The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has launched a series of successful operations across Nigeria, resulting in the arrest of prominent individuals and the seizure of significant quantities of illicit drugs.

Among the key arrests are a Lagos socialite, a filmmaker, and university students involved in drug-related activities.

In Lagos, NDLEA operatives arrested a 61-year-old socialite, Alhaja Aishat Feyisara Ajoke Elediye, on New Year’s Day at her mansion in Okota.

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The arrest followed the interception of a truck allegedly transporting a drug consignment linked to her.

According to NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi, a white Izuzu truck carrying 44 jumbo sacks containing 1,540 kilograms of imported cannabis was intercepted on January 1.

The truck was driven by Abideen Adio, a staff member of Elediye.

“On the surface, Alhaja Ajoke is a businesswoman who imports fabrics and shoes from China, but beneath is a massive illicit drug trade. She is also recognized as the Iyalaje of Blessing Sisters, an influential club of society women in Lagos,” Babafemi said.

Alhaja Ajoke, known in the drug underworld as “Iya Ruka,” has been on the NDLEA’s wanted list for years due to her alleged leadership of a drug cartel operating out of Mushin, Lagos.

In another high-profile case, NDLEA operatives arrested US-trained filmmaker and motivational speaker Emeka Emmanuel Mbadiwe at a hotel in Lekki, Lagos.

His arrest followed the apprehension of his associate, Uzoekwe Ugochukwu James, earlier on December 27, 2024, at a warehouse in Ajao Estate, Ikeja.

James was reportedly sent by Mbadiwe to collect a shipment of 33 parcels of Loud, a potent strain of cannabis weighing 17.30 kilograms.

The consignment, concealed in wooden boxes, had arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, from the United States on December 24, 2024, aboard a Delta Airlines flight.

In Ilorin, Kwara State, NDLEA operatives arrested two young women—24-year-old Khadijat Abdulraheem, a fresh graduate, and 20-year-old Ayomide Morakinyo, a University of Ilorin student.

The suspects were reportedly producing and selling drug-laced cupcakes to students.

During a search of their residence on December 29, 2024, operatives recovered 42 pieces of the drugged cupcakes.

Sodade Sunday Eniola, an ex-convict previously sentenced to four years in prison for drug trafficking, was arrested again for passport racketeering.

NDLEA operatives at the Lagos airport intercepted 52 passports concealed in shoe soles and food items destined for Canada, Russia, and other countries.

Further investigations led to the arrest of three other suspects—Ayinde Saheed Awwal, Salaudeen Afeez Ayode, and Sheriff Adebayo Bamigbade.

The suspects and exhibits were handed over to the Nigerian Immigration Service for further investigation.

In Port Harcourt, Rivers State, NDLEA officers seized 316,800 bottles of codeine-based syrup from two containers during a joint operation with the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies on December 31, 2024.

In Kano, operatives raided a drug den in Dala Local Government Area, recovering 149,090 pills of tramadol and exol-5 on the same day.

The NDLEA also intensified its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign, conducting sensitization programs in markets, worship centers, and schools across the country.

NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) commended the agency’s officers for their dedication to combating drug trafficking and abuse.

“Their operational successes and those of their compatriots across the country, especially their balanced approach to drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts, are well appreciated,” Marwa stated.

A one-day-old baby abandoned along a bush path in the Mpape area of Abuja has been rescued by operatives of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command.

The baby’s mother, who has admitted to the act, is now in police custody.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the FCT, SP Josephine Adeh, confirmed the incident in a statement on Sunday, describing the act as deeply concerning.

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According to Adeh, the baby was discovered near Crush Rock, behind the uncompleted Red Bricks Market in Mpape, on Jan. 3.

The discovery followed a distress call to the Mpape Division’s Juvenile and Women Care Section (JWC).

“The operatives responded swiftly and rescued the baby, taking him to Mpape Primary Health Care Center for medical evaluation. Thankfully, the baby is in stable condition,” Adeh stated.

The mother of the child was later arrested after a tip-off from community members. During interrogation, she confessed to abandoning the baby, citing her inability to care for him after being abandoned by her husband.

While condemning the act, Adeh emphasized the police command’s commitment to safeguarding vulnerable members of society. “The rescued baby will be handed over to the Department of Social Welfare for proper care,” she said.

The mother, meanwhile, will face prosecution under the Child Rights Act (CRA), 2003, specifically sections 14 and 16, upon the completion of investigations.

Adeh commended the Mpape community for their vigilance and cooperation, which ensured the baby’s rescue.

She urged residents across the FCT to remain alert and report suspicious activities or emergencies through the command’s emergency lines:

08061581938

08032003913

08028940883

CRU: 08107314192

PCB: 09022222352

A 23-year-old man, Rabiu Gambo, has been sentenced to 40 days of community service by a Kaduna Chief Magistrates’ Court for stealing a wallet.

Magistrate Ibrahim Emmanuel handed down the sentence on Tuesday after Gambo pleaded guilty to the theft.

The court directed him to sweep the court premises daily for the duration of the punishment.

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In his ruling, Emmanuel highlighted the court’s leniency, noting that the defendant admitted to the crime without wasting the court’s time.

“You must desist from committing crimes after serving this punishment. Let this serve as a deterrent to you and others,” the magistrate said.

The incident occurred on December 27, when Yusuf Mai-shago, a resident of Ungwan Sarki, Kaduna, reported to Malali Police Station that his wallet had been stolen.

According to police prosecutor Inspector Chidi Leo, the wallet contained N50,000, two ATM cards, and other identification documents.

The offence contravenes the Penal Code of Kaduna State, 2017, Leo stated during the proceedings.