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NDLEA Destroys Largest Drugs Seizure, Warns Barons

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has destroyed 1.6 million kilograms of assorted illicit drugs.

This, the agency said, was the largest single volume of narcotics ever destroyed at once in the agency’s history.

The illicit substances destroyed included 123kg of cocaine, 46.8kg of heroin, 1.4 million kilograms of cannabis, 148,000kg of codeine syrup, 3,244.26kg of tramadol, 1,544kg of skuchies, and 111kg of methamphetamine, among others.

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The destroyed drugs were from NDLEA Zone 9 and Zone 11—which include Lagos Strategic Command, Ogun State Command, Oyo State Command, MMIA Strategic Command, and various border commands.

According to a statement on Saturday by its spokesman, Femi Babafemi, the agency said the exercise was conducted at a remote location in Ipara, along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Ogun State.

READ ALSO: NDLEA Arrests Wanted Auto spare Parts Dealer Over 77.5kg Angola Cocaine Deal

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Speaking at the event, the Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd), said the exercise underscores the Agency’s unwavering commitment to ending drug trafficking in Nigeria.

Represented by Director of Assets and Financial Investigation, Dr. Ibrahim Abdul, Marwa described the destruction as both symbolic and scientific, carried out after thorough forensic verification and with full court approval.

“This massive volume of seizures serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by illicit drugs to public health and national security.

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“We are sending a clear message—there is no room for drug traffickers in Nigeria. The Tinubu administration remains firm in its resolve to eradicate this menace, and the NDLEA will not relent in bringing offenders to justice.”

READ ALSO: PICTORIAL: NDLEA Busts Trans-border Drug Syndicate, Seizes Tramadol, Meth Hidden In Vehicles

He disclosed that over the past four years, the agency has secured 10,572 convictions related to drug trafficking offenses, thanks to its revitalized operational strategies and the backing of the Nigerian judiciary.

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The NDLEA boss also extended appreciation to the governors of Lagos, Ogun, and Oyo states—Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Dapo Abiodun, and Seyi Makinde, respectively—for their continuous support of NDLEA operations in their respective domains.

He further acknowledged the contributions of international collaborators such as the US Drug Enforcement Administration, the UK’s National Crime Agency and Border Force, the French and German police, and financial institutions like First Bank, Fidelity Bank, and Sterling Bank.

He also thanked Nigeria’s military and paramilitary forces for their roles in supporting drug control efforts.

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Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, represented by his Special Adviser on Security, AIG Olusola Subair (retd), commended the NDLEA for its professionalism and determination.

He emphasised the importance of prevention, calling for greater investment in education, rehabilitation, and youth empowerment.

“The NDLEA’s courage and consistency in intercepting dangerous substances before they reach our communities is saving lives. The Ogun State Government is proud to stand with the Agency in this vital battle,” he said.

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

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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.

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

READ ALSO:Deputy Gov Pledges Support For Edo Queens

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.

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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.

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EFCC Arraigns Three Over 25m Petroleum Theft In Lagos

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, arraigned a vessel, MT Ostria, and three individuals before Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos, over alleged petroleum theft involving over 25 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit belonging to NNPC Retail Limited.

In a statement posted by EFCC on Wednesday on X, the defendants — Captain Raymundo A. Panaligam, Chief Officer Roneno Villarin, and Mr. Vincent Wayas — were charged alongside the vessel on a four-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.

The charges state that the defendants conspired to steal 25,354,000 litres of PMS, an offence contrary to Sections 411 and 280 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015, and punishable under Section 287 of the same law.

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READ ALSO:Court Admits More Evidence In EFCC’s $4.5bn Case Against Emefiele

One of the counts reads: “MT Ostria, Captain Raymundo A. Panaligam, Chief Officer Roneno Villarin and Mr. Vincent Wayas sometime in January 2024 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, conspired amongst yourselves to commit felony, to wit: stealing of Thirteen Million, Five Hundred and Fifty Four Thousand (13,354,000) litres of Premium Motor Spirit, property of NNPC Retail Limited.”

Other counts outline alleged thefts of 9 million litres and 3 million litres of PMS on or about January 17, 2024.

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All defendants pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to them.

READ ALSO:EFCC Grills Ex-NNPCL Boss, Mele Kyari

Following their plea, EFCC prosecuting counsel, Bilikisu Buhari, prayed the court “to set a trial date and remand the defendants in a correctional facility. She prayed the court not to grant them bail, that the applicant was a flight risk, that they had nothing to lose if they jump bail or abscond from trial.”

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The statement stated that: “However, the defence team informed the court that bail applications had already been filed and urged that the defendants be allowed to continue under the bail conditions earlier granted by the EFCC.”

Justice Dada subsequently ruled, “That the defendants should continue on the existing EFCC bail conditions and subsequently adjourned the case to November 17 and 27, 2025, for the commencement of trial.”

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NSCDC Arrests Five Fake Security Operatives In Anambra

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The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Anambra State Command, has arrested five suspected illegal private security operatives and recovered a pump-action rifle during a series of coordinated raids in Awka.

The State Commandant, Maku Olatunde, disclosed this on Wednesday while parading the suspects at the command headquarters in Awka.

Olatunde said the operation, conducted across several hotels and grocery stores in Awka on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, around 11 am, followed credible intelligence reports.

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He explained that the intelligence indicated the presence of individuals wearing uniforms resembling those of legitimate security outfits, allegedly hired by political actors to cause unrest ahead of the November 8 governorship election.

READ ALSO:UK High Commissioner Concludes Anambra Visit, Urges Transparent Election

He said, “In a bid to rid Anambra State of individuals masquerading as private security operatives, the NSCDC, Anambra State Command, has apprehended five suspected illegal private security operatives and recovered a pump action rifle during a series of raids conducted in Awka.

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“The raids conducted across various hotels and grocery stores in Awka on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at about 11:00hrs, were based on credible intelligence indicating the presence of individuals dressed in attire resembling that of a security outfit, who may have been hired by political actors with the intention of utilising them to cause chaos during the election.”

He listed the suspects as Mmeka Ekene (43), Peter Detuchi Kelvin (28), Sunday Akpan Idiong (45), Enemuo Ifeanyichukwu (26), and Francis Ugochukwu Nwosu (28).

Olatunde explained that the operation, which was carried out by the Private Guard Companies Department, was aimed at flushing out undesirable elements, criminal gangs, and irredentists, as well as preventing emerging security threats, illegal possession of firearms, and any form of violence or intimidation that could undermine the peaceful conduct of the election.

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READ ALSO:Anambra, Lagos, Others Top 2025 Fiscal Performance Rankings, As C’Rivers Dropped from 5th to 30th

He continued, “We are resolute in our commitment to providing a secure environment for the conduct of the forthcoming governorship election, slated for November 8, 2025. We will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that Anambra State remains peaceful and secure.”

The Commandant further stressed that the NSCDC would not be swayed by the antics of individuals pretending to be private security operatives in a bid to disrupt the electoral process.

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The Command, in collaboration with other security agencies, will take all necessary measures within its operational guidelines to counter and suppress any act that could potentially destabilise the peace enjoyed in the state,” he said.

Olatunde also revealed that the Command had strengthened surveillance and enhanced intelligence gathering to thwart any attempts by “disruptive elements or desperate politicians” to compromise the electoral process.

He stated, “The arrested suspects are currently being interrogated and will be charged in court upon conclusion of the investigation,” The PUNCH quoted him.

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