Metro

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

Published

6 months ago

February 16, 2025

Editor

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have dismantled a trans-border drug trafficking syndicate, arresting four key members in intelligence-led operations.

The crackdown resulted in the seizure of tramadol pills worth millions of naira hidden in vehicle compartments, methamphetamine disguised as auto spare parts, and other illicit substances across multiple states, including Anambra, Cross River, Nasarawa, Taraba, Ekiti, and Lagos.

This was disclosed in a statement signed by the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, on Sunday.

The statement read: “Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have busted a trans-border drug trafficking syndicate, arresting four members in intelligence-led operations, during which tramadol pills worth millions of naira, concealed in the bumpers and false bottoms of Sienna buses heading to border towns, were recovered.

“Following weeks of intelligence and surveillance operations by operatives of the Directorate of Intelligence in the NDLEA, a Sienna bus marked ABJ 452 HG was intercepted at Nasarawa-Toto Road, Keffi, Nasarawa State, on Tuesday, January 27th, 2025, at 6 a.m. Two suspects, Zahradeen Adamu, 27, and Abubakar Usman, 44, were arrested in the vehicle travelling from Onitsha, Anambra State, en route to Yola, Adamawa State. A second Sienna bus driven by Abba Usman, 48, was also intercepted.

“During a search of the two vehicles, specially constructed steel compartments were discovered after the removal of the back bumper, where a total of 190,960 tramadol pills were concealed, as well as in the space designed to house the spare tyre.

“Investigations revealed that an Onitsha-based dealer, Kingsley Mbaeri, supplied the seized tramadol consignment. A swift follow-up operation led to the arrest of Mbaeri at his Uga Street, Onitsha residence on 29th January. Two vehicles — a Toyota Corolla with registration number FGG 948 MF and a Toyota Sienna bus marked GWA 23 HH — were recovered from his house.”

NDLEA also intercepted a suspect, Chimezie Ojingwa, with 404.47 grams of methamphetamine, 506.49 grams of Loud (a synthetic cannabis strain), and 262.32 grams of dimethyl sulfone (a precursor for meth production) hidden inside a black bag filled with auto spare parts.

The statement continued: “In another interdiction, operatives of the Intelligence Department intercepted a commercial bus coming from Onitsha, Anambra State, at Abaji checkpoint, FCT Abuja, on 4th February. A passenger in the bus, Chimezie Henry Ojingwa, 32, carrying motor spare parts in a black bag, was arrested. When his bag was searched, 404.47 grams of methamphetamine, 506.49 grams of Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, and 262.32 grams of dimethyl sulfone, a precursor for mixing meth, all of which were concealed in the motor parts, were recovered.”

In Cross River State, NDLEA operatives intercepted a truck transporting 170,000 tramadol pills. At the Apapa seaport in Lagos, NDLEA officers recovered 85,400 bottles of codeine-based syrup in a container imported from India.

The statement added: “In Cross River State, NDLEA officers on patrol along Ogoja-Abakaliki Road, Yahe, on Thursday, 13th February, intercepted 170,000 tramadol pills in a truck driven by Paul Chukwudi, 31, while operatives at the Apapa seaport in Lagos on Tuesday, 11th February, recovered 85,400 bottles of codeine-based syrup in a container imported from India.”

Two suspects, Halilu Isa and Gambo Umaru, were arrested in Borno State with 60 compressed blocks of skunk weighing 72 kilograms.

NDLEA operatives also raided a notorious drug joint in Ekiti, arresting three suspects—Bala Muhammed, 57; Yahaya Adamu, 55; and Abdullahi Shehu, 30. The operation led to the confiscation of 83 kilograms of skunk.

The statement continued: “Two suspects, Halilu Isa and Gambo Umaru, were nabbed at Bama Road, Maiduguri, Borno State, on Friday, 14th February, with 60 compressed blocks of skunk, a strain of cannabis, weighing 72 kg. Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives in Ekiti State on Tuesday, 11th February, raided a notorious drug joint at Iloda Street, Ikole-Ekiti, where they arrested three suspects—Bala Muhammed, 57; Yahaya Adamu, 55; and Abdullahi Shehu, 30. A total of 83 kilograms of skunk were recovered from them.”

A 28-year-old woman, Samiat Yussuf, was arrested in Lagos after NDLEA operatives raided her residence in Lekki. The operation led to the seizure of 169.5 litres of nitrous oxide (commonly known as laughing gas) and 111 grams of Loud.

Similarly, in Taraba, officers confiscated 132.84 kilograms of skunk from two suspects during operations in Wukari and Jalingo LGA.

