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  • NDLEA arrests female bandits’ ammunition supplier

    NDLEA arrests female bandits’ ammunition supplier

    • Intercepts Colorado consignment in boxing kits on New Year Day

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it has arrested a 28-year old woman, Bilkisu Suleman, who supplies ammunition to bandits.

    Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters Abuja, Femi Babafemi, in a statement yesterday said Suleman came top on the list of 12 other suspects arrested by NDLEA operatives in interdiction operations in Kaduna, Lagos, Niger, Kogi, Kano, Borno, and Osun states.

    He said Bilkisu was arrested on January 3 by NDLEA officers on patrol along Zaria-Kano expressway in possession of 249 rounds of 7.62 mm live ammunition concealed in a black nylon bag kept in her handbag.

    The statement said: “She was on her way to deliver the ammunition to an identified bandit at Kakumi village, Katsina State when she was nabbed after which she was transferred to the Kaduna State Command of the Nigeria Police Force for further investigation.

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    “Military authorities at the Bonny camp cantonment in Lagos on January 2 transferred a suspect, Francis Suru, 37 and 63 jumbo bags of Ghana Loud, a strain of cannabis, weighing 2,104.2 kilogrammes and a truck to the Lagos State Command of NDLEA.

    “The suspect and the drug exhibits were earlier intercepted by NDLEA officers on December 12, 2023 close to the gate of the military cantonment in Bonny Camp, Victoria Island. Some armed escorts, however, resorted to sporadic shooting to obstruct the operation, a development which attracted soldiers from the cantonment, who eventually intervened and took custody of the consignment and suspect before transferring them to the agency.”

    Babafemi also said at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos on New Year Day, January 1, NDLEA operatives intercepted a consignment of Colorado, a very strong strain of cannabis, concealed in boxing kits imported from the United States of America.

    He said a week-long intelligence-led operation to get the receiver arrested was consummated on January 6, following the successful tracking and arrest of 38-year-old Olorunfunmi Saheed Olakunle, who distributes the dangerous psychoactive substance to dealers across Lagos State.  

    The consignment reportedly arrived the country on January 1 via Cairo on Egypt Airlines flight marked as boxing kits.

    Babafemi quoted Saheed as saying that he delivers such consignments to recipients whenever his childhood friend, US-based Sagir Salami, sends them.

    He said the latest shipment had a total weight of 1.80 kilogrammes.

    Babafemi said NDLEA operatives in Niger State on January 5 during a stop and search operation along Suleja-Kaduna road intercepted a J5 bus coming from Ondo State, heading for Zaria in Kaduna State with 23 bags of cannabis sativa weighing 219.5kg.

    He said two suspects: Umar Musa, 26 and Isachiru Abubakar were arrested in connection with the seizure.

    He said while a female drug trafficker, Queen Onyema, 27, was arrested on January 6 in a commercial bus en route to Abuja along Okene-Lokoja expressway with 12 compressed blocks of cannabis weighing 4.6kg and 0.046kg designer drugs concealed in a noodles carton, another suspect, Mubarak Sani, 20, was nabbed at Gadar Tamburawa area of Kano on January 1 with 445.9k kilogrammes of the same psychoactive substance.

    “In Borno, four suspects: Zanna Alhaji Dala, 32; Musa Umar, 21; Mushe Ibrahim, 23 and Shehu Idris, 19, were arrested at Pomfomari by pass area of the state with 60kg of cannabis.

    Also, in Osun, NDLEA operatives on patrol along Osogbo-Ode Omu road on January 1 intercepted a consignment of illicit drugs sent through waybill from Lagos to Osogbo. A follow-up operation led to the arrest of Ibrahim Olawale, 43. The drugs recovered include: cannabis sativa 10.8kg; Loud 150grams; Colorado 19grams; Molly 5grams totalling 10.974kg. A digital scale, N18,000 monetary exhibit and customised wrapping papers for Colorado were also seized.

