Metro
NDLEA Arrests Wanted Drug Baron, Recovers Meth, Precursors, Guns In Imo

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a major drug cartel behind the production and distribution of deadly psychoactive substance, methamphetamine, popularly called ‘mkpuru mmiri’.
This is contained in a statement by the Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, Mr Femi Babafemi, on Tuesday in Abuja.
Babafemi said that the NDLEA operatives also arrested the leader of the syndicate, 42-year-old Joachin Mbonu and his associate in his mansion tucked in Umuomi village, Uzogba-Ezenomi autonomous community, Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo.
He said that the cartel, with operational bases in Imo and Rivers, became a target of the agency following intelligence indicating it was responsible for the distribution of a substantial quantity of methamphetamine.
This, he said, was especially in the South-East, South-South and other parts of the country.
READ ALSO: NDLEA Arrests Port Terminal Operator, Dock Worker Over 1,044.29kg Cocaine, Colos
According to him, after weeks of surveillance, officers of a special operations unit of the agency on Friday, tracked and traced the drug lord to his village mansion in Imo state.
“The suspect was caught with a member of his cartel, Chibuike Ofoegbu, 34, with different quantities of methamphetamine, its precursor chemicals, a pump action gun and cartridges recovered.
“Exhibits recovered from the house include: 419.99 grams of methamphetamine; 750 grams of iodine, a precursor chemical for meth; and 500 grams of sodium bicarbonate.
“Others are a precursor chemical for meth; two electronic weighing scales and a pump action gun with four cartridges,” he said.
READ ALSO: Over 2 Million People In South-South Use Psychoactive Substances – NDLEA
Babafemi said that the operatives moved swiftly to another of Mbonu’s hideout located at 11 Redemption Avenue, Port Harcourt, Rivers.
He said that additional exhibits: 750 grams of processed sodium bicarbonate; 170 grams of plain sodium bicarbonate and 75 grams of meth were recovered.
“Another raid in the home of one of Mbonu’s associates, Odoemenam Chinedu, currently at large, at Njaba LGA, Imo , led to the recovery of another pump action gun with 25 cartridges, among other items.
“While the kingpin cools his heels in custody, two of his mansions in Imo state have been marked for possible forfeiture to the Federal Government.
READ ALSO: NDLEA Bursts Snake-guarded Shrine Used To Store Illicit Drugs, Arrests 2 In Edo[VIDEO]
“Mbonu had escaped from South Africa where he lived for years and mastered the art of cooking methamphetamine after he came under investigation for drug dealings.
“Upon his return to Nigeria, he continued the criminal trade by setting up clandestine laboratories in remote villages to shield his nefarious activities,” he said.
Reacting to the successful taking down of the meth syndicate, the NDLEA Chairman, retired, Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, commended the officers and men involved in the multi-pronged operations.
Marwa stated that the manner the interdiction was carried out should send a strong signal to other cartels that there was no hiding place for them in any part of the country.
Metro
Reason Benin Oba Market Was Gutted By Fire Revealed

Barely six years fire gutted Oba Market in Benin, another fire engulfed the popular market late Wednesday night.
The market, which is being reconstructed after abandonment since the June 2020 fire incident, was reportedly set ablaze by a solar panel.
Inspecting the market on Thursday, the Chairman of Oredo Local Government Council, Engr. Gabriel Iduseri, said only one shop was affected by the fire incident.
He said firefighters and security agencies promptly responded to ensure the fire did not spread to other parts of the market.
Iduseri said traders would be stopped from installing solar panels inside the market to prevent future fire outbreaks.
READ ALSO:Traders Protest, Seek Oba’s Intervention As Edo Govt Plans Demolition Of Markets
He said, “We learnt solar panel caused the fire. We are going to stop installation of solar panels and check all the electrical wiring in the market.
“I want to assure that we will support the affected trader to get back to business. There is no much damage. No life was lost. Oredo local government was here and we put measures in place to prevent thieves.”
The affected trader was said to have collapsed last night.
Metro
7 African Countries That Experience Snow