The statement added: “In Lagos, 28-year-old Samiat Olabisi Yussuf was arrested on Saturday, 15th February, by operatives during a raid of her Lekki home, where 169.5 litres of nitrous oxide, popularly known as laughing gas, and 111 grams of Loud were recovered.

“Not less than 132.84 kilograms of skunk were recovered from two suspects, Ibrahim Usman, 40, and Solomon James, 40, in Taraba. While Usman was nabbed with 88 kg of Arizona and Ghana Loud at Wukari, James was arrested with 44.84 kg of the same substance at Takanaba, Sabongari, in Jalingo LGA.”

The NDLEA has reaffirmed its commitment to dismantling drug networks and preventing illicit substances from reaching the streets. The agency continues to intensify its intelligence-driven operations across the country, ensuring that traffickers are brought to justice.

Metro

Court Orders Divorce-seeking Woman To Pay Her Husband N120,000

Published

10 hours ago

August 17, 2025

Editor

A Shari’a court sitting at Magajin Gari, Kaduna State, has ordered a businessman, Malam Baballe Ibrahim, to allow his ex-wife, Hauwa’u to move her belongings out of his house.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the judge, Malam Kabir Muhammad, gave the order after dissolving the one-year-old marriage between Ibrahim and Hauwa’u by way of khul’i (redemption).

This means that the wife must refund the dowry paid by Ibrahim before the wedding to redeem herself from the marriage.

The judge ordered Hauwa’u to return the N100,000 dowry to Ibrahim and another N20,000 given as “Kudin Gaisuwa” (money given to her parents during the introduction).

Ibrahim had refused to grant Hauwa’u divorce.

He also locked her out and demanded that she should pay him everything he had spent on her when he started courting her and during the one-year marriage.

“I took care of her and provided everything she needed during our marriage.

“I bought skin and hair care products, clothing and make ups for her,” he said.

Metro

I Worked Hard Abroad In Order To Pay House Rent, Our Children’s Fees, Even Though My Husband Is Alive —Wife

Published

10 hours ago

August 17, 2025

Editor

…I fed her, our children conveniently despite earning N100,000 — Husband

Grade A Customary Court sitting at Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State, has dissolved the 14-year-old union between a couple, Jadesola and Akintunde, on the grounds of lack of love, laziness, constant fight and assault occasioning harm.

Jadesola, who dragged her husband to court, stated that she bore the task of providing for their home from the outset of their marriage, though her husband was alive, hale and hearty.

She explained that she was responsible for 80 percent of the financial engagement in the home.

According to her, she paid more than half of their children’s school fees, adding that it was the same with their rent.

The plaintiff further said that she worked round the clock abroad so that she and her husband could acquire a joint property.

Jadesola added that she walked out of their marriage after she returned home from her sojourn and realised that her husband was solely dependent on her.

The plaintiff thus prayed the court to end their relationship and grant her custody of their children because he lacked the ability to take care of them.

She also requested an order restricting her husband from threatening and interfering with her private life.

Akintunde denied all the allegations brought against him but agreed to divorce.

He stated that he was earning N100,000 per month and that he paid their children’s school fees as and when due.

The defendant said the plaintiff walked out of their marriage after she returned from seeking greener pasture.

Akintunde added that Jadesola went away with their children and changed their schools without his consent.

He added that she blocked his WhatsApp number on their son’s phone.

Akintunde further said that Jadesola frustrated every effort made by their families to reconcile them.

The defendant prayed the court for custody of their children, stating that he took great care of them for the two years his wife sought greener pastures.

Jadesola, in her testimony, said: “My husband and I got married in 2011 and we lived together for 10 years.

“I took up the responsibility of the breadwinner in our home from the outset of our marriage, although my husband was alive, hale and hearty.

“I provided 80 percent of the funds used in running the home.

“I contributed the largest share for our house rent and children’s school fees.

“We were obviously living from hand to mouth.

“I sought greener pastures in order to bring ease into our marriage.

“I worked endlessly during my sojourn abroad to ensure that my husband and I jointly acquired some properties, and I returned home at the end of two years.

“It became glaring after I returned that my husband’s survival was solely dependent on me.

“I walked out of our marriage after we had a heated argument which resulted in a fight.

“He beat me to a pulp and almost killed me.

“I took our children along and had continued to be responsible for their upkeep.

“I pray this honourable court to dissolve our wedlock and grant me custody of our children.

“I further request an order restraining him from threatening and interfering with my private life.”

Akintunde in his response said: “My lord, I never failed in carrying out my duties in the home despite earning N100,000 per month.