    “NDLEA commands across the 36 states and the FCT equally continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA), sensitisation lectures in schools, communities, work places and others. Some of these include: WADA sensitisation lecture for students of Nurul Huda Community Islamiyya School, Farin Yaro, Katsina; members of first aid group of Jamaatul Izalatul Bidi’a Waiqamatus Sunnah (JIBWIS) at Ajilari Community School, Gomari, Maiduguri, Borno; WADA sensitisation lecture at the 2024 Oke Afo youth day, Olorunda LCDA Lagos and WADA advocacy visit to the Emir of Gaya, Alhaji Aliyu Ibrahim Gaya by the Kano State Command of the agency.

    “Commending the arrests and seizures of the past week by officers and men of the MMIA, Lagos, Niger, Kogi, Kano, Borno and Osun commands, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), urged them and their colleagues across all formations of the agency to continue to remain vigilant and double their drug demand reduction as well as drug supply reduction efforts in the new year,” the statement said.

  • NDLEA arrests 28-year-old female bandits’ ammunition supplier

    NDLEA arrests 28-year-old female bandits’ ammunition supplier

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), says it has arrested a 28-year-old woman Bilkisu Suleman who supplies ammunition to bandits.

    The director of media and advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters Abuja, Femi Babafemi, in a statement on Sunday, January 7, said Suleman came top on the list of 12 other suspects arrested by NDLEA operatives in New Year’s interdiction operations in Kaduna, Lagos, Niger, Kogi, Kano, Borno, and Osun states.

    Babafemi said Bilkisu was arrested on Wednesday 3rd January by NDLEA officers on patrol along the Zaria – Kano expressway in possession of 249 rounds of 7.62 mm live ammunition concealed in a black nylon bag kept in her lady’s handbag.

    The statement read: “She was on her way to deliver the ammunition to an identified bandit in Kakumi village, Katsina state when she was nabbed after which she was transferred to the Kaduna state command of the Nigeria Police Force for further investigation.

    “The military authorities at the Bonny camp cantonment in Lagos on Tuesday 2nd January transferred a suspect, Francis Suru, 37, and 63 jumbo bags of Ghana Loud, a strain of cannabis, weighing 2,104.2 kilograms and a truck to the Lagos state command of NDLEA.

    “The suspect and the drug exhibits were earlier intercepted by NDLEA officers on 12th December 2023 close to the gate of the military cantonment in Bonny Camp, Victoria Island. Some armed escorts however resorted to sporadic shooting to obstruct the operation, a development which attracted soldiers from the cantonment, who eventually intervened and took custody of the consignment and suspect before transferring them to the Agency.”

    Babafemi also said at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA Ikeja Lagos on New Year day, Monday 1st January 2024 intercepted a consignment of Colorado, a very strong strain of cannabis, concealed in boxing kits imported from the United States of America.

    He said a week-long intelligence-led operation to get the receiver arrested was consummated on Saturday 6th January following the successful tracking and arrest of 38-year-old Olorunfunmi Saheed Olakunle who distributes the dangerous psychoactive substance to dealers across Lagos state.  

    According to the statement, the consignment had arrived in the country on Monday 1st January via Cairo on an Egypt Airlines flight marked as boxing kits.

    Babafemi said according to Saheed, he delivers such consignments to different recipients whenever his childhood friend, US-based Sagir Salami sends them. 

    He said the latest shipment had a total weight of 1.80 kilograms.

    Babafemi said in the same vein, NDLEA operatives in Niger state on Thursday 5th January during a stop and search operation along Suleja-Kaduna road intercepted a J5 bus coming from Ondo state to Zaria, Kaduna state with twenty-three (23) bags of cannabis sativa weighing 219.5kg. 

    He said two suspects: Umar Musa, 26 and Isachiru Abubakar were arrested in connection with the seizure.

    He said that a female drug trafficker, Queen Onyema, 27, was arrested on Saturday 6th January in a commercial bus enroute in Abuja along Okene-Lokoja expressway with 12 compressed blocks of cannabis weighing 4.6kg and 0.046kg designer drugs concealed in an Indomie carton, another suspect Mubarak Sani, 20, was nabbed at Gadar Tamburawa area of Kano on Monday 1st January with 445.9k kilograms of the same psychoactive substance.

    “In Borno, four suspects: Zanna Alhaji Dala, 32; Musa Umar, 21; Mushe Ibrahim, 23, and Shehu Idris, 19 were arrested at Pomfomari bye pass area of the state with 60kg cannabis.

