The Nation Newspaper

Tag: drug dealers

  • Drug dealers using fake presidency plate numbers jailed for 35 years each

    Drug dealers using fake presidency plate numbers jailed for 35 years each

    Two drug dealers arrested in Adamawa State last year while transporting illicit substances in vehicles with fake presidency plate numbers have been sentenced to 35 years in prison each.

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), in collaboration with the military, had intercepted the convicts near the Numan Bridge with 626 blocks of cannabis weighing 500.8kg.

    The drug consignments, concealed in two tinted vehicles—a Toyota Hilux (Lagos NT 829 AAA) and a Prado SUV (01B-266 FG)—were being transported from Ondo State to Mubi, Adamawa State.

    Although the fake presidency plate numbers were intended to evade security checks, the traffickers were apprehended, and both the vehicles and illegal drugs were confiscated.

    The culprits: Shuaibu Nuhu Isa, 55, and Zidon Zurga, 50, were picked up on November 25, 2024 along the Numan-Yola road.

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    A legal process was instituted against them and after facing trial before Justice Bala Usman of the Federal High Court, Yola, the two were convicted on Friday, March 7, 2025, and were each handed 35-year jailed term. 

    The court also ordered forfeiture of the two vehicles used for the illicit operation.

    Reacting to the development, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri whomhad followed the case from when it started in 2024, commended the NDLEA and security agencies for their commitment to making Adamawa State drug-free.

    The two convicts (top pic), and the two vehicles they used (above)

    Adamawa commandant of the NDLEA, Agboalu Samson (with microphone), Governor Ahmadu Fintiri (hands crossed) and deputy governor Kaletapwa Farauta (hands crossed also) viewing some of the parcels of the illicit drugs when freshly intercepted in 2024.

  • Two drug dealers jailed six years

    Two drug dealers jailed six years

    The Federal High Court in Lagos has sentenced two businessmen – Chukwuemeka Emmanuel and Amanambu Kingsley – to six years’ imprisonment for the unlawful importation of 8,200 kilogrammes of cough syrup containing prohibited Codeine.

    Justice Akintayo Aluko ordered the forfeiture of a White Toyota Tacoma V6 with registration number EKY 883 GK, used in transporting the prohibited drug to the Federal Government.

    The convicts pleaded guilty to three counts of conspiracy, unlawful importation and dealing in the banned drug filed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

    Prosecuting counsel, Juliana Negedu, said the convicts were arrested on June 10 with the banned cough syrup at Comfort Oboh Estate, Kirikiri, Apapa.

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    The alleged offences contravene sections 14(b), 11(a) and 11(c) and are punishable under Section 20(2)(b) of the NDLEA Act of 2004.

    NDLEA exhibit keeper, N. Benjamin, tendered the bulk of the seized drug and other exhibits, after which Negedu urged the court to convict and sentence the businessmen.

    Defence counsel, Rita Nyiew, in her alocutus (plea for mercy), urged the court to be lenient, order a non-custodial sentence or give them an option of a fine, being first-time offenders.

    Justice Aluko sentenced them to five years on count one, six years on count two and three years on count three.

    He ordered them to pay N1 million on each of the counts as a fine option in lieu of a jail term.

    Justice Aluko granted Negedu’s application for the final forfeiture of the Toyota Tacoma V6 to the Federal Government.

  • Otto-Awori residents cry out over open sales of drugs, robbery

    Residents of Halidu Avenue in Ekunpa Area of Otto Awori LCDA in Lagos State have cried out over the nefarious activities of drug dealers, smokers and open robbery by hoodlums in the community.

    One of the residents, Samusideen Akano, who spoke to The Nation, lamented the situation, which he said  has reached an alarming level.

    “The situation has become so bad that marijuana is peddled and smoked openly, even as the hoodlums engage in open-day robbery, snatching bags, phones and other valuables from passers-by.”

    Akano said what makes it more annoying is the fact that the criminal activities are taking place, not too far from the palace of the traditional ruler of the community, Kabiesi Elekunpa, Oba Rafiu Kosoko, raising tacit suspicion of complicity.

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    Investigations by our reporter revealed that the leader of the hemp dealers, who lives in nearby Etegbin Road, uses his dark spot at the entrance of Halidu Avenue to attract hoodlums and drug addicts, thereby constituting nuisance and threat to safety in the area.

    Another resident who craved anonymity said, “We now live in constant fear of attack, even when going for our day-to-day business.

    “More worrisome is the fact that law enforcement agencies, that come around only patronize them for settlement and drive off. We are using this opportunity to appeal to the appropriate authorities, including the state government, local government, Shibiri Police Post, Area ‘K’ Command and other security outfits to wade in and rid the area of the hoodlums.”

    However, when the kabiyesi was contacted, he said he is not aware of any such activity. He advised anyone who has such allegation “to petition the police,” stressing that as a monarch, he hardly ventures out, except on important occasions.

  • Court sentences five drug dealers to death

    Five drug traffickers have been sentenced to death and another six sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve in north China’s Shanxi Province, the Shanxi Provincial Higher People’s Court said on Tuesday.

