Crime
NDLEA Unveils Multiple Arrests, Massive Drug Hauls Nationwide
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has disclosed a series of multiple arrests and substantial drug hauls, spanning the entirety of the nation over the week.
In Abuja, A 40-year-old businessman, Sherif Egbo, was apprehended by National Drug Law Enforcement Agency operatives at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
Attempting to board an Air France flight to Paris, Egbo was discovered to have ingested illicit drugs during a body scan on Saturday, October 14. NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi confirmed the arrest of the Spain-based individual.
In a weekly communique released on Sunday, NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi stated that “Egbo was subsequently placed under observation at the agency’s exhibit recovery room where he excreted 93 pellets of heroin weighing 2.222 kilogrammes. In his statement, the suspect claimed he works at a chicken hatchery farm in Madrid, Spain, and also in the drug trafficking business,”
In additional details, the communique disclosed that on Monday, October 16, NDLEA operatives at the NAHCO imports shed of Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja Lagos, intercepted a consignment. The seizure included 10 cartons holding 500,000 pills of tramadol 225mg, falsely branded as tapentadol.
The cargo, which was shipped from India through Qatar Airways with airwaybill number MAWB 319-01227236 was purported to be a transit cargo to Monrovia, Liberia.
However, the lid was blown open through partnership and real-time intelligence-sharing mechanisms between NDLEA and its Liberian counterpart.
Also, an attempt by an intending passenger, Ngene Chinecherem, to Muscat, Oman on Qatar Airways, to export 11.100kgs of skunk and 600grams of tramadol concealed in foodstuffs through the Lagos airport was thwarted by NDLEA officers who arrested him and seized the illicit substances.
In a separate operation, NDLEA officers from the Directorate of Operations and General Investigations (DOGI), deployed to courier companies, made significant interceptions on Sunday, October 15.
They discovered 1kg of methamphetamine concealed in containers of body cream destined for New Zealand. Additionally, another consignment of 2.5kgs of cocaine and phenacetin was found hidden in the walls of a carton intended for Saudi Arabia.
Further seizures occurred on Wednesday, October 18, at a different courier company in Lagos. NDLEA made two discoveries: 112 grams of Dimethyl Sulfone hidden in the hollow of a motor driving shaft en route to New Zealand, and 583 grams of Cocaine and phenacetin concealed in a bottle of body cream destined for Saudi Arabia.
In Imo state on Sunday, October 15, operatives intercepted a Mercedes Benz container truck with the plate number ABN 418 YN, discovered parked in an isolated area along the Owerri-Onitsha expressway. Upon searching the abandoned truck, they uncovered 168 bags of skunk, weighing a total of 1,854 kilograms.
During the week, a total of 1,381.3kgs of the same substance were seized in Edo state through four interdiction operations in various locations: Ekpon community, Igueben LGA; Iguiye forest in Ovia North East LGA; Iruekpen, Ndokwa West (resulting in the arrest of Monday Nwocha); and in Egwalor village in Onwude LGA (leading to the arrest of Obune Prince and Chika Obi). In the latter operation, their Audi 80 salon car with the plate number BEN 406 CL, loaded with cannabis sativa, was also recovered.
In Kano state, on Saturday, October 14, at Gadar Tamburawa area, an ex-convict, Aminu Suleiman, 46, along with Haruna Abdurrahaman, 41, and Ojo Esezobor, 34, were arrested. The NDLEA recovered 106kgs of cannabis from them. Notably, Aminu had been previously arrested with 22kgs of cannabis on June 3, 2022, leading to his conviction on November 24, 2022.
In another development, at Gadar Tamburawa area of Kano on Monday, October 16, four additional suspects—Inusa Ali, Yahaya Musa, Abba Audu, Ali Abubakar, and Bunu Kyari—were apprehended for their involvement in dealing 75.3kgs of skunk.
Simultaneously, operatives of the Zone J Command of the NDLEA discovered and seized 478kgs of cannabis in a forest in Ikere Ekiti on Friday, October 20.
In a separate operation, the Ondo state command recovered a total of 928kgs of the same substance in a bush near Shagari market along Ifon-Owo express road and Ibola camp, Ipele forest.
Moving to Borno state, on Saturday, October 21, a suspect named Sani Mohammed, 31, was arrested with 182kgs of cannabis at Njimtilo, along the Maiduguri–Damaturu road.
