…Agency intercepts consignments going to Australia, China, Qatar, Ireland, Thailand; seizes 2,293kg substances, cash in Rivers, Ogun, Enugu raids
AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM
Sponsored by: H&H
Two drug traffickers, Elvis Uche Iro, 53 and Uwaezuoke Ikenna Christian, 42, have excreted a total of 165 wraps of cocaine following their arrest at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, NAIA, Abuja by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA for ingesting the illicit drug. They excreted the drugs while under observation in the Agency’s custody.
The 53-year-old Elvis who is a father of four children hails from Abiriba, Ohafia local government area of Abia state. He was arrested on Saturday 19th March upon his arrival on board Ethiopian Airline flight from Addis-Ababa for ingesting 65 pellets of cocaine weighing 1.376kg.
During preliminary interview, he claimed he’s an interior decorator but had to go into drug trafficking because he needed money to start a coffee business, take care f his family and stock his newly acquired shop with curtain materials/accessories in Lagos. He said he would have been paid One Thousand ($1,000) US dollars on successful delivery of the drug in Abuja.
Another passenger on the same flight, 42-year-old Uwaezuoke Ikenna Christian was also arrested on arrival for ingesting 100 pellets of cocaine with a total weight of 2.243kg. Ikenna who hails from Ojoto, Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra state claims he’s a businessman dealing in baby’s wears before venturing into drug trafficking. During preliminary interview, he said he traveled to Addis Ababa on Thursday 17th March to buy the drug for Ten Thousand ($10,000) US dollars and returned on Saturday 19th March when he was arrested.
He said he sold his land in his village and took loans from friends to be able to raise money to buy the drug.
He claimed he had to go into drug to raise money for his business after being duped of Fifteen Thousand ($15,000) US dollars by his friend who lives in China.
In a related development, narcotic officers of the Directorate of Operation and General Investigation, DOGI, have intercepted substantial quantities of Methamphetamine, Cocaine, and Cannabis sativa packaged for export to Australia, China, Qatar, Ireland and Thailand through some courier companies in Lagos.
While 2.9kg of Methamphetamine in packs of black soup and toner machine heading to Australia and Qatar was intercepted; 600grams of Cocaine concealed in school certificates and file folders going to Australia and Thailand were equally seized. No less than 25.5kg cannabis concealed in packs of Dudu Osun soap and tins of palm fruit extracts (banga) heading to China and Ireland was also seized at a courier company in Lagos.
Meanwhile, 2,293.324 kilograms of assorted illicit drugs and Seven Hundred and Ninety One Thousand, One Hundred Naira (N791, 100. 00) were recovered in major raids by operatives in Ogun, Rivers and Enugu state in the past week.
In Rivers, operatives on Thursday 24th March raided the notorious Abuja Water Front of Port Harcourt City following information provided by arrested suspects, on their sources of supply.
A total of three suspects: Larry Samuel; Mark James and Happiness Joseph were arrested at the drug hub with 339.524kg of Cannabis Sativa, Methamphetamine and Tramadol seized and N791, 100.00 cash recovered from them while another drug dealer in the area Uduak Paul Emmanuel remains at large.
In Ogun, a 30-year-old lady, Peace Egidigbo, was arrested with 1863kg of Cannabis Sativa in Mowe, Obafemi/Owode LGA on Wednesday 23rd March, while no less than 150 blocks of cannabis weighing 90.800kg were seized from the cargo compartment of a bus owned by a transport company along Orji river via Onitsha express road, Enugu state.
Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) in his reaction commended the officers and men of NAIA, DOGI, Rivers, Ogun and Enugu Commands of the Agency for their diligence and vigilance. He charged them to always strive to raise the bar in their operational feats.
…As Commissioner of Police reiterates commitment to ensure safety of lives and property
AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM
SPONSORED: H&H
On January 25, 2025, at about 1900hrs, the Area Commander, Sagamu received a distress call from commuters travelling along Sagamu-Ijebu Ode Expressway of an ongoing armed robbery near Ilishan, Ogun State. Acting swiftly, the Area Commander mobilized a crack team of officers to the scene.
Upon arrival, officers discovered that a group of unidentified gunmen had set up a roadblock using an articulated truck, indiscriminately opening fire on unarmed passengers, causing widespread panic. In the ensuing chaos, three commuters – Bolaji Bilesanmi ‘m’, 65yrs Olasunkanmi Idowu ‘m’ 50yrs, and Mohammed Salisu ‘m’ (age unknown) were abducted into the forest from two vehicles (1) Honda Pilot (Registration No. Lagos EKY113GZ) and (2) Honda Accord Car (Registration No. Lagos KJA13QFA).