    Also, in Osun, NDLEA operatives on patrol along Osogbo-Ode Omu road on New Year’s day, Monday 1st January intercepted a consignment of illicit drugs sent through waybill from Lagos to Osogbo. A follow-up operation led to the arrest of Ibrahim Olawale, 43. The drugs recovered include cannabis sativa 10.8kg; Loud 150 grams; Colorado 19 grams; and Molly 5 grams totalling 10.974kg. A digital scale, N18,000 monetary exhibit, and customized wrapping papers for Colorado were also seized.

    “NDLEA Commands across the 36 states and the FCT equally continued their War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, sensitisation lectures in schools, communities, workplaces, and others. Some of these include: WADA sensitisation lecture for students of Nurul Huda Community Islamiyya school, Farin Yaro, Katsina; members of the first aid group of Jamaatul Izalatul Bidi’a Waiqamatus Sunnah (JIBWIS) at Ajilari community school, Gomari, Maiduguri, Borno; WADA sensitisation lecture at the 2024 Oke Afo youth day, Olorunda LCDA Lagos and WADA advocacy visit to the Emir of Gaya, Alhaji Aliyu Ibrahim Gaya by the Kano state command of the Agency.

    “Commending the arrests and seizures of the past week by officers and men of the MMIA, Lagos, Niger, Kogi, Kano, Borno, and Osun Commands, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) charged them and their compatriots across all formations of the Agency to continue to remain vigilant and double their drug demand reduction as well as drug supply reduction efforts in the New Year,” the statement reads.

  • Borno youths drink fermented urine to get high – NDLEA

    Borno youths drink fermented urine to get high – NDLEA

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has revealed how youths in Borno state drink fermented human urine, preserved over 10 days, as an alternative to hard drugs.

    The commander of narcotics of the NDLEA in Borno state, Iliyasu Mani, disclosed this in a statement issued in Maiduguri on Thursday, January 4.

    He expressed deep concern over the prevalent abuse of psychoactive substances among the youth, noting they also mix other unconventional substances such as lizard dung, camel urine, and mentholated spirit with soft drinks.

    He revealed they also inhale toilet fumes and gutter dirt in their quest to get intoxicated.

    Mani said: “Let me state categorically here that these new psychoactive substances that are commonly abused today include Cannabis Sativa, skunk, Cough syrup with codeine; Ice, Tramadol, Rohypnol, Diazepam, Pentazocine, rubber solution, glue, gutter dirt, toilet fumes, lizard dung.

    Read Also: Qatar-based bizman, others in NDLEA net over alleged drug trafficking

    “Others include Lipton soaked in gin, camel urine, Mentholated spirit in soft drinks; 10-day-old human Urine, and so on.”

    Mani said the NDLEA command, under his watch, had fought a hard battle against drug abuse but “unfortunately, the issue of substance abuse is even getting challenging, especially with the involvement of young teens in the abuse of new psychoactive substances, especially women.”

    “Despite all these, we must not lose our hope as the agency has strengthened its efforts towards prevention strategy through the establishment of remodeled counselling/rehab centre within the premises of Borno State Command,” the NDLEA commander said.

    Mani said his command had also established drop-in centres across all tertiary institutions to serve as drug abuse research centres for the benefit of all.

    He said the command, under his watch, had seized  4.5 tonnes of illicit substances and arrested 863 suspects.

    Of those arrested, he said 53 had been convicted while 736 were undergoing counselling.

  • Qatar-based bizman, others in NDLEA net over alleged drug trafficking

    Qatar-based bizman, others in NDLEA net over alleged drug trafficking

    National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it has intercepted a Qatar-based businessman, Agu Evidence Amobi, and one other, Uchegbu Onyebuchi Obi, with consignments of psychoactive substances at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos.

    A statement yesterday by the Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA headquarters, Abuja, Femi Babafemi, said while Amobi was arrested on December 30, 2023 at the departure point of Terminal 2 of the MMIA on his way to Doha, Qatar on a Qatar Airways flight, Obi was taken into custody same day following the seizure of a consignment of 72,000 pills of tramadol 225mg, which he attempted shipping to Kano on a local flight.