“I contributed generously towards the payment of our rent and our children’s school fees.

“There was never a time our children went hungry.

“I, in addition, took great care of them when she was away from home for two years in search of greener pasture.

“My wife changed and took to complaining and nagging after she returned from her sojourn.

“We fought almost all the time.

“She moved out of our home after our last fight and reported me at the police station.

“The police mediated in our differences and made us sign a settlement agreement.

“She took our children along with her and changed their school without my knowledge.

“I went to our children’s school and was informed that their mother had withdrawn them.

“Jadesola denied me access to our children even though she signed an agreement at the police station to grant me access to them on weekends.

“She blocked my WhatsApp number on our son’s phone.

“She frustrated every effort made by the police and our two families to reconcile us.

“My lord, I agree that the court dissolved our union, but I plead that our children’s custody be granted me.

“I took good care of both of them when she was away from home for two years seeking greener pastures.”

The court president, Mrs S. M. Akintayo, giving her judgment stated that since both parties agreed to divorce, the court had no choice than to grant both the relief sought.

Akintayo thus pronounced their union dissolved.

She in addition gave an order restraining the defendant from both threatening and interfering with the plaintiff’s private life.

Akintayo considering the custody of their two children, stated that their female child was approaching puberty and would need her mother’s attention and guide.

Akintayo therefore put their female child in the plaintiff’s custody and the male in the defendant’s custody.

Metro

My Wife Abandoned Me, Our 3yr-old Son, Moved In With Another Man —Husband

Published

11 hours ago

August 17, 2025

Editor

He never said he couldn’t take care of our children —Wife

A man, Jimoh, has approached Grade A Customary Court, Mapo 2, sitting at Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State, seeking that his 25-year-old wedlock with his wife, Aminat, be dissolved on the grounds of lack of love and care, domestic violence and abandonment.

Jimoh stated that Aminat walked out of their marriage after living together for 18 years, leaving their two children who were in their tender age behind.

The plaintiff stated that the defendant moved in with another man after abandoning him.

According to Jimoh, Aminat took their first child away from him after raising him to the level that he gained an admission into the tertiary institution.

He added that his wife came back late last year demanding to take their second child away from him.

Jimoh explained that Aminat would be a bad influence on their children because she now associates with women of questionable character.

Jimoh prayed for the dissolution of their marriage.

He also entreated the court for their children’s custody.

The plaintiff further requested an order restraining his wife from threatening and interfering with his private life.

Aminat agreed to the dissolution of their marriage.

She explained that she and the plaintiff had an agreement of sharing equally the financial responsibility of their children.

Jimoh in his testimony said, “I impregnated my wife while we were dating and she moved in with me.

“We did not carry out any marital rites and I did not pay her bride price.

“We both lived together for 18 years and our union was blessed with two children.

“We had our ups and downs like any other couple, but still kept a smooth relationship.

“My wife, to my chagrin, walked out of our marriage and moved in with another man.

“She abandoned me and our two children who were aged 13 years old and 3 years old respectively, I took up the challenge of taking care of them.

“Our first child performed well in his WAEC and was admission in a tertiary institution.

“My wife came and took him away without my consent.

“She returned again late last year demanding to take our second child.

“She has refused that I had rest of mind which was why I came to court.

“She has been sending people to threaten me since I came to court.

“My lord, I pray that end our relationship and grant me custody of our children whom she abandoned for years.

“I also request an order restricting her from threatening and interfering with my private life.”

Aminat in her response to the allegations told the court that all her husband told the court were lies.

She said: “My lord, although all he said are lies, I agree that our marriage be dissolved.

“My husband never complained that he could not take care of our children.

“We both bore the financial responsibility of their upkeep equally and I never defaulted in our arrangement.

“He refused that I had access to our children. The last time I saw them was in 2022.

“My lord, I entreat the court to grant me their custody.”

Giving her judgment, the president of the court, Mrs O. E. Owoseni, stated that there was no marriage to be dissolved because no customary marriage held between the two, and no bride price was paid.

According to her, both of them were only cohabiting and that they were not married.

Owoseni further said that she abandoned their two children at ages 13 and 3, when they needed her care and attention, while she also dumped her husband for another man.

Owoseni stated that their first child was old enough to decide with whom he wanted to stay with between both parents.

According to her, their second child was approaching puberty and would need guidance and mentorship of his father.

Owoseni therefore granted the plaintiff custody of their second child.

She mandated both the plaintiff and defendant to be responsible for his upkeep.

(TRIBUNE)