Metro

PHOTOS: NDLEA Intercepts Drug-laden Trucks Worth N724m, Arrests Suspects In Edo

Published

1 month ago

April 13, 2026

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Edo State Command, has intercepted two articulated trucks laden with 7,245 kilograms of skunk cannabis and arrested five suspects.

The State Commander of the NDLEA, Dr Mitchell Ofoyeju, disclosed this while taking journalists on a tour of the seized trucks.

He said the confiscated drugs are valued at seven hundred and twenty-four million, five hundred thousand naira (N724,500,000).

Ofoyeju stated that the operation, carried out on Saturday, April 11, 2026, was the result of 72 hours of intelligence gathering and surveillance by officers of the command.

According to him, this is the first time in the history of the command that two trucks laden with illicit drugs have been intercepted simultaneously, thereby disrupting an inter-state drug trafficking network.

“This successful interception is a clear message to drug barons and traffickers that Edo State is not a safe haven for criminal activities. The large volume of this seizure, which is over seven metric tonnes of cannabis, highlights the scale of the threat we are combating. It also underscores the effectiveness of our intelligence-driven operations and the dedication of our officers,” he said.

Ofoyeju reiterated that the operation aligns with the strategic mandate and zero-tolerance directive set forth by the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd).

“Under the resolute leadership of the Chairman, our mandate is clear and unequivocal. We are to dismantle drug trafficking networks, apprehend traffickers, seize illicit drugs, and trace assets acquired through illegal means.

This seizure has prevented these drugs from reaching our streets and destroying countless lives, particularly among our youth,” he added.

He explained that, acting on actionable intelligence, a crack team of NDLEA officers intercepted the two articulated trucks along the Auchi–Abuja Road axis.

“Upon search, the trucks, which were ostensibly carrying cartons of beer, were found to be concealing hundreds of bags of processed cannabis. A field test confirmed the substance to be skunk, a highly potent and dangerous variant of cannabis.

“A detailed breakdown shows that the first truck, with registration number OYO LUY 172 XC, contained 260 bags weighing 3,900 kilograms. The second truck, OYO LUY 281 XC, carried 223 bags weighing 3,345 kilograms. The combined haul amounted to 483 bags with a total weight of 7,245 kilograms.”

“The suspects arrested in connection with the consignment are Ibrahim Abu (29), Abu Abdullazeez (28), Jibril Jaminu (35), Andrew Moses (22), and Ganiyu Abu (21). All are males and indigenes of Etsako East and Etsako West Local Government Areas of Edo State.

“Preliminary investigations indicate that the illicit shipment originated from Sabongida-Ora in Owan West Local Government Area and was destined for the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, before it was intercepted.

“The potential damage this consignment could have caused to the FCT and the entire North Central region, but for our intervention, is unimaginable,” Ofoyeju said.

He added that the trucks and exhibits have been moved to the command headquarters in Benin City for further documentation and investigation, which is already underway.

The vehicles, he noted, will be confiscated as instruments of drug trafficking.

The commander assured the public that efforts are ongoing to uncover the network behind the operation and bring all those involved to justice.

He also called on citizens to support the agency by providing timely and credible information to aid its efforts in safeguarding communities.

The suspects reportedly admitted to the crime, stating that they were promised N10,000 for each parcel successfully delivered to Abuja.

Metro

Violence Rocks APC Reps Primary In Ekiti Ward, Exercise Declared Inconclusive

Published

2 days ago

May 16, 2026

Editor

Chaos erupted at the All Progressives Congress, APC, primary for Ward 10, Fajuyi Pavilion, Ado Local Government Area of Ekiti State on Saturday.

Electoral officials halted the process and declared it inconclusive after violence broke out among party supporters.

The primary pitted Olushola Fatoba against Tope Ogunleye, widely known as RST. Loyalists and agents of both aspirants had converged on Fajuyi Pavilion before voting was scheduled to begin.

According to eyewitnesses, tensions rose when suspected thugs allegedly backing Fatoba stormed the venue wielding canes and firearms. Their arrival appeared aimed at intimidating Ogunleye’s supporters and suppressing turnout.

Despite the hostile atmosphere, Ogunleye’s backers held their ground, chanting solidarity songs in support of their candidate. Voting eventually started under heavy tension.

Observers at the scene said Ogunleye seemed to have the larger share of support among members present, with his base visibly outnumbering the opposition.

Violence broke out after Fatoba’s camp allegedly sensed an imminent loss. Clashes between both groups forced an abrupt end to voting.