Crime
Policeman Feared Dead As Gunmen Attack Checkpoint In Abia
A police officer is reportedly dead and another injured following an attack by unknown gunmen on a police checkpoint in the Ohafia area of Abia State.
The incident, which occurred on Wednesday at Ugwu Abba Asaga, has sparked concerns over the rising wave of insecurity in the region.
The Abia State Police Command has yet to release an official statement regarding the attack. However, when contacted, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Maureen Chinaka, assured reporters that she would provide updates, but no further details had been shared as of the time of this report.
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This incident is the latest in a series of violent attacks in Abia State. On Monday, the Abia State government accused unnamed politicians and external parties of fueling kidnappings and violence targeting security personnel and civilians since May 2024. In a statement signed by Ferdinand Ekeoma, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, the government vowed to hold the perpetrators accountable.
“The promoters of violence and insecurity in the state will pay a heavy price,” the statement read.
However, John Okiyi Kalu, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former Commissioner for Trade and Investment, criticized the government’s position. He argued that insecurity in the state should not be politicized but rather addressed through actionable measures.
The attack has heightened tensions in the state, with citizens calling for swift action to restore peace and ensure the safety of residents and security personnel alike.
Crime
Ebonyi Police Crackdown Leaves Labourer Dead, Three Others Injured
A yet-to-be-identified labourer was reportedly shot dead on Wednesday, while three others sustained critical injuries, during an altercation involving the Crack Squad of the Ebonyi State Police Command at Ugwuechara Junction in Abakaliki.
Witnesses say the incident began when members of the Crack Squad stopped a motorcycle rider, accusing him of fraud and attempting to seize his motorcycle.
The rider reportedly identified himself as a member of the military but was allegedly assaulted by the operatives.
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An eyewitness recounted, “As the policemen removed his cap and started hitting him with their guns, the bike man tried to resist them, possibly to snatch one of their guns.
“One of the team opened fire, which killed one of the labour seekers, who usually gather at the junction to look for daily jobs. Three persons were wounded and were rushed to the hospital.”
The deceased, a labourer waiting for work at the junction, was struck by the gunfire. Among the injured are a young apprentice at a barbershop and a female passer-by.
Witnesses say the police operatives took the body of the deceased and the motorcycle rider to their station after the incident.
Efforts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer in Ebonyi, Joshua Ukandu, were unsuccessful as he did not respond to calls or messages.
However, Obinna Mbam, the Special Assistant on Internal Security to Governor Francis Nwifuru, confirmed the incident.
“Normalcy has returned to the area,” Mr. Mbam said. “The state government will ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice.”
The incident has sparked outrage among residents of Ebonyi State, who have raised concerns about the increasing cases of police brutality, extortion, and indiscriminate arrests.
Many residents also expressed dissatisfaction with the Crack Squad, which was established as part of police reforms following the disbandment of the controversial Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in 2020.
Crime
IGP Files Fraud Charges Against Ex-Senator, Two Others Over N400m Scam
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has filed criminal charges against former Nigerian senator Andy Uba and two others, accusing them of defrauding a complainant, George Uboh, of N400 million.
The charges, which include two counts, were brought before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Uba, who represented Anambra South in the Senate from 2011 to 2019, along with Crystal Uba and Benjamin Etu, is alleged to have conspired with Hajiya Fatima, who remains at large, to defraud Uboh in 2022.
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According to the charges, the accused individuals falsely claimed they could secure the appointment of the managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for anyone who could pay N400 million.
“The accused persons collected the N400 million from Mr. Uboh and converted it into their personal use,” the police said, describing the actions as a violation of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offenses Act of 2006.
The police also revealed that six witnesses would testify against the accused parties.
The case was officially filed on 10 October 2023 by Abdulrashid Sidi from the Police Legal/Prosecution Section.
During a hearing on 13 November, the prosecution informed the court that the defendants had been evading the service of court documents despite being granted administrative bail.
“The defendants obtained a fundamental rights enforcement order, which had prevented the police from bringing them to court,” said M.L. Anthony, a lawyer for the prosecution.
“It was only after the order was lifted that the defendants were finally charged before the judge.”
The trial, presided over by Justice Inyang Ekwo, was adjourned until 18 February 2025.
This delay allows time for the defendants to appear in court and take their plea, following the prosecution’s efforts to ensure they are properly served with legal documents.