Metro

NDLEA Nabs Wanted Drug Kingpin With 11.6kg Cocaine, Meth After Seven Years

Published

3 hours ago

July 20, 2025

Editor

Operatives of a special operations unit of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a wanted 60-year-old drug kingpin, Okpara Paul Chigozie, ending seven years of evading the long arm of the law.

A statement by the spokesman of the NDLEA, Mr Femi Babafemi, on Sunday said the suspect was caught attempting to ship large quantities of cocaine and methamphetamine to the Southeast and other parts of the country.

Okpara, who has been on the wanted list of the NDLEA since 2019, was eventually arrested at his hideout at 72 Michael Ojo Street, Isheri in the Ojo area of Lagos State on 13th July 2025, following the interception of some of his consignments at 5:45 am that same day at Ilasamaja along the Apapa-Oshodi expressway in an early morning operation.

The statement said a team of NDLEA officers, acting on credible intelligence, arrested one of Okpara’s couriers, 51-year-old Achebe Kenneth Nnamdi, while heading to Onitsha, Anambra State in a white Toyota Sienna vehicle.

The agency’s sniffer dogs were subsequently brought in to search the vehicle, after which 7.6 kilograms of cocaine and 900 grams of methamphetamine were found hidden in body compartments of the space bus. A follow-up operation was promptly carried out at Okpara’s hideout in Isheri, where an additional 1.8kg of cocaine and 1.3kg of methamphetamine were recovered from his residence.

At the Lagos International Airport, Babafemi said operatives of the Agency, in a joint operation with Aviation Security personnel of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), on 16th July, recovered 7,790 pills of tramadol and rohypnol from the luggage of an Italy-bound passenger, Omoregie Nice Uyiosa. The suspect, who was travelling to Italy via Istanbul on a Turkish Airlines flight, claimed he purchased the drugs himself, hoping to sell them in Italy at higher prices.

In another arrest at the Lagos airport, NDLEA operatives at the export shed on Thursday intercepted 17 parcels of skunk, a strain of cannabis, weighing 1.70kg, concealed in packs of the popular cereal, Golden Morn, heading to Pakistan as part of a consolidated cargo. A suspect, Chioba Robert Uchenna, who presented the consignment for shipment, was arrested.

NDLEA operatives on Saturday 19th July raided Sarah Sam Hotels located at 115 Ogudu Road in Kosofe, Lagos State, where various party drugs were being distributed and sold. The raid followed credible intelligence and surveillance which confirmed a suspect, Obayemi Oyetade, as the arrowhead of the drug network.

At the time of the operation, 1.30kg of chocolate cannabis, 900 grams of gummies and 22.9 grams of skunk were recovered from Obayemi’s room in the hotel, which is a 20-room facility run as a family business, housing his mother and siblings. Other items recovered from the hotel include three vehicles.

Three suspects – Onyeka Madu, Monday Nwadishi and Emmanuel Madu – were arrested on Saturday during an intelligence-led raid at Narayi High Cost area of Chikun LGA, Kaduna State, where 742.866 kilograms of skunk and Colorado, a synthetic strain of cannabis, were seized.

The NDLEA statement also said one Lawan Rabiu was nabbed with 36,000 pills of tramadol along Danbatta-Kazaure Road on Wednesday in Kano.

While a total of 25,000 pills of tramadol and Exol-5 were recovered from a suspect, Aliyu Abubakar, at Gombe roundabout on Friday, the duo of Mohammed Adamu and Furaira Idris were arrested the same day with 49 blocks of compressed skunk that weighed 29kg at Kwadom, Yemaltu Deba LGA, Gombe State.

In Borno, NDLEA officers on patrol along Baga Road, Maiduguri, on Saturday intercepted 74,360 pills of opioids in a Mercedes Benz C180 car marked GUB 409 AA and arrested Audu Modu in connection with the seizure, while in Bayelsa State, a 63-year-old grandmother, Akuna Nelson, was on Thursday arrested at Osiri area of Yenagoa in connection with the seizure of 163 litres of skuchies.

Four suspects – Ikechukw Abugu, Sunday Ani, Chukwu Christian and Emmanuel Olisakwe – were on Thursday arrested by NDLEA operatives along Okene-Lokoja highway, Kogi State, in connection with the seizure of 2kg of methamphetamine recovered during a search of their vehicle coming from Onitsha, Anambra State, to Minna, Niger State.

In Abia State, NDLEA officers on 14th July raided the base of a notorious drug dealer, Nduka Obi, at 4 Niger Street, Ugwa Road, Aba, where various quantities of tramadol, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and a total of N736,000 in monetary exhibit were recovered from him.

While a total of 45,000 pills of tramadol were seized from a suspect, Chisom Okpalaeke, by NDLEA operatives on patrol along Onitsha – Enugu expressway, Enugu State, on 16th July, officers of the Taraba State Command of the agency the same day apprehended the duo of Ngwokwoka Thomas and Mohammed Audu with 10,000 caps of tramadol and a gram of cannabis at Dan Anacha, Gassol LGA.

While commending the officers and men of the various Commands of the Agency for the arrests and seizures of the past week, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig-Gen. Mohamed Marwa (Rtd), also praised their counterparts in all the commands across the country for maintaining a fair balance between their drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts.

Metro

Anambra Governorship Candidate Shot

Published

57 minutes ago

July 20, 2025

Editor

The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the upcoming Anambra state election, Chief Jude Ezenwafor, early on Saturday morning escaped an assassination attempt in Abuja.

He told journalists that the near-death situation took place around Wuse 2 on Friday night, on his way home after an appointment when the incident happened.