    NDLEA said Amobi, who claimed he had been living and working in Doha, Qatar for over 10 years, was caught with 1.30kg cannabis sativa concealed in a bag of foodstuff.

    Read Also: NDLEA arrests five impersonators in Edo

    Babafemi said NDLEA operatives at the domestic wing of the airport also intercepted a carton containing 72,000 pills of tramadol 250mg with a gross weight of 38.50kg.

    He said this was closely followed with the arrest of Uchegbu Onyebuchi Obi, who brought the consignment to the airport for shipment to Kano.

    The statement said: “Forty-five-year-old Yusuf Yahaya was arrested on Christmas Eve along Lagos-Ilorin expressway with 31.00kg of compressed cannabis in a commercial bus coming from Ibadan, Oyo State and heading for Kebbi State. Preliminary investigation showed that he supplied illicit drugs to bandits in Kebbi and Zamfara states.”

  • NDLEA arrests five impersonators in Edo

    NDLEA arrests five impersonators in Edo

    • Agency intercepts 7.5m tramadol pills, 95,400 codeine bottles
    • 70-year-old grandma, son held for drug trafficking

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it has arrested five persons impersonating its operatives in Edo State.

    Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters Abuja, Femi Babafemi, yesterday said the suspects that were putting on the agency’s operational jackets, were arrested with a fabricated gun and pistol carved from wood.

    “In Edo State, five persons dressed in NDLEA operational jackets were arrested with a fabricated gun and pistol carved from wood following intelligence that they were impersonating as officers of the agency and conducting illegal operations.

    “The suspects include: Sebastine Asekiamhe, 22; Raymond Otaru, 28; Emmanuel Wisdom, 23; Solomon Edogamhe, 27; and Bonaventure Oghibui, 22. While some others in NDLEA jackets escaped, a bottle of codeine-based syrup was found with those arrested,” Babafemi said in a statement.

    He said the agency intercepted millions of tramadol 225mg pills, thousands of codeine syrup bottles and bags of Canadian Loud in consignments arriving the country ahead of the Christmas celebration.

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    According to him, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja Lagos, all tricks employed by the drug syndicates to smuggle into the country 7.5 million pills of tramadol 225mg through the NAHCO import shed of the airport were frustrated by NDLEA officers with the cooperation of men of the Nigeria Customs and other stakeholders.

    He said the consignment, which was taken into custody on December 22 came onboard a Turkish airline with no country of manufacture or origin.

    Babafemi said on December 21, NDLEA operatives raided a house in Mushin area of Lagos where a 70-year-old grandma, Selifat Funke Cole and her son, Babajide Ayorinde Cole, were arrested with 117.900kg of cannabis sativa.

  • NDLEA arrets five persons impersonating operatives in Edo

    NDLEA arrets five persons impersonating operatives in Edo

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it has arrested five persons impersonating its operatives in Edo state.

    Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters Abuja, Femi Babafemi, on Sunday said the suspects, that were putting on the agency’s operational jackets, were arrested with a fabricated gun and pistol carved from wood.

    “In Edo state, five persons dressed in NDLEA operational jackets were arrested with a fabricated gun and pistol carved from wood following intelligence that they were impersonating as officers of the Agency and conducting illegal operations.

    “The suspects include: Sebastine Asekiamhe, 22; Raymond Otaru, 28; Emmanuel Wisdom, 23; Solomon Edogamhe, 27; and Bonaventure Oghibui, 22. While some others in NDLEA jackets escaped, a bottle of codeine-based syrup was found with those arrested,” Babafemi said in a statement.

    He said the Agency intercepted millions of tramadol 225mg pills, thousands of codeine syrup bottles and bags of Canadian Loud in consignments arriving the country ahead of the Christmas celebration.

    According to him, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja Lagos, all tricks employed by the drug syndicates to smuggle into the country 7.5 milion pills of tramadol 225mg through the NAHCO import shed of the airport were frustrated by NDLEA officers with the cooperation of men of the Nigeria Customs and other stakeholders.

    He said the consignment which was taken into custody on Friday 22nd December came onboard a Turkish airline with no country of manufacture or origin. 

