Metro

Pregnant Woman, Female Undergraduate, 26 Others Arrested With Tons Of Illicit Drugs

Published

2 years ago

October 17, 2022

A pregnant woman, a nursing mother and a 200-level university student were among 28 persons arrested with 9,437.6 kilograms of cannabis and 138,053 tablets of pharmaceutical opioids among others by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

Authorities say the arrest was made during interdiction operations across 12 states: Yobe, Ondo, Edo, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Imo, Jigawa, Kogi, Adamawa, Kaduna, Kwara, Lagos and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

In the FCT, operatives on Saturday 15th October stormed a village known as Chukuku, which is about 10 kilometers from Gwagwalada where they raided a large cannabis warehouse.

A total of 510 jumbo bags of the illicit substance weighing 5, 640kgs were recovered from the store and a nursing mother in charge, Sa’adatu Abdullahi, 35, was arrested.

In Yobe, while operatives intercepted 48kgs of cannabis in Buni Yadi, they also raided a location in Potiskum where they recovered 56 blocks (31kgs) from two suspects: Mohammed Mamuda and a married pregnant woman, Hauwa Haruna.

Similarly, at least, 99 bags of cannabis and three bags of its seeds weighing 1,286kgs were seized on Thursday 13th Oct when operatives raided a location in Ogbese area of Ondo state, while another raid at Umukpe forest in Uhunmonde council area of Edo state led to the seizure of 410kgs of the same substance in addition to a motorcycle, two dane guns and the arrest of two suspects: Numga Anim, 30, and Friday Ebije, 50.

In a similar vein, not less than 50 bags of C/S weighing 623kgs were also recovered at Ekpom village in Igueben LGA with the arrest of the owner, Lucky Henry, 30, while another suspect, Ndidi Esegine, 52, was nabbed at Ugbodo forest, Ovia North East LGA with 266.8kgs C/S on Tuesday 11th Oct.

Two days later, operatives stormed Uzebba forest in Owan West LGA to destroy four cannabis farms where two suspects: Ezekiel Raphael and Gideon Bassey were arrested with a total of 223.5kgs processed C/S recovered.

The NDLEA in a statement on Sunday by its spokesman, Femi Babafemi, disclosed that a stop and search operation along the East/West road, in Ahoada area of Rivers state also led to the recovery of 251.4kgs of C/S in a gold colour Toyota Sienna bus with Reg No – Abuja YAB 70 BR, and a suspect, Segun Ajayi arrested, while 161.4kgs were equally recovered, from an ash colour Toyota Camry saloon car with Reg No- Abuja RBC 590 BQ.

In Akwa Ibom state, attempt by a trans-border trafficker, Edet Osu James, 44, to export 2.4kgs cocaine concealed in two large tins of powdered milk to Cameroon was foiled by officers of the Marine unit of the Agency on Thursday 13th Oct during an outward clearance of vessels going to Cameroon from Oron.

Likewise, in Imo state, no fewer than 10,690 pills of tramadol were intercepted during stop and search operations along Owerri-Onitsha road with three suspects: Saadu Usman; Godwin Emeka and Emeka Obijihe arrested in follow-up efforts on Thursday 13th Oct.

Interestingly, Emeka Obijihe was already standing trial for a similar offence for which he was arrested on 9th May 2022 and was on court bail when he was arrested again last Thursday for trafficking 6.5kgs of tramadol.

Meanwhile in Jigawa state, operatives recovered 67,300 pills of exol-5 and tramadol at Dansure/Roni junction while in Kogi state, a total of 46,100 pills of the same opioids were seized along Okene-Abuja highway both on Thursday 13th Oct.

At least, six suspects were arrested at a notorious drug location in Ngurore town, Adamawa state with a total of 495kgs cannabis seized in addition to different quantities of opioids. Suspects arrested include: Chidi Titus; Vincent Donatus; Badishi Bitrus; Abubakar Inuwa; Abdul A. Abdul and Inuwa Ado Isa.

Mr Babafemi in his correspondence also noted that at least, 5,480 pills of tramadol were seized from two suspects: Dalhatu Salisu and Hamisu Ishaq, who were arrested on Wednesday 12th October by operatives along Abuja-Kaduna express road, while a total of 3,800 bottles of new psychoactive substance, Akuskura and 7,760 tablets of tramadol were recovered from five suspects along Ilorin-Jebba highway.

Four of the suspects: Idris Nadir, 38; Suleiman Mubammed, 68; Babangida Zaki, 30 and Yahaya Lawal claimed they were coming from Ibadan, Oyo state and taking the Akuskura to Katsina, Kano and Birnin Kebbi. The fifth suspect, Nafiu Idris, who was arrested with the tramadol pills said he was taking them to Kankara in Katsina state.

Furthermore, a 200-level student of Mass Communication at National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Ms. Mercy Nyong, 30, was on Wednesday 12th Oct arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja Lagos for attempting to export 300grams of tramadol 225mg concealed in incense products going to Dubai, UAE.

In another development, nine Ghanaians arrested for attempting to smuggle 10,843.95kgs cannabis into Nigeria through the sea were on Friday 14th Oct convicted and sentenced to 72 years imprisonment.