Chief Ezenwafor, who is currently in a private hospital in Abuja where he is due for a surgery session, is nursing injuries amidst excruciating pains.

“I’m currently in the hospital. The doctors are making efforts to operate on me so that they can pull out bullets from my body,” he faintly said.

The governorship hopeful was shot alongside two persons who were with him.

Metro

Saudi Arabia’s ‘Sleeping Prince’ Dies After 20 Years In Coma

Published

3 hours ago

July 20, 2025

Editor

Prince Al-Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal Al Saud, popularly known as Saudi Arabia’s “Sleeping Prince,” has died at the age of 36, two decades after he fell into a coma following a car accident in London.

According to TheSunUK, the royal, who suffered a brain haemorrhage in 2005 while studying at a military college in the UK, passed away on Saturday, according to an announcement by his father, Prince Khaled bin Talal bin Abdulaziz.

“With hearts believing in Allah’s will and decree, and with deep sorrow and sadness, we mourn our beloved son: Prince Al-Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, may Allah have mercy on him, who passed away today,” the grieving father wrote on X.

Following the accident two decades ago, Prince Al-Waleed was transferred to King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh, where he remained in a coma for 20 years under continuous medical supervision and ventilator support.

Despite consultations with several specialists from around the world and moments of minor physical response that offered hope, he never regained consciousness.

Throughout the two decades, Prince Khaled remained devoted to his son’s care and consistently resisted calls to withdraw life support.

The Prince’s prolonged condition had drawn public attention in the kingdom and beyond, with many Saudis following his rare movements and responses with hope.

Metro

Customs Intercepts N1.7bn Falsely Declared Goods Across South-West Zone

Published

3 hours ago

July 20, 2025

Editor

The Federal Operations Unit, Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has revealed that it intercepted six trailer loads of 50kg rice, 304kg of Cannabis Sativa (Indian Hemp), 7,900 litres of Premium Motor Spirit, one 40ft container load of used tyres, and other contraband goods worth ₦1.7 billion across the South-West region of the country between 3rd June and 18th July 2025.

Addressing newsmen at the weekend in Lagos, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, explained that a total of nine suspects were arrested in connection with these seizures.

The Customs CG, who was represented by the Assistant Comptroller General of Customs and Coordinator for Operations Whirlwind, Hussein Ejibunu, also added that the Unit recovered a total of ₦95,587,231.47 in underpaid duties within the period under review.

According to the Customs CG, “Distinguished members of the press, esteemed officers and men of the service, it is my pleasure to welcome you to the Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A, Ikeja–Lagos.

“We are gathered here today to provide an update on the Unit’s activities and achievements over the past few weeks, particularly our relentless efforts to dismantle smuggling syndicates, curb illicit trade, and disrupt criminal networks operating within our area of responsibility.

“In the past four weeks, from 3rd June to 18th July 2025, the Unit has sustained a high operational tempo across the South-Western states. Our intelligence-led operations have enabled us to proactively intercept smuggled goods, disrupt illicit supply chains, and strengthen border enforcement.

“During this period, a total of 102 enforcement interventions were recorded, leading to the interception of a wide range of prohibited and smuggled goods. Breakdown of major seizures during this period includes: 3,500 bags of foreign parboiled rice (50kg each) – equivalent to six trailer loads; 304kg of Cannabis Sativa (Indian Hemp); 7,900 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) – in 316 jerry cans of 25 litres each; 54 bags and 20 bales of used clothing; 41 sacks and bags of used footwear; 14 units of used (“Tokunbo”) vehicles; 148 pieces of used tyres; 42 used gas cylinders; 31 units of air conditioning systems; and 95 cartons of frozen poultry products.

“Other notable seizures include one 40ft container with container number TRHU 83907321 fully loaded with used tyres; one 20ft container with number ONEU241369 containing medicaments; two 40ft containers with numbers MSKU 4796036 and MAEU 9205708; and one truck with container body conveying used fridges, foreign supermarket items, and used clothes. All the containers were wrongly declared to evade duties.”

On arrests and prosecution, the Customs CG stated that, “A total of nine suspects were arrested in connection with these seizures. While some were granted administrative bail, others have been, or will be, handed over to relevant security agencies for further investigation and possible prosecution.”

On the value of the seizures, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi explained that, “The Duty Paid Value (DPV) of all intercepted items stands at an impressive ₦1,784,432,000.

“The Unit also ensures compliance with import and export regulations. We have continued to scrutinise questionable declarations, correct under-valuations, and issue Demand Notices (DNs) where appropriate.

“Between 3rd June and 18th July 2025, the Unit recovered a total of ₦95,587,231.47 in underpaid duties.

“While we maintain vigilance against smuggling and fraud, the FOU remains a strong partner in trade facilitation. We continue to support legitimate trade through intelligence-driven operations that strike a balance between security enforcement and economic growth, ensuring that lawful traders are not unduly hindered in the process.”

On its commitment to professionalism and collaboration, the Customs Boss stated that the Federal Operations Unit remains deeply committed to executing its mandate with the utmost professionalism and in strict adherence to extant regulations.

“Our operations are conducted with restraint, respect for human rights, and a commitment to peaceful enforcement.

“To enhance synergy and support for our activities, I have embarked on familiarisation visits to traditional institutions and sister security agencies across the zone. These visits aim to deepen collaboration in our collective effort to combat trans-border crimes and enhance national security.

“The milestones we’ve recorded are a testament to the Nigeria Customs Service’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding the nation’s economy and ensuring national security.”
(TRIBUNE)