    “Apart from being the first time such shipment would be seized on the airline’s flight, it was equally the first of such coming from Hamburg, Germany. The 7.5million tramadol 225mg pills were also specially designed and packaged as tamol-x concealed in 100 big cartons weighing 7,150kg, which arrived the country on 11th December and placed under surveillance until last Friday. Preliminary test of the tablets proved positive to tramadol hydrochloride,” the statement reads.

    He said in the same vein, operatives of the Lagos Command of the Agency on Wednesday 20th December conducted a search operation on two shops marked Chex Mat Global Link Limited at Trade Fair complex in Ojo area of Lagos where 258 cartons of codeine-based cough syrup and eight cartons of codeine tablets were recovered. 

    The cartons, he said, contained 49, 200 bottles of codeine syrup and 46, 200 tablets of same opioid.

    Babafemi said the following day Thursday 21st December, NDLEA operatives raided a house in Mushin area of Lagos where a 70-year-old grandma, Selifat Funke Cole and her son, Babajide Ayorinde Cole were arrested with 117.900kg of cannabis sativa.

    The statement read: “A consignment of spare parts that originated from Asaba, Delta state and going to Malviya Nagar, New Delhi, India was intercepted at the cargo terminal of the Lagos airport on Wednesday 20th December. NDLEA sniffer dogs were deployed to examine the spare parts. The dogs were able to identify the particular shipment containing illicit drug concealment, which a physical examination later confirmed to be cocaine measuring 200grams.

    “Not less than 70 parcels of Canadian Loud, a strong strain of cannabis, with a gross weight of 35kg were seized by operatives of the Tincan Command of NDLEA from a container, marked BEAU 4993525 coming from Toronto via Montreal, Canada. The container contained four used vehicles, including a Honda CRV 2006 model, where bags of the psychoactive substance were concealed.

    “In the FCT Abuja, NDLEA operatives on Monday 18th December intercepted a waybill consignment of 25,000 pills of tramadol, while their counterparts in Anambra arrested two suspects at Onitsha head bridge. Ejiro Emmanuel was driving a bus marked EFR 31 XB conveying 61,100 tramadol capsules; 1, 025 bottles of codeine; 1,350 tablets of rohypnol and 46grams of designer drug, while Daniel Ogbiyoyo was caught in a bus marked SAP 540 YK conveying 55,950 tramadol capsules; 3,117 bottles of codeine; 1,530 tablets of swinol and 1,350 tablets of rohypnol.

    “Operatives in Delta state on Monday 18th December in a joint operation with the military raided the home of a drug kingpin, Chukwuma Steven Eneriku at Okanaro street, Abbi town, where bags of cannabis weighing 353kg were recovered. Same day, NDLEA operatives in Enugu recovered bags of cannabis sativa weighing 435.1kg in a warehouse located at Trans Ekulu, Enugu East LGA.

    “The Commands across the country balanced their drug supply reduction operations with War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, advocacy campaigns to schools, markets, worship centres and communities. Some of these include: WADA sensitisation lecture at Ikuduru LGA, Imo; WADA advocacy visit to Fuji music maestro, Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, Ogun state; WADA advocacy visit to Kwara First Lady and Chairperson Nigeria Governors Wives Forum, Prof. Olufolake Abdulrazak, Ilorin; WADA sensitisation lecture to members of Jama’atu Fitayanul Islam at Aliyu Mustafa College, Yola and WADA advocacy visit to the Oba of Lagos, HRM Oba Rilwan Babatunde Aremu Akiolu.

    “While commending the efforts of the officers and men of MMIA, Lagos, Edo, Anambra, Enugu, Delta, FCT and Tincan Commands of the Agency as well as the K-9 Unit for jobs well done in the past week, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) urged them and their compatriots across the country to remain vigilant and get ready for the next phase of operations in the new year.”

  • NDLEA, military join force to combat drug abuse

    NDLEA, military join force to combat drug abuse

    The military has promised to strengthen its synergy with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), to curtail the menace of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking.

    Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, made the promise when he paid a courtesy visit to the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), at the agency’s national headquarters in Abuja yesterday, a statement by the agency’s director on Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, indicated.

    According to the statement, Marwa commended the Nigerian Armed Forces under the leadership of the CDS for their loyalty, sacrifices and hard work to keep the country safe. 

