Metro

NDLEA Intercepts N6.5bn Worth Of Opioids At Lagos, Rivers Ports

Published

1 year ago

May 25, 2025

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted six million pills of opioids — including tamol 225mg, tapentadol 225mg, and carisoprodol 225mg — along with 332,000 bottles of codeine-based cough syrup, with a total street value of ₦6.52 billion at the Port Harcourt Ports Complex, Onne, Rivers State, and Apapa Seaport, Lagos.

NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi disclosed that the seizures followed intelligence reports and the tracking of new trafficking routes by drug cartels, prompting the agency to place certain containers under 100% examination.

“The consignments at the Port Harcourt ports — six million pills of opioids and 162,000 bottles of codeine syrup — were uncovered in two containers on May 19 and 20 during a joint examination by NDLEA, Nigeria Customs, and other security agencies,” Babafemi stated.

At the Apapa Port, an additional 170,000 bottles of codeine syrup were discovered in a watch-listed container during a joint examination on May 22.

Arrest of Two British Nationals and Nigerian Accomplices

At the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, NDLEA operatives arrested two British nationals — Mhizha Jordan Alexander Tatendra and Ayedipe Andrew Adejuwon — along with two Nigerians, Shonowo Oluwaseun Imole and Ofuoma Omokaro Ayobami, for attempting to smuggle 92 bags of Loud (a strong cannabis strain) weighing 51.10kg into Nigeria.

Tatendra, who flew in on a Qatar Airways flight from Doha on May 15, was allowed to pass security and was tracked to the car park where he was met by Adejuwon and the others in an SUV. NDLEA operatives swooped in as they attempted to exit, recovering the drug consignment from the vehicle.

Tatendra confessed to being promised £1,300 for delivering the drugs. Adejuwon, described as the syndicate leader, had flown into Nigeria from South Africa via Ghana the previous day. A follow-up search at their Lekki residence uncovered:

₦3,810,500 cash

An Apple laptop, iPhone 14 Pro Max, and four nitrous oxide canisters

Massive Skunk Destruction and Seizures Nationwide

In Cross River State, NDLEA destroyed 75,000kg of skunk on 30 hectares of cannabis farms in Esuk-Odot, Odukpani LGA, and recovered an additional 200kg on May 22.

In Edo State, 1,957.5kg of skunk were destroyed in Ovia South West and Owan West LGAs on May 23 and 24.

In Nasarawa State, NDLEA arrested two suspects — Sunday Daniel (51) and Abu Peter (30) — after intercepting 4,000kg of skunk concealed under unprocessed wood in a truck at Keffi on May 24. Another suspect, Godwin Obi (39), was nabbed with 154.5kg in Karu on May 21.

Other Arrests and Seizures

Kaduna: 22-year-old Muhammad Hamza caught with 57,750 pills of tramadol and diazepam on Kaduna–Zaria highway, May 21

Bauchi: Usman Muhammad (45) arrested with 80 blocks of skunk (45kg) on Bauchi–Misau road

Yobe: Adum Muhammed (29) intercepted with 55 parcels of Colorado (2kg) en route to Chad through Ngamboru Ngala border

Niger: Adams Ayibakro arrested with 235 blocks of compressed cannabis (97kg) on Mokwa–Jebba road

Lagos: Raids in Osapa London, Lekki led to the arrest of Jonathan Isa with multiple drugs including cocaine, meth, molly, and codeine. Another raid in Idasun, Ibeju-Lekki netted Olamilekan Idowu with 48kg of skunk

WADA Advocacy Continues Nationwide

As part of its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign, NDLEA conducted sensitization programs in:

Adamu Babbale Government Secondary School, Katsina

Mary Hanney Secondary School, Oron, Akwa Ibom

Nnodo Secondary School, Abakaliki, Ebonyi

Government Secondary School, Guyuk, Adamawa

Government Girls Islamic Secondary School, Gwagwarwa, Kano

In Lagos, NDLEA paid an advocacy visit to Sarkin Fulani of Lagos, Alhaji Muhammadu Bambado.

NDLEA Boss Commends Officers

Chairman/CEO Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd.) commended the officers and men of the NDLEA Commands in Port Harcourt, Lagos, MMIA, Nasarawa, Cross River, Edo, Niger, Kaduna, Yobe, and Bauchi for their impressive performance. He also praised efforts in both drug supply reduction and demand reduction across the country.