They were initially arrested by men of the Civil Defence Corps and transferred to NDLEA for further investigation and prosecution. At the conclusion of investigations, they were arraigned in charge number FHC/L/292C/2021.

Delivering his ruling in the matter on Friday, Justice Akintayo Aluko of the Federal High Court, Lagos convicted the Ghanaians of conspiracy and dealing in cannabis and thereafter sentenced each of them to eight years in prison.

The convicts include: Victor Wuddah; Freeman Gazul; Adotete Joseph; Sottie Moses; Sottie Stephen; Christian Tette; Kanu Okonipa; Daniel Koyepti; and Kanu Natte.

While commending the officers and men of Yobe, MMIA, Ondo, Edo, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Imo, Jigawa, Kogi, Adamawa, Kaduna, Kwara, Lagos and FCT Commands of the anti-narcotics Agency for their efforts at drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction, NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), charged the operatives and their counterparts across other commands not to rest on their oars.

Metro

Edo Police Parade 21 Suspects Over Alleged Murder, Cultism, Pipeline Vandalism

Published

20 hours ago

April 23, 2024

Editor

No fewer than 21 suspects were on Tuesday paraded by the Nigeria police, Edo State Command, for alleged robbery, unlawful possession of fire arms, murder, cultism, illicit drugs, economic sabotage and pipeline vandalism.

Parading the suspects at the Command headquarters, Benin City, the Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command, Mr. Funsho Adegboye, said the suspects were arrested at different parts of the state for various crimes.

Among the suspects were Ovie Samuel (46), Stanley Itota (45), Felix Oputi (46), Kadiri Hassan (45) and Alex Akaeze, who were arrested for being in possession of 1,080 kilograms of ICE (hard drug), worth ₦20, million street value.

Adegboye described successes recorded by operatives of the different units of the Command in the last two weeks as “a season of harvest of criminals.”

“This has been a season of harvest of criminals. the suspects were arrested within a period of two weeks and all this is done to make Edo safe for the citizens to carry out businesses in the state,” he said.

Meanwhile, CP Funsho Adegboye has advised parents to warn their children, especially university students, to avoid being used by unscrupulous politicians.

He gave the warning ahead of the commencement of governorship electioneering.

“We want to implore members of the public to please warn their wards, especially young people, especially university students.

“Our youths should be discouraged, they should not be used as tools in the hands of some unscrupulous politicians.

“Like I advised the executive members of the Students’ Union of the University of Benin, the people that are making use of them, their own children are not around, so why would they want to get involved,” he said.

Adegboye, who commended the people of the state for supporting the police, appealed to all stakeholders to continue to give useful information to enable the police to fight crimes and criminality in the state.

Metro

JUST IN: Aircraft Belonging To Dana Air Skids Off Lagos Airport Runway

Published

1 day ago

April 23, 2024

Editor

An aircraft belonging to Dana Air has skidded off the runway in Lagos State.

Details about the incident are still unclear as of the time of filing this report.; however, a source confirmed to our correspondent that no casualties were recorded.

Details soon…

Metro

Cable Theft Soldiers Dismissed

Published

2 days ago

April 22, 2024

Editor

The Nigerian Army has dismissed two soldiers accused of stealing armoured cables at the Dangote Refinery in Lagos State.

The soldiers, Corporal Innocent Joseph and Lance Corporal Jacob Gani, were arrested while moving out of the facility with 897 armoured cables cut to size.

Director Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, who earlier described the action of the soldiers as “totally unacceptable and highly regrettable” confirmed their dismissal in a statement on Monday, April 22.

“In line with Nigerian Army’s (NA) commitment to upholding high standard of professionalism, integrity and discipline, the NA wishes to update the general public on the outcome of the investigation into the alleged theft of armoured cables at the Dangote Refinery premises on 14th April 2024, involving Corporal Innocent Joseph and Lance Corporal Jacob Gani,” the statement read.

“Sequel to a thorough investigation conducted in collaboration with the management of the company, the two soldiers were found to have abandoned their duty post and to be in unauthorized possession of the materials.

“Subsequently, they were both charged for Failure to Perform Military Duties punishable under section 57, sub section (1) and Other Civil Offences punishable under section 114, sub section (1) of the Armed Forces Act CAP A20, the Law of the Federation of Nigeria 2004. They were summarily tried.

“During the trial, the evidence against them was presented and they were given the opportunity to present their cases and defend themselves, but were however found guilty of the charges levelled against them in accordance with military laws.

“As a demonstration of NA’s zero-tolerance for misconduct and criminality within its ranks, the two soldiers have been dismissed from the NA with immediate effect and handed over to relevant authorities for further prosecution.

“This decisive action underscores the NA’s resoluteness in maintaining its institutional integrity and reputation.

“The NA reassures the general public of its dedication to upholding integrity, discipline and accountability at all levels. We remain resolute in our duty to protect and serve the nation with honor and dignity.

“We urge the public to continue to support our efforts in safeguarding national security and promoting peace and stability across the nation.”