    He also thanked the military for supporting the agency in terms of logistics and training.

    While emphasising the significance of the partnership between the military and the NDLEA, Marwa said substance abuse is at the root of crime and criminalities across the country. 

    “The criminals rely on drugs to carry out their criminalities. This is why we have been very ferocious in our offensive action against them to cut access and availability of these illicit drugs.

    “As a result, in about three years we have arrested 42, 105 drug offenders, including 46 barons; seized 7, 500 tons of drugs; 1, 057 hectares of cannabis farms destroyed and 8, 350 offenders convicted, while 29,400 drug users have been counselled and rehabilitated within the same period,” he said.

    He urged the Armed Forces to consider constructing central rehabilitation centre and creating rehabilitation facilities in existing military hospitals to attend to the treatment of their personnel that may have issues of substance abuse.

    The CDS hailed Marwa and his management team for the great turn around on the drug war, which has positively changed the negative perception about Nigeria in the international community. 

    He assured Nigerians of the continued support of the Armed Forces to NDLEA in its renewed fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking. 

    He said the agency’s efforts have motivated the military to introduce drug test as a requirement for training and promotion in the armed forces.

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    He said the nexus between drug abuse and insecurity could not be over-emphasised, adding that if the nation was able to curb the scourge of substance abuse, the current security challenges would have been drastically reduced. 

    He said the menace must be tackled holistically, promising to consider the suggestion by the NDLEA boss for the military to have its own central rehabilitation centre.

    He said: “We know the challenges of drugs and how the use of illicit drugs has affected Nigeria’s name. And when Nigeria is mentioned abroad, everybody thinks about drugs, but you and your team have turned that around, at least now, people have seen that sense of sincerity in addressing the drug issue in Nigeria. We know it is not easy, because a lot of people have benefited so much from it and they will do anything to sustain their illicit businesses.

    “I want to assure you that the members of Nigerian Armed Forces are fully behind you. We are proud of you and what you have been achieving and we will continue to support you until the menace of drugs is totally eliminated in the country.”

  • Convicted baron loses VGC mansion, SUV

    Convicted baron loses VGC mansion, SUV

    • NDLEA arrests grandma for drugs in Lagos
    • Recovers South Africa-bound drugs, 2.2kg cocaine in Owerri

    A multi-million naira mansion located at k-5a/2 road 14, Victoria Garden City (VGC) Estate, Lekki, Lagos has been forfeited to the federal government, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has said.

      The mansion, according to NDLEA, was used as clandenstine laboratory for the production of methamphetamine by a convicted drug baron, Chris Nzewi.

    Spokesman for the agency, Femi Babafemi, who made this known in a statement in Abuja yesterday, said Okenwa was arrested along with his associate, Sunny Okeh Ukah, on July 30, 2022 and subsequently arraigned on four-count in charge number FHC/L/527C/2022, at the Federal High Court, Lagos.

    Babafemi said they both pleaded guilty on July 17, 2023, while they were convicted and sentenced to four and three years’ imprisonment each, with an option of fine of four million (N4,000,000) naira and three million (N3,000,000) naira, in addition to community service for four and three weeks each.

    According to the statement, his Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) marked EKY 496 DJ was equally forfeited to the Federal Government.

    Babafemi said: “To further deny him of enjoying the proceeds of his criminal activity, the NDLEA filed a civil forfeiture charge against the building used as clandestine laboratory at the Federal High Court, Lagos, which initially granted an interim forfeiture order that elapsed on December 6 before the final forfeiture on December 7, 2023.”

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    According to the statement, NDLEA operatives in Lagos on Friday, December 15 arrested a 75-year-old grandma, Mrs. Sekinat Soremekun, for dealing in illicit drugs.

    The statement said at the time of her arrest in Oshodi area of Lagos, quantities of cannabis and litres of codeine syrup were recovered from her.

    She claimed her son, Segun, who is now at large, supplied her the illicit substances, which she retailed, Babafemi said.

    The statement said: “In Imo, operatives on patrol along Owerri-Onitsha expressway on December 14 intercepted a way-billed consignment containing cocaine weighing 2.287kg. The shipment coming from Lagos was concealed in cellophane condoms, and heading for Port Harcourt, Rivers State. A suspect, Isaac Okoh, 45, has been arrested.  