During the unrest, Ogunleye’s agent, Mr. Sunday, was assaulted. Another member, Mr. Femi Ogunleye, was reportedly beaten and his Tecno Spark 9 phone seized. A female supporter, Mrs. Oluwaseun Osamuwa, was also attacked and her Apple Smart Wrist Watch stolen. Both Mr. Femi Ogunleye and Mrs. Osamuwa sustained injuries and were rushed to hospital.

As of press time, no winner had emerged and the Ward 10 primary remained inconclusive.

The violence has renewed concerns over thuggery and intimidation in internal party elections. Party members and political observers say the incident raises serious questions about voters’ ability to freely choose candidates without fear.

Stakeholders are calling on security agencies and electoral authorities to probe the disruption, ensure justice for those attacked, and safeguard the credibility of future primaries.

Metro

My Wife Destroyed My Property, Instigated Our Children To Beat Me, Man Tells Court

Published

2 days ago

May 16, 2026

Editor

The Grade A Customary Court, Court 2, sitting in Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State, has delivered judgment in a divorce suit filed by a man, Theophilus, against his wife, Aina, whom she accused of lack of affection, frequent quarrels, and domestic violence.

According to Theophilus, Aina was stubborn and always insisted on having things her own way.

He further said that she was disobedient and refused to listen to him.

The plaintiff also told the court that the defendant was hostile towards their friends and neighbours, which often led to conflicts between them.

He further claimed that Aina was violent and would attack him with any object within her reach during disagreements.

In addition, he accused her of destroying his property whenever they had differences.

Theophilus also explained that Aina turned their children against him.

He stated that they assaulted him and damaged his belongings.

He told the court that he eventually left their home because he feared for his safety and believed that the defendant intended to harm him.

The plaintiff therefore appealed to the court to dissolve their marriage and also requested an order restraining Aina from threatening him or interfering with his privacy.

Aina was absent from court despite being served court summons.

Theophilus, while giving his testimony before the court, stated, “I have not enjoyed peace or rest of mind since I married my wife.

“I paid her bride price to her family, but they rejected it.

“My wife is far from being a virtuous woman.

“She was never submissive and was always full of herself.

“She had no respect for me and disobeyed my instructions whenever she wished.

“She neither listened to me nor accepted my advice.

“My wife was also violent.

“During disagreements, she attacked me with any dangerous object she could lay her hands on.

“On three different occasions, Aina destroyed my property.

“Our neighbours and friends were not exempt from her hostility.

“She was constantly at loggerheads with them and fought with them on several occasions.

“My wife also turned our children against me.

“They beat me mercilessly and nearly killed me.

“They also destroyed my belongings.

“I left the house after the incident because it became obvious that my wife wanted me dead.

“I came to court to seek the dissolution of our marriage because my wife’s presence in my life has brought me nothing but pain and suffering.

“I sincerely appeal to the court to dissolve our marriage.

“I also request an order restraining her from threatening me or interfering with my privacy.”

The Court President, Mrs. O. E. Owoseni, while delivering judgment, stated that there was no valid marriage to dissolve because no marital rites were performed, and no bride price was paid.

Owoseni also issued an order restraining the defendant from threatening or interfering with the plaintiff’s private life

Metro

‘I Have Nowhere To Go, He Married Me At 14yrs Old, Now He Wants Divorce 30yrs After’

Published

2 days ago

May 16, 2026

Editor

A 44-year-old woman, Zainab Isah, has told a Shari’a Court 1 sitting at Magajin Gari, Kaduna, Kaduna State, that she had nowhere to go after her divorce from her husband, Alhaji Abdulhamid.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Zainab told the court that Abdulhamid married her when she was 14 years old.

“I have been married to him for 30 years now and our union is blessed with 10 children,” she stated.

She further said that her husband divorced her on January 1.

“I am yet to complete my waiting period (Iddah), as required under Islam.

“I lived in peace with my co-wives but I can’t leave my children for them; three of my children are sick,” she said.

Earlier , Abdulrashid Musa, counsel to Abdulhamid, prayed the court to compel Zainab to leave his house since they were no longer married.

He said he had issued two pronouncement of divorce to the defendant.

The first, he said was pronounced on December 29, 2025, adding that she had finished her Iddah.

He stated that all efforts made by him to ensure she leaves his house, failed.

He alleged that she was causing trouble for his other wives.

The complainant however, told the court that he was ready to pay for his ex wife’s rent when she gets a new place to live with her children.

The judge, Malam Mu’awiya Shehu said the rights of a woman for shelter, feeding and other provisions by the husband ends when divorce occur adding that only the children have the right to be taken care of .

He adjourned the matter to June 1 for the defendant to find a new place she can relocate to with her children.