SWIFT POLICE INTERVENTION
The Commissioner of Police, CP. Lanre Ogunlowo, PhD. directed a covert operation led by the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit. On January 29, 2025, at about 0400hrs, operatives located the kidnappers’ hideout, and upon sighting the police squad, the gang engaged the officers in a fierce gun battle. In the exchange, five (5) kidnappers were fatally injured while others escaped with gunshot wounds.
RECOVERED ITEMS
The following items were recovered from the scene: • One AK-47 rifle • Ten rounds of 5.6mm calibre ammunition • ₦5.2 million (suspected to be proceeds of crime) • Three mobile phones
The three (3) kidnapped victims regained their freedom unhurt. Efforts are ongoing to arrest injured members of the syndicate. The Commissioner of Police strongly warns against criminal activities, particularly among young individuals seeking financial gain through high-profile crimes.
He reiterates the Command’s unwavering commitment to an aggressive crackdown on criminals preying on innocent citizens in Ogun state.
So-Safe Corps Apprehends Ex-Convict with Human Skull in Ogun
AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM
SPONSORED BY: H&H
The Ogun State Community, Social Orientation, and Safety Corps (So-Safe Corps) has apprehended a middle-aged man at a tomb in Kere, Obada-Oko, Abeokuta, Ogun State, while he was allegedly attempting to exhume a human skull.
This was disclosed in a press statement issued by the Commander of So-Safe Corps, Commander (Dr.) Soji Ganzallo, through the office of the Director of Information and Public Relations of the Corps, Assistant Commander Moruf Yusuf.
According to the statement, at about 2:35 a.m. on January 21, 2025, officers of the So-Safe Corps on routine patrol observed suspicious activity on a parcel of land behind a church. The suspect, identified as 54-year-old Adelani Oriyomi, was spotted trying to hide. Once the coast seemed clear, he resumed digging the tomb to allegedly retrieve a human skull. However, the officers returned to the scene, apprehending him before he could escape.
Ganzallo revealed that the suspect, a resident of Kere, Obada-Oko in Ewekoro Local Government Area, confessed to the crime during interrogation. Oriyomi admitted that on January 18, 2025, he had exhumed a skull from a tomb on a plot of land behind his residence. He confessed that he was now attempting to retrieve another skull to complete the number required for a money ritual preparation known as Osole. Oriyomi further disclosed that he had hidden the first skull in his room.
The suspect also confessed to being a seasoned offender, having sold nearly ten skulls in the past. He revealed that previous arrests for similar offenses committed at Ado-Odo led to two years of imprisonment and a further six years and nine months at the Oba Correctional Center following another conviction in Obada-Oko.
Commander Ganzallo confirmed that the suspect and the recovered exhibit—a fully dried human skull—have been handed over to the Nigeria Police Force, Obada Divisional Headquarters, for further investigation and possible prosecution.
In his remarks, Ganzallo urged community leaders to thoroughly screen tenants and visitors to prevent harboring undesirable individuals. He emphasized that such vigilance could ensure 70% of home security, with the remaining 30% relying on alertness to external threats.
SANWO-OLU COMMISERATES WITH JIGAWA GOVERNOR, VICTIMS FAMILIES OVER FUEL EXPLOSION TRAGEDY
AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM
SPONSORED BY: H&H
The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has expressed his heartfelt condolences to the families of those who died in the unfortunate fire incident in Majiya town, in the Taura Local Government Area of Jigawa State, following the explosion of a petrol-laden tanker.
Sanwo-Olu
The Governor also sent a note of sympathy to his colleague, Governor Umar Namadi, friends and associates of the victims, as well as the people and Government of Jigawa State.
Governor Sanwo-Olu said the unfortunate incident has left yet another scar in the minds of millions of Nigerians, adding that no nation or people could afford to experience this kind of tragedy without its effect on the social and psychological wellbeing of the people.
Sanwo-Olu, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, offered prayers for the victims and their families, Governor Umar Namadi, and the citizens of Jigawa over the tragic loss of their fellow residents.
He said, “It is with heavy heart that I have read and followed the development of the disaster that happened yesterday in Majiya town, in the Taura Local Government Area of Jigawa State, following the explosion of a petrol-laden tanker that claimed over 153 persons.
“Certainly, this unfortunate incident is beyond what we can reasonably imagine, going by what I have seen in the media. The devastating effects can only be imagined.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with my brother, Governor Umar Namadi, the Government and the people of Jigawa State over this very sad incident.
“I pray for the repose of the deceased and ask that the Almighty Allah grant the families of the victims the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”