    “No fewer than 10 jumbo bags of cannabis weighing 100kg were recovered from the ceiling of a dealer, Ibrahim Yahaya, 35, when his house was raided in Tudun Kofa area of Lafia, Nasarawa State on December 15, while he was also arrested.

    “At the SAHCO export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos, over 1.5 million pills of tramadol 225mg and rohypnol were intercepted in a cargo going to South Africa by NDLEA operatives in collaboration with personnel of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

    “Two suspects: Bada Olanrewaju Akorede and Amusan Olufela Sharafadeen have so far been taken into custody in connection with the consignment, which consists: 1,050,000 pills of tramadol 225mg and 510,000 tablets of rohypnol.”

  • Convicted baron loses VGC mansion, SUV as NDLEA arrests grandma for drugs in Lagos

    Convicted baron loses VGC mansion, SUV as NDLEA arrests grandma for drugs in Lagos

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says a multi-million-naira mansion located at K-5A/2 Road 14, Victoria Garden City (VGC) Estate, Lekki Area of Lagos used as clandestine laboratory for the production of methamphetamine by a convicted drug baron, Okenwa Chris Nzewi, has been forfeited to the federal government following a successful prosecution and conviction in court by the agency.

    The spokesman of the agency, Femi Babafemi, who made this known in a statement in Abuja on Sunday, said Okenwa was arrested along with his associate, Sunny Okeh Ukah on 30th July 2022 and subsequently arraigned on four counts in charge number FHC/L/527C/2022 at the Federal High Court, Lagos. 

    Babafemi said they both pleaded guilty on 17th July, 2023, while they were convicted and sentenced to four and three years imprisonment each with an option of fine of four million (N4,000,000) naira and three million (N3,000,000) naira respectively in addition to community service for four and three weeks each. 

    According to the statement, his Special Utility Vehicle (SUV) marked EKY 496 DJ was equally forfeited to the federal government.

    Babafemi said: “To further deny him of enjoying the proceeds of his criminal activity, the NDLEA filed a civil forfeiture charge against the building used as clandestine laboratory at the Federal High Court Lagos which initially granted an interim forfeiture order that elapsed on 6th December before the final forfeiture on 7th December 2023.”

    According to the statement, NDLEA operatives in Lagos on Friday 15th December arrested a 75-year-old grandma, Mrs. Sekinat Soremekun for dealing in illicit drugs. 

    The statement indicated that at the time of her arrest in Oshodi area of Lagos, quantities of cannabis and litres of codeine syrup were recovered from her. 

    Babafemi said that she claimed her son, Segun who is now at large supplied her the illicit substances which she retailed. 

    The statement read: “In Imo, operatives on patrol along Owerri-Onitsha expressway on Thursday 14th December intercepted a way-billed consignment containing cocaine weighing 2.287kg. The shipment coming from Lagos was concealed in cellophane condoms, and heading to Port Harcourt, Rivers State. A suspect, Isaac Okoh, 45, has already been arrested.  

    “No fewer than 10 jumbo bags of cannabis weighing 100kg were recovered from the ceiling of a dealer, Ibrahim Yahaya, 35, when his house was raided in the Tudun Kofa area of Lafia, Nasarawa State on Friday 15th December while he was also arrested.

    “At the SAHCO export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA Ikeja Lagos, over 1.5 million pills of tramadol 225mg and rohypnol were intercepted in a cargo going to South Africa by NDLEA operatives in collaboration with personnel of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

    “Two suspects: Bada Olanrewaju Akorede, and Amusan Olufela Sharafadeen have so far been taken into custody in connection with the consignment, which consists: 1,050,000 pills of tramadol 225mg and 510,000 tablets of rohypnol.

    At the Federal Capital Territory, FCT Abuja, operatives on Friday 15th December intercepted a consignment of 1, 496 bottles of codeine syrup at A.Y.A area of the city while a suspect, Ozioma Enoja, 31, was arrested in a follow up operation. Another consignment of 400 bottles of the same opioid coming from Port Harcourt, Rivers state was also seized along Abaji-Abuja highway on Saturday 16th December after which a suspect, Bala Ishaq was arrested during a follow up operation at Zuba motor park.