When people talk about Africa, snow is rarely part of the conversation. The continent is better known for its warm weather, deserts, and beaches than blizzards or ski slopes. Yet scattered across its vast landscapes are places where temperatures drop low enough for snow to fall and sometimes stick.
1. South Africa
Snow isn’t unusual in South Africa, especially in the Drakensberg Mountains and areas around Ceres and Sutherland.
The country even boasts a ski resort, Tiffindell, where visitors can enjoy skiing and snowboarding between June and August.
2. Lesotho
Lesotho, known as the “Kingdom in the Sky”, sits entirely above 1,000 metres in elevation. That high altitude makes it one of the snowiest countries in Southern Africa. The Afriski Mountain Resort becomes a popular destination during the winter months, offering a genuine alpine experience.
READ ALSO:Full List: Countries Most And Least Likely To Get US Visa For 2026 World Cup
3. Morocco
In Morocco, the Atlas Mountains receive regular snowfall between December and March. The Oukaïmeden Ski Resort, located just outside Marrakech, attracts locals and tourists eager to ski or simply enjoy a mountain escape, all within view of the desert.
4. Algeria
The Tell Atlas and Aurès Mountains in Algeria get dusted with snow each winter. Towns such as Setif and Batna often experience several snowy days, creating a rare but beautiful contrast between the icy peaks and the nearby Sahara sands.
5. Tunisia
In Tunisia’s Kroumirie Mountains, particularly around Aïn Draham, snow is a familiar winter visitor. The region’s pine forests and rolling hills transform into a quiet, white landscape that feels far removed from the country’s sunny Mediterranean coast.
READ ALSO:UK Police Recover Body Of 16-year-old Nigerian Who Drowned In Colwick Country Park
6. Kenya
Snow in Kenya may sound impossible, but the peaks of Mount Kenya are permanently capped with ice. Although the glaciers are shrinking, climbers still trek to the summit to witness the rare sight of snow just a few degrees south of the equator.
7. Tanzania
Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro remains Africa’s most famous snowy landmark.
Its white summit rises above the plains, a stunning reminder of the continent’s diverse climates and a view that has inspired countless travellers and photographers.
Snow might not be the first thing that comes to mind when people think of Africa, but it’s part of the story too. In these high-altitude regions, winter shows up quietly.
Metro
NDLEA Arrests 54 Suspected Traffickers, Seizes 1,506.57kg of Drugs In Edo

Operatives of the Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have arrested 54 suspected drug traffickers with 1,506.57kg of various narcotic drugs.
The state commander of the agency, Mitchell Ofoyeju disclosed this on Tuesday while presenting the operational scorecard of the command in Benin City.
Ofoyeju said the seizure of the drugs and arrest of the suspects took place in the month of September.
He added that a total of 66,078,57kg of skunk cannabis were destroyed by the Command in the period under review.
READ ALSO:NDLEA Arrests Lady Smuggling Drugs Inside Butt Pads, Phone Chargers
The Commander, who said that the command recorded significant successes in its operations within the month, added that it was part of its concerted effort to combat drug trafficking and abuse in the state.
He gave the breakdown of the arrested suspects to include 43 males and 11 females.
He also added that during the operation six illicit plantations spanning over 26.43 hectares were destroyed.
Ofoyeju explained that the destroyed plantations were located at Ugbogui Forest, Ovia South West, Ataroro Forest, Owan West, Urohi Forest, Esan West, and Ogu Forest, Igueben Local Government Areas of the State with an estimated yield of 66,078.5715 kg of skunk cannabis.
READ ALSO:NDLEA Busts Cartel, Recovers ₦6.4bn Drugs From Kingpins
“The command also intercepted 1,506.57kg of illicit drugs,” Mitchell stated while emphasising the command’s commitment to dismantling drug trafficking networks operating within the state.
“The breakdown of the seized drugs is as follows: Cannabis Sativa 1,502. 26 Kg, psychotropic substances 4.27kg including tramadol 3.964kg, nitrazepam 0.087kg, Swinol 0.0445kg, Danabol (Molly) 0.1163kg, methamphetamine 0.0184 Kg, cocaine 0.028 Kg and heroin 0.014kg”, he said.
The NDLEA Commander in the state while expressing determination in the command’s campaign against drug trafficking, reiterated the importance of strategic operations in safeguarding communities and reducing drug demand.
He posited that the successs signified a critical step toward reclaiming the safety and health of citizens, as Edo State continues to grapple with the pressing issues of drug trafficking and abuse.
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