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NDLEA Arrests 70-year-old Grandpa, Intercepts N2.1bn Codeine, Loud Consignments[PHOTOS]

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has seized codeine-based syrup and Loud, a synthetic cannabis strain worth over N2.1 billion at the Port Harcourt seaports and the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.

This was made known in a statement signed by the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, and shared on the agency’s website on Sunday.

Additionally, NDLEA operatives arrested a 70-year-old grandfather with 57.2kg of cannabis in Nasarawa State, and two suspects with 426kg of cannabis in Ekiti State.

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Other arrests were made in the FCT, Katsina, and Nasarawa.

READ ALSO: NDLEA Arrests Physically Challenged With 178 Grams Of Tramadol, Others In Edo

The statement said, “Large consignments of codeine-based syrup and Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis worth over N2.1bn in street value have been intercepted at the Port Harcourt seaports, Onne and the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA Ikeja by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA.

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“At the Lagos airport, NDLEA officers with the cooperation of other security agencies on Friday 31st May 2024 intercepted a large consignment of Loud, packed in eight suitcases, containing 320 parcels with a total weight of 164.50kg of the strong psychoactive substance coming from Canada on a KLM flight via Amsterdam, Netherlands.

“The consignment estimated to be worth N960m which was brought in by a passenger, Ughenu Nnaife Francis was discovered at the E-arrival hall of the airport by personnel of NDLEA, Customs and others during a joint search operation by the security operatives while the suspect was attempting to smuggle the suitcases out of the hall.”

According to the statement, the suspect arrested at the Lagos airport claimed he was recruited to transport drugs from Canada to Nigeria for a fee of 6 million naira.

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READ ALSO: PHOTOS: NDLEA Arrests Paris-bound Businessman With 111 Wraps Of Cocaine

He said he was a resident of Germany but travelled to Toronto to collect the drugs. He was caught with a large consignment of Loud, a synthetic cannabis strain, worth 960 million naira.

NDLEA operatives at the Port Harcourt Ports Complex seized a container from India containing 1,750 cartons of codeine, weighing 26,250kg and valued at N1.225 billion. The container marked TEMU 6807401, was destined for Enugu and was discovered during a joint examination by NDLEA, Customs, and other security agencies.

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NDLEA operatives also arrested a 25-year-old woman, Blessing Thomas, in Abuja on May 31st, after finding 1kg of methamphetamine in her possession. She was travelling by bus from Lagos to Yola, Adamawa state, when she was caught along the Kwali-Gwagwalada expressway.

The statement added, “In the same vein, operatives in Nasarawa state on Wednesday 29th May nabbed a 70-year-old grandfather, Muhammadu Ibrahim, with 57.2kg cannabis in Lafia, the state capital.

READ ALSO: NDLEA Nabs Pregnant Woman, Widow Over N3.2m Counterfeit Cash, Other Substances

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“Two suspects: Suleiman Kazeem, 35, and Sunday Gbenga, 20, were arrested when NDLEA officers raided Ara forest, Ara-Ekiti in Ekiti state where they recovered 426 kilograms of cannabis sativa already processed and packed in big sacks, while they destroyed over 4,000kg of same substance on 1.66 hectares of farmland on Thursday 30th May.

“In Katsina state,76 blocks of cannabis weighing 42kg were seized from a Nigerien, Suleman Audu, 29, when he was arrested by NDLEA officers along Zaria – Malumfashi road on Wednesday 29th May.”

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Police Restores Peace After Bomb Explosion Rocks Imo Community

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The Imo State Police Command has restored peace and order in Obinwanne Community, Njaba LGA, after a bomb explosion rocked the area, killing the carrier and injuring two others.

A press statement issued by the Command’s spokesperson, DSP Henry Okoye, stated that the community was thrown into panic following the incident, but the swift intervention of police personnel restored normalcy.

He explained that operatives from the Njaba Divisional Headquarters received a distress call alerting them to the incident, which led to the immediate mobilisation of officers to the scene.

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It was confirmed that the blast was caused by an explosive device carried by one Mr Chinworeke Mmadu from Ebonyi State, which detonated prematurely, leading to fatal injuries that later claimed his life.

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According to the statement, two passers-by who sustained injuries were rushed to Santa Maria Hospital, where they remain in stable condition.

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“In furtherance of the response, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, DCP Hamzat A. Abdulkadir, visited the scene with operatives of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal, EOD, Unit. The area was carefully swept and has been declared safe for public use,” he added.

Okoye further disclosed that preliminary investigations revealed the deceased was carrying the explosive device, and inquiries are ongoing to determine his motive and possible affiliations.

READ ALSO:Woman Killed, Five Others Injured In Imo Market Explosion

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Commissioner of Police Aboki Danjuma, while responding to the development, wished the injured victims a speedy recovery and assured Imo residents of the Command’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property.

