Metro

NDLEA Intercepts Suspected Bandits, Seizes Heavy Weapons In Katsina, Benue

Published

4 years ago

August 13, 2021

Our Reporter

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, says it has arrested three armed bandits; Adamu Shehu, Tukur Mohammed and Ibrahim Suleiman while on an attack mission in Katsina State, with three AK 47 rifles among other dangerous items recovered them.

Femi Babafemi
Director, Media & Advocacy,
NDLEA, who made this known in a statement said the arrests and seizures were made at NDLEA checkpoints in the two states where narcotic officers stop and search vehicles for illicit drugs.

He added that heavy weapon manufacturer, Celestine Chidiebere Christian was also arrested with a high calibre G3 rifle along with seventy-eight (78) rounds of life ammunition (RLA) of 7.62mm calibre and five empty shells of same in Benue while trying to move the heavy weapon and ammunition to Jos, Plateau state.

Speaking when the Benue State command was handing over the high calibre G3 rifle and the suspect to the Agencys national headquarters in Abuja on Thursday 12th August, 2021, Chairman/Chief Executive, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) noted that the NDLEA will continue to support efforts by other security agencies especially the armed forces to restore law and order across the country.

“For us at NDLEA, we’ll continue to do our best with our highly dedicated officers and men to cut off accessibility to illicit drugs by criminal gangs by blocking the trafficking of these psychoactive and psychotropic substances. In doing this, we’ll not shy away from complementing the efforts of other security agencies especially our armed forces in our collective bid to restore security and maintain law and order in all parts of the country,” Gen. Marwa stated.

According to him, the three armed bandits were arrested by officers on patrol in Malumfashi LGA of Katsina on Thursday 5th August, on their way from Igabi LGA of Kaduna state to Kankara LGA in Katsina for another devilish mission.

He added that Toyota Corolla car with registration number Kaduna TRK 149 AE, three AK 47 rifles with magazines and ammunition, different types of charms, rings, cash and other items were recovered from them.

He disclosed that he had since directed the suspects be handed over to the Army Brigade in Katsina for further investigation.

Speaking on the transfer of the high calibre weapon manufacturer to the NDLEA headquarters in Abuja, Gen. Marwa said from the briefs given by the Benue State command, the suspect was arrested on Wednesday, 4th August 2021 at exactly 6:30am, in a bus belonging to CHI-Boy Transport Company, enroute Onitsha to Jos when the vehicle was flagged down at Aliade check-point for search.

He said in the process, an iron box completely welded end to end was found in the vehicle, and when the passengers were questioned to know the owner, the suspect, accepted ownership.

“When the steel box was taken to the State Command headquarters along with the suspect, an electric filing machine was used to cut it open a fabricated high calibre G3 rifle along with seventy-eight (78) rounds of life ammunition (RLA) of 7.62mm calibre and five empty shells of same were discovered inside. However, I asked that Celestine Chidiebere Christian be transferred to Abuja because of the calibre of weapon found with him, which he claims he manufactures.”

The NDLEA Chairman therefore commended the Katsina and Benue state commands for their vigilance and unrelenting commitment to the mandate given the agency by President Muhammadu Buhari to rid the country of illicit substances and ultimately secure the nation from the activities of criminal gangs.

Metro

Police Impound Vehicle With 387 Blocks Of Cannabis In Bauchi

Published

13 hours ago

October 10, 2025

Editor

The Bauchi state Police Command says it has impounded a vehicle with nothing less than 387 blocks of suspected cannabis sativa after involving in an auto crash in the state.

Sani Omolori-Aliyu, the Commissioner of Police in the state, disclosed this on Friday while handing over the exhibits to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Bauchi state Command.

According to him, the car and one other had a head-on collision in Wom village of Toro Local Government Area of the state on October 4, 2025 at about 11:30am.

“Initial reports from eyewitnesses and preliminary investigations indicate that the first vehicle, a white Toyota Corolla with registration number ABC-459LF, was operated by one Ali Muhammad, a 45-year-old resident of Nabardo Village.

“He was transporting the District Head of Nabardo, Suleiman Suleiman, aged 65, along with his family members as they travelled from Bauchi Metropolis to Nabardo Village.

“The second vehicle, another white Toyota Corolla with registration number GWA-155GW, was driven by an individual yet to be identified, who was travelling from Jos, Plateau State, towards Bauchi.

“It was reported that this driver attempted to overtake other vehicles without exercising adequate caution, resulting in a head-on collision with the first vehicle,” he said.

The Commissioner further explained that the occupants of both vehicles sustained varying degrees of injuries and were transported to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH) for medical care.

He said that the District Head suffered a fracture in his left leg and is currently receiving treatment with other victims while some have been discharged.

Omolori-Aliyu also revealed that in the aftermath of the incident, during the search at the scene, the detectives recovered several items in the damaged vehicle which included the 387 blocks of suspected cannabis.

The Commissioner, who explained that the command was in pursuit of the unidentified driver to ensure accountability and prompt legal action, encouraged anyone with information regarding the driver’s identity to come forward and assist in the investigation.

“The police are committed to diligently pursuing leads to identify the principal suspect.

“The Bauchi State Police Command is dedicated to maintaining peace and order in our community and urges the public to remain calm and cooperative throughout this process.

“We invite anyone with information that could aid in this investigation to contact us and we assure citizens that we are resolutely focused on ensuring justice is achieved,” he said.

While receiving the exhibits, Hussaini Umar, Deputy Commandant, NDLEA, appreciated the police for the cooperation and synergy and promised to work hand in hand to ensure that the driver and the owner were found.

Metro

Fake Revenue Agents Apprehended In Aba While Defrauding Residents

Published

18 hours ago

October 10, 2025

Editor

Abia State Harmonized Taskforce has apprehended four individuals impersonating as members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) for acts of extortion, intimidation, and illegal enforcement along the Port Harcourt Road axis of Aba and its environs.

They were nabbed on Thursday at Flyover junction around Ugwunagbo area through an operation authorized by the Aba Area Coordinator of ASHTF, Mr. Uche Wogu.

A statement issued by Miracle Chukwunenye, spokesperson of the Harmonized Task Force said that the agency received multiple complaints from market women, tricycle (Keke) operators, and traders about the unlawful activities of a group led by one Mr. Ahuama.

‎”Upon arrival, the Taskforce, in joint effort with the police, arrested Mr. Ahuama and three accomplices who were caught extorting money from unsuspecting traders and tricycle operators under the false pretense of being NURTW officials.

“Investigations revealed that the suspects had already impounded about twenty (20) tricycles earlier that morning and collected money from the owners before being intercepted,” Chukwunenye said.

‎He added that during the operation, the suspects resisted arrest and attacked Taskforce operatives and police officers, but they were eventually subdued and are now in custody.

Chukwunenye sensitized traders and transporters that Abia State operates a strict No-Cash-at-Hand revenue system, and as such, no government-authorized personnel is permitted to collect cash from citizens.