Metro

Edo Police Arrest Two Suspected Cultists

Published

14 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

The Edo State Police Command on Wednesday said two suspected cultists were arrested in Ohonre community, off Adolor College Road, Benin.

This was disclosed in a statement by the command Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, and made available to newsmen electrically.

Ikoedem said the arrest was possible due to operatives response to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

The statement reads: “The Edo State Police Command has recorded another operational breakthrough following the swift disruption of a suspected cultists’ gathering in Ohonre Community, off Adolor College Road, Benin City.

“On 21st May, 2026, at about 19:00hrs, operatives attached to Ugbowo Division who were on surveillance patrol responded to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

“Acting promptly on the information, the police team mobilized to the location. On sighting the operatives, the suspects fled in an attempt to evade arrest. The operatives immediately gave them a hot chase, leading to the arrest of two suspects identified as Victor Peter ‘M’, 21 years and Iyemoma Ogbewe ‘M’, 35 years.

“A search conducted on the suspects led to the recovery of one cut-to-size gun believed to have been in their possession for unlawful purposes.

“Upon investigation, the suspects confessed to being members of the notorious Maphite cult group. Efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend other fleeing gang members.”

She said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, commended the swift response of the operatives and reiterated the Command’s resolve to deny criminal elements any opportunity within Edo State.

He further urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to the Police, assuring that all reports would receive prompt attention.

Metro

Troops Eliminate Two Terrorists, Foil Pipeline Attack

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

The Nigerian Army says troops have, in the last 24 hours, eliminated two terrorists, rescued four kidnapped victims and foiled pipeline attacks in a series of coordinated military operations across Taraba, Kogi and Rivers.

This is contained in operational updates issued to reporters on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to the reports, troops of 93 Battalion deployed at Akate in the Donga Local Government Area of Taraba engaged suspected terrorists in a forested area, killing two of them.

According to the report, items recovered from the scene include an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, magazines, mobile phones and other personal effects.

In Kogi, it said the troops of 21 Battalion, in collaboration with vigilantes, rescued four kidnapped passengers along the Anyigba–Itobe road in Ofu Local Government Area.

It added that the victims were reportedly abandoned by their captors while attempting to cross a seasonal stream due to sustained pressure from advancing troops.

According to the military, efforts are ongoing to rescue other victims still in captivity.

The report said that troops of 12 Brigade successfully repelled an ambush along Kabba–Okene road while withdrawing from an earlier operation, forcing the assailants to flee with gunshot wounds.

“Meanwhile, in Rivers, troops of 5 Battalion acting on credible intelligence, foiled an attempt by suspected vandals to detonate a crude oil pipeline in Ahoada West Local Government Area.

“The swift response of the troops disrupted the operation before it could be executed, with the suspects fleeing the scene,” it said.

Metro

Police Arrest Private Chef Over Alleged N150m Theft, Drugging Of Employer, Burglary

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

The Nigeria Police Force has arrested a chef, John Cosmos Govi, over his alleged involvement in a burglary operation at a residence in Abuja, where luxury items and valuables worth about N150 million were reportedly stolen.

The arrest was announced on Monday, May 25, 2026, by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Placid, who said the suspect was apprehended by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) after investigations into allegations of criminal conspiracy, housebreaking, theft, malicious damage and administering harmful substances.

According to police findings, Govi, who allegedly gained employment as a chef at the residence, was said to have studied the movement of occupants, internal routine and security setup before allegedly carrying out the operation on April 23, 2026.

Investigators said he reportedly worked with two accomplices identified as Peter and Moses, who are currently on the run.

Police alleged that food prepared in the house was laced with a suspected sedative substance to weaken the occupants and security personnel.

After they reportedly became unconscious, the suspects allegedly broke into the property, damaged CCTV installations and stole 20 luxury wristwatches valued at about N150 million, alongside other valuables.

Speaking on the development, DCP Anthony Placid said the suspect was intercepted around the Gwagwalada axis of the Federal Capital Territory while attempting to flee to Lagos. He added that an iPhone 17 Pro Max, believed to belong to the victim, and a suspected chemical substance were recovered.

“We remain committed to dismantling organised criminal networks and ensuring that all fleeing accomplices are brought to justice,” Placid said.

Police said efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects and conclude investigations into the case.