    The Changzhi Intermediate People’s Court handed down the verdicts on 32 defendants in three drug-trafficking cases on Monday.

    “Fourteen were sentenced to life in prison and the remaining seven were given jail terms of no less than two years.

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    “In one case, 27 members of a drug ring were found guilty of trafficking methcathinone across provinces between August 2015 and March 2016,’’ the court said.

    Tuesday was International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

  • Drug dealers solicit govt’s assistance

    Abia State Patent and Proprietary Medicine Dealers Association (APPAMDA) has urged the government to assist it in building the Wholesale Drug Control Centre (WDCC).

    The Federal Government gave drug dealers till next January to complete the WDCC and move into the facility or face sanction.

    Its Chairman Chukwuemeka Osuagwu told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Aba the association was unable to pay for the land.

    He noted that they need to pay the owner before construction can start.

    Osuagwu feared that with eight months left, they may be unable to meet the deadline.

    “The developers sent by the Federal Government have written to us that they are ready to come and collect the survey plan and start work.

    “We replied that they should be patient with us; this is to allow us time to reach an understanding with the owner of the land before we start work.

    “We don’t want people to see us as being lawless. So the right thing must be done,” he said.

    The chairman said the association had a pending leadership matter in court that had affected the response of members towards contributing to the project.

    He said since the matter had been decided by a state High Court in favour of his team, the process of collecting money would improve.

  • 138 suspected drug dealers held

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has apprehended 138 persons for alleged drug trafficking and seized 1.399 metric tons of drugs.

    The drugs were seized at Ikeja, Oshodi, Mushin, Lagos Island, Ikorodu and other parts of Lagos State between January and last month.

    One hundred and thirty seven men and a woman were arrested for drug trafficking.

    NDLEA Lagos commander Aliyu Sule said: “The command between January and March arrested 138 suspected drug dealers including a female and seized 1,399.780kg of drugs. Cannabis has the largest share with 1,390.38kg, tramadol 9.35kg, cocaine 23.65 grams and heroin 22.8 grams”.

    The commander said 84 drug dependent persons were counselled and re-united with their families; 54 drug dealers were convicted, while 125 cases are pending.

    A suspect Ngozi Owunna, 34, who allegedly distributed cannabis within Ikeja, was caught at Allen Junction with 600 grams of hemp after close monitoring by undercover narcotic agents.

    NDLEA quoted the suspect as saying: “I was a commercial motorcyclist but when the state government banned commercial motorcycles, I shifted to cannabis sales. I am from Enugu State.  I am married with three children.”

    Abdulrauf Oshilaja, 50, who was allegedly caught with 50.3kg of cannabis, claimed that he took to drug trafficking because of financial hardship.

    He said: “I have two wives and five children. I used to sell motor tyres but due to family problem I started selling drugs because there is more profit in it than selling tyres. I am from Oyo State. I was arrested at Ogijo, Ikorodu.”

     

  • Two suspected drug dealers held for robbery

    Two suspected drug dealers, Usman Yekini, 29, and Uchechukwu Udeh, 23, have been arrested by operatives of the Lagos State Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) for alleged robbery.

    The suspects were arrested on March 5 on Badagry Expressway after attacking one Henry Eke, who was driving a Volkswagen Passat car, with registration number LND 366 AY.

    The satellite Divisional Police Officer, who was on patrol, effected their arrest.

    Yekini from Okene in Kogi State said he went into drug business because he couldn’t afford to rent a room in Lagos.

    “I used to help him (Udeh) to sell drugs just to feed myself. He used to pay me N800 everyday for selling cocaine, heroin, Charly pin and Indian hemp daily.

    On that fateful day, the man’s car was faulty. We walked up to him pretending to help him but before he knew it, we ransacked his car. He called a man who alerted the police. We got arrested while eight other colleagues escaped,” he said.

    According to him, one pinch of cocaine is sold for N150, N250, and N500 depending on the demand.

    “You can take cocaine of N20, 000 to N25, 000 a day. I don’t have such money. I smoke Indian hemp which is sold for N50 a wrap. I have participated three times in operation take anything you can grab. In the first one I got N500 from the N5, 000 we got. The second one we got N8, 000 and I was given N700. The third operation I got nothing because the operation failed and I and this guy were arrested.

    Udeh, a native of Agbaai in Enugu State, said he lived with his brother in Ijegun Satellite Town, Lagos.

    He said: “I am a bus conductor at Navy Gate close to Mazamaza. We help drug dealers to sell drug at day time. In the night we go out on the streets to lookout for faulty cars to rob. We used to be about 10. Yekini, Uchenna, Janta, Okon (aka S14), Solo, Redman, Akpunwa, Peter and Osalome Onyema. We once robbed a man who conveyed turkey. I am a bus conductor. I used to get N3,000 everyday but spend N2,500 on drugs and N500 on feeding.

    The command’s spokesperson, Ken Nwosu, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said detectives were on the trail of the others.