hubs and the arrest of high-profile traffickers.

“Among those apprehended was 49-year-old Alaba Monday, a suspected drug baron and long-wanted cannabis cultivator from Owan West. He was found at one of the illicit farms with eleven bags of processed cannabis weighing 115 kg.

“In a separate operation, 40-year-old Yusuf Isuku from Etsako West was intercepted along Wareke Road, Auchi, with 22 parcels of skunk—a potent cannabis strain—hidden in black Bacco bags filled with garri. The drugs weighed a total of 10.265 kg.

“Another arrest was made along the Igara-Auchi Road in Igara, where 48-year-old Josiah Friday from Akoko Edo was caught transporting five bags of cannabis weighing 36 kg concealed in black polythene sacks.

“Also taken into custody was Izunna Nwankwo, 26, from Ishielu Local Government Area in Ebonyi State. He was nabbed along Benin-Auchi Road with a large cache of psychotropic substances including 15,400 capsules of tramadol, 200 tablets of swinol, 357 tablets of molly, and 54 bottles of codeine syrup.”

“The NDLEA has also focused on dismantling local drug markets, particularly along Ihama Road in Benin City’s GRA. Arrested during the crackdown were Emmanuel Onaji, 29, from Ogbadibo in Benue State, found in possession of molly; Joshua Paul, 21, from Ovia North East, Edo State, caught with Loud; Prosper Titus, 20, from Gboko, Benue State, also caught with Loud; Andy Obioma, 28, from Kana in Rivers State; and 23-year-old Agu Emmanuel from Kachia, Kaduna State, likewise found with Loud.”

Beyond enforcement, the NDLEA also made strides in drug demand reduction.

According to the agency, 32 individuals received brief intervention counselling, while eleven persons are undergoing rehabilitation at the command’s facility.

Several public sensitisation campaigns were held throughout the month, reaching an estimated audience of over 8,000 people.

Reiterating the agency’s resolve, Ofoyeju declared: “The command remains resolute in its mandate to eradicate drug trafficking in Edo State.

“We will ensure the prosecution of all those arrested and continue our efforts to dismantle the drug cartels threatening the social fabric of our communities.”

Metro

BREAKING: Bodies Of 8 Missing Policemen Recovered In Benue

Published

1 day ago

September 22, 2025

Editor

Lifeless bodies of the eight policemen who were declared missing after a deadly attack on security operatives at Agu Centre, on the border of Katsina-Ala and Ukum LGAs of Benue State, have been recovered.

Dr Justin Shaku, Chairman of Katsina-Ala LGA disclosed this to reporters in Makurdi on Monday.

According to him, “this brings the number of officers killed to 11 (10 policemen and one BSCPG)”.

The unfortunate incident occurred on Friday, when a team of security operatives came under the attack of armed invaders.

Three personnel were immediately confirmed dead while eight others were declared missing.

Metro

Police Arrest Three Kidnappers Over ₦6.9m Ransom, Victim’s Murder

Published

1 day ago

September 22, 2025

Editor

Operatives of the Rivers State Police Command have arrested three suspected kidnappers who allegedly killed one of their victims after collecting N6.9 million ransom.

The Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed this in a statement issued on Monday.

Iringe-Koko identified the suspects as Hassan Mohammed (20) of Wandigah Town, Mandagali, Borno State; Bello Abubakar (25) of Roundabout Maura, Sokoto State; and Yusuf Ahmed (23) of Hazari LGA, Bauchi State.

She said the arrests followed an investigation into the abduction of Humphrey Wagbara of Igwuruta-Atali.

According to the PPRO, the suspects also kidnapped one Mercy Chinyere on September 12, 2025, at the same location, where they also collected a ransom of N3,500,000 before releasing her.

The statement read, “On 26th August, 2025, the Rivers State Police Command received a distressing report, suggesting the kidnapping of one Humphrey Wagbara, m of Igwuruta-Atali.

“Operatives of the Command attached to the Anti-Cultism Unit (ACU), Emohua Annexe, acting on this information and in a daring and coordinated operation on 19th September, 2025, at about 0200hrs arrested three suspects at different locations in Obio/Akpor and Ikwerre Local Government Areas of the State in connection with the kidnapping of the victim.”

Iringe-Koko said during interrogation, the suspects voluntarily confessed to their involvement in multiple kidnappings in the State.

Among their past kidnappings are those of Onwuli Jude and Nwabueze Nchekwube on September 24, 2025, at School Road, Igwuruta-Atali, where they collected a ransom of N6,900,000 before killing the victim.

“Exhibits recovered from the suspects include one G-3 rifle with Breech Number 10398, one magazine, one Itel phone belonging to Humphrey Wagbara, a kidnapped victim, three short daggers, one jack knife and one stainless short knife,” Rivers police imagemaker said.

Iringe-Koko added that the suspects and exhibits remain in police custody while detectives track other fleeing members of the syndicate and search for additional weapons.

The Command said it arrested a 48-year-old man, Emmanuel George, for allegedly defiling a 12-year-old girl (name withheld) in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

According to Iringe-Koko, George committed the offence on September 6, 2025, after luring the minor while she was sent on an errand by her aunt.