Metro

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

Published

1 year ago

July 9, 2024

Editor

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.

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.

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.

“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

16-year-old Killed As NDLEA Operatives, Drug Barons Clash In Edo

Published

2 hours ago

October 30, 2025

Editor

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Edo State Command, and drug barons reportedly clashed at Okpuje, Uzeba community in Owan West Local Government Area, leading to the death of a 16 -years -old boy, identified as Emmanuel Monday George.

Two others identified as God’spower Omage (20 years) and Ajayi Irobia (54 years), were said to have sustained serious injuries during the gun duel which reportedly happened on Monday.

Mitchell Ofoyeju, state commander of the NDLEA disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Benin on Thursday.

Ofoyeju said that one of its officers sustained an injury after being struck on the hand with a sharp object.

Recall that Army and NDLEA officers were recently attacked by drug barons in the agrarian community, notable for cannabis cultivation.

Metro

JUST IN: Fire Guts Store At Abuja Mall

Published

5 hours ago

October 30, 2025

Editor

A fire incident occurred at the Jabi Lake Mall, Abuja in the early hours of Thursday.

The cause of the fire, which started around 3am, could not be ascertained as of the time of filing this report.

It was gathered that only the Adidas Sports shop was affected.

It was further gathered that firefighters from the Federal Fire Service, the Berger Fire Department, and the FCT Fire Service, as well as police officers, were deployed to the scene.

A resident of Jabi, Saliu, who informed our correspondent of the incident, said the fire had been contained.

He said, “Around 3am., this morning, there was a fire incident at the Jabi Lake Mall in Abuja. No loss of life or injury was recorded. Only the Adidas Sports shop was affected by the fire.”

The FCT police spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, confirmed the incident to The PUNCH.

Adeh said police officers were deployed to the location to secure the area and prevent looting.

“We received a distress call at about 3:40 a.m. We immediately deployed our men there to secure the place and prevent any breach of public order,” she said.

Metro

JUST IN: Hausa, Benin Youths Clash Over Killing Of Suspected Yahoo Boy

Published

18 hours ago

October 29, 2025

Editor

Photo: file copy

Several persons were on Wednesday night injured in a clash between Hausa and Benin youths, in Ogheghe community, Egor Local Government Area of Edo State, over the killing of a suspected yahoo boy identified as Chizi Benz.

According to sources, Chizi Benz was said to have been stabbed to death by a Hausa youth over a sour deal.

Though details of the deal were not available as at press time, the killing of Chidi Benz sparked outrage as youths stormed the streets with dangerous weapons in a revenge mission.

According to sources, many ‘Abokis’ were injured in a reprisal attack while others fled for safety.

News of the killing was to have spread to nearby communities of Uwelu along the Siluko Axis, forcing Hausa youths who do petty trading and rides okada closed their businesses and fled for safety.

According to sources, policemen who were deployed to the area fired tear gas to disperse the angry youths.

Edo Police Spokesman, Moses Yamu, who confirmed the incident, promised to send a detailed statement.

He was yet to do so as at press time.