He also urged members of the public to remain calm, be security-conscious, and provide timely information to aid security efforts.

Danjuma further advised the public to report any suspicious item or object to the nearest police station or through the command’s emergency lines for prompt action.

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Deborah Okwori, Murdered Fashion Designer Buried Amid Tears

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Deborah Eneyi Ohekuru Okwori, professionally known as Deb’rah Porsche, has been laid to rest in her hometown of Ugaga Ohuhu Owo, Oju Local Government Area, Benue State.

DAILY POST reports that Deborah was allegedly murdered by her jilted lover, Lintex Ogale, in Lagos on September 3, 2025. Ogale reportedly stabbed her multiple times before fleeing.

She was rushed to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

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The suspect was later arrested and remanded at Kirikiri Correctional Centre pending further legal proceedings.

Recall that the moment the casket arrived in her hometown, Deborah’s mother moved mourners to tears with a poignant tribute: “Since you did not wait to dance at my burial, I’ll dance for you instead.”

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She was seen dancing around the casket, expressing her grief and love for her daughter in an emotional display.

Family, friends, and community members gathered to honor Deborah’s life.

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Police Ask Court To Issue Arrest Warrant Against Andy Uba Over Alleged N400m Job Scam

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The Inspector General of Police, IGP, Kayode Egbetokun has formally asked a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja to issue a bench warrant for the arrest of ex-senator Andy Uba over a N400 million job scam.

The police intend to arrest Uba and bring him to court for trial.

The IGP sought the arrest order on Wednesday following the persistent absence of Uba, who once represented Anambra South in the Senate, to appear in court for arraignment over the alleged appointment fraud.

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The trial judge, Justice Mohammed Umar had, in July, slated Wednesday for the arraignment of Uba and his co-defendant, Benjamin Etu.

When the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/538/2024 was called on Wednesday, counsel to the defendants, C.L Odiniru apologized for Uba’s absence and said the former senator is sick and receiving treatment in the United States.

READ ALSO:Court Remands Man Who Beat Wife In Viral Video

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Counsel to the prosecution (IGP), Aminu Abdullahi, however told the court that the defense counsel had, during previous proceedings in the matter, given sickness as reason for the absence of the first defendant without adducing any documentary evidence to show that he is actually sick and cannot face his trial.

Abdullahi prayed the court to issue a bench warrant for the arrest of the former senator.

Defense counsel, Odiniru, opposed the application for a bench warrant and following a directive of the court, said the defense has obtained documents showing that Uba is receiving treatment abroad.

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But responding, Abdullahi said granting the application for bench warrant will be in the best interest of justice.

Justice Umar who was apparently angry over the repeated absence of Andy Uba, said the court will do whatever it takes to ensure that he is present to face his trial if he failed to come to court on the next adjourned date.

READ ALSO:Abuja Court Jails Ex-legislative Aide For N120m Fraud

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I will give you another opportunity by giving you another date. This case must be heard this year. Even if it means issuing a bench warrant of arrest, the court will do that,” the judge said and adjourned the matter till October 28, 2025 for Uba and his co-defendant to take their plea.

It would be recalled that the prosecution had, on March 5, 2025, amended a two-count charge filed against Uba and his co-defendant, Benjamin Etu, before the former trial judge, Justice Inyang Ekwo.

The police had earlier named Uba and two others in the first charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/538/2024.

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The co-defendants, in the two-count charge filed on October 10, 2024 by Abdulrashid Sidi in the Legal/Prosecution Section at the Police Force Headquarters, Abuja, were Crystal Uba and Benjamin Etu as 2nd and 3rd defendants, respectively.

But in the amended charge filed March 4, 2025, by Sidi, Uba and Etu are listed as 1st and 2nd defendants, while Crystal Uba’s name was dropped.

READ ALSO:Kenya Court Seeks UK Citizen’s Arrest Over Mother’s Murder

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In count one, it was alleged that Uba, Etu and Hajiya Fatima, now at large, sometimes in 2022, conspired amongst themselves to commit the offence.

Uba and others were accused of obtaining by false pretence, by making a presentation to Mr George Uboh that they had perfected ways for giving appointment as Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, to any interested person who could afford N400 million.

A presentation which you know is not true and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 8 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related offences Act, 2006,” the charge stated.

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The offence, the prosecution said, is contrary to Section 1 (2) and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related offences Act, 2006.

Uboh, in a letter dated April 5, 2023, and addressed to the IGP, said the petition was based on documentary evidence and voice recording, adding that the evidence is overwhelming and irrefutable.

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No fewer than six witnesses had been listed to testify against the ex-lawmaker and Etu.

The case was re-assigned to Justice Umar, following the suspension of the former judge, Justice Inyang Ekwo, by the National Judicial Council, NJC.

 

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