    “While 17 bags of cannabis sativa weighing 195.8kg stored in a bush at Gbanke village, Orhionmwon LGA, Edo state were recovered by NDLEA operatives on Wednesday 13th December, anti-narcotic officers in Ogun state intercepted two suspects: Edun Olowokou and Tunde Elijah at Alamutu roundabout area of Abeokuta with bags of same psychoactive substance weighing 279kg.

    “In Borno state, NDLEA officers on Tuesday 12th December arrested Bukar Ali, 29, and Abacha Alhaji Fantami, 20, with 171kg of cannabis at Ngamdu, Kaga LGA, while three suspects: Jamilu Haruna, 22; Mohammed Hassan, 23; and Aminu Umar, 50, were nabbed with 57kg cannabis on Wednesday 13th December at Tsafe checkpoint, Zamfara state, when they were on their way to Zurumi, a village known as bandits’ enclave.

    At least four suspects: Ezekiel Monday Thompson, 56; Hezekiah Ime, 20; Nsikak Okon Jonah, 39; and Chidi Kalu, 44, were arrested with a total of 121kg cannabis and 5.1grams of methamphetamine in parts of Cross River state on Monday 10th December.

    “The War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, advocacy campaign of the Agency continued in equal measure in schools, markets, worship places and others across the country in the past week. Some of them include: WADA advocacy lecture for students of St. Margaret High School, Ilesa, Osun; students of Federal Government Girls College, Shagamu, Ogun; students of Wesley Model Primary and Secondary School, Badagry, Lagos; students and staff of Government Junior Secondary School and Government Girls Senior Secondary School, Yaryasa, Tudun Wada LGA, Kano state.

    “While commending the officers and men of the MMIA, Lagos, FCT, Imo, Edo, Borno, Ogun, Zamfara, and Cross River Commands for the arrests and seizures of the past week, as well as those of the Directorate of Prosecution and Legal Services for their diligent prosecution of cases in court, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) urged them and their compatriots across all formations of the Agency to intensify the offensive action tempo against drug cartels as the yuletide season approaches while maintaining an equal balance with their drug demand reduction efforts.”

  • NDLEA arrests groom, 25 guests at wedding party

    NDLEA arrests groom, 25 guests at wedding party

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has said its operatives in Katsina State have disrupted a pre-wedding party, which involved a drug abuse competition, in a community called Shola Quarters and arrested 25 youths, who were participating.

    The Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, Femi Babafemi, who made this known in a statement yesterday, said the operatives acted on intelligence.

    He said the operatives swooped on the suspects “while they were busy taking turns abusing all sorts of illicit substances, including a mixture of multiple drugs mixed in a plastic bucket.”

    He said although the groom, Musa Gwandi, who organised the drug party along with his friends, was not at the venue at the time the 25 others were arrested, he was, however, nabbed on December 3, following a manhunt for him.

    Babafemi said operatives intercepted at Akanu Ibiam International Airport (AIIA), Enugu, 12 consignments of cocaine belonging to members of a drug trafficking organisation.

    Read Also: NDLEA storms wedding party in Katsina arrests groom, 25 others over drugs

    He said a businessman, Augustine Justine Emeka, 44, who claims he deals in copper wire, was arrested at the airport upon his arrival from Douala, Cameroon via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Ethiopia airline with the 12 consignments comprising 797 pellets of cocaine weighing 17.6 kilogrammes.

    The NDLEA spokesman said during a preliminary interview, the suspect admitted the cocaine consignments were for delivery to 12 persons in the country.

    “In a related development, NDLEA operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos on December 8 arrested a fleeing suspect, Onyejiuwa Prince Ifeanyi, who has gone into hiding since September 8, following the seizure of a United Kingdom bound 20kg cannabis consignment concealed in tomato paste tins at the SAHCO shed linked to him.

    In the same vein, operatives of the seaports operations of the agency on December 4 arrested a 45-year-old Beninoise, Jamila Fatiu, at Ebute Ero Jetty on Lagos Island with 398 bottles of codeine cough syrup on her way to Seme border via a boat service,” Babafemi said.