Metro

NDLEA Detains Indian Businessman Over 134,700 Bottles of Codeine Smuggled

Published

3 years ago

February 13, 2022

…Intercepts 29kg Heroin, Meth, Khat going to US, UK, Dubai at Lagos airport, courier firms
AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

Sponsored BY: H&H

An Indian businessman, Vyapak Nutal has been taken into custody for interrogation by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, over the smuggling of 134,700 bottles of Codeine syrup into the country through the land border between Nigeria and Niger Republic in Sokoto state.

The suspect had loaded the consignment into trucks in Cotonou, Benin Republic and drove through the land borders via Niger Republic before entering Sokoto state at the Illela border.

Settled in a hotel in Sokoto state, credible intelligence reveals that Nutal began to look for buyers for the controlled drug. While operatives were on his trail, officers of the Department of State Security were able to apprehend him and swiftly handed him over to NDLEA on Wednesday 10th February 2022.

In a related development, attempts by drug traffickers to export large quantities of Heroin, Methamphetamine, Khat, Tramadol and Cannabis through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA as well as three courier companies in Lagos have been frustrated by narcotic officers who intercepted the illicit consignments.

At the Lagos airport, operatives on Tuesday 8th Feb arrested one Felix Rotimi Eshemokhai with 1.75kg heroin while trying to board Royal Air Maroc to Casablanca, Morocco while another trafficker, Okafor Emmanuel Onuzuruike was also nabbed same day during his bid to travel on RwandAir to Dubai with 2.2kg of Cannabis concealed in food stuff.

Not less than 25 kilograms of Methamphetamine, Tramadol, Cannabis and Khat concealed in motor parts, MP3 player, speaker and fabrics heading to USA, UK, Australia, Dubai and Madagascar were seized at three major courier companies in Lagos.

In Gombe state, 31,000 capsules of Tramadol were recovered from a truck that left Onitsha, Anambra state for Mubi, Adamawa state and the owner, Ibrahim Tukur Bage, arrested on Friday 11th Feb, while attempting to escape.

This followed the arrest of Aliu Salami, 43, with 143.9kg cannabis at Oke-Ata, Abeokuta South LGA, Ogun state on Wednesday 9th Feb.

In the same vein, not even a bunch of talisman (charms) used by a trans-border drug dealer, Shu’aibu Salisu could save him and his gang as their consignment of 578kg of Cannabis meant for Niger Republic was intercepted in Kwara state on 8th Feb when two persons: Gambo Lawal and Ibrahim Mohammed were arrested while conveying the drug to someone in Charanchi, Katsina State.

A follow up operation led to the arrest of Salisu and two others; Sani Musa and Auwal Amina the day after at different locations within Kaita LGA, Katsina.

In Benue state, a fake security agent, Mr. Dennis Emadiong was on Saturday 12th Feb arrested at NDLEA check point, Alaide, Benue with 239grams of cannabis and 10 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition while on his way from Akwa Ibom to Maiduguri, Borno state. Another suspect, Stephen Folorunsho was also nabbed during a routine Stop and Search operation, along Apir-Makurdi road with 147 compressed blocks of cannabis weighing 130kg stuffed inside bales of used clothes popularly called Okrika on his way to Gombe State.

In Adamawa state, no fewer than 22,700 tablets of Tramadol and Exol-5 were seized in Numan area of the state from two drug dealers: Mmaduabuchibeya Kingsley and Onyeke Kenneth in separate raids on Thursday 10th February.

While commending the officers and men of Sokoto, Gombe, Ogun, Kwara, Adamawa, Benue, MMIA Commands as well as those of the Directorate of Operation and General Investigation, DOGI, for their resilience in the various drug supply reduction efforts, he charged them and their compatriots across other commands to remain on the offensive against the cartels while he hailed the synergy and support from other security agencies.

Metro

Cult war in Lagos: Assembly summons police boss, others

Published

2 weeks ago

June 16, 2025

august24admin

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H

The Lagos State House of Assembly has summoned the State Commissioner of Police, Jimoh Moshood, and three other key officials following renewed cult clashes and violence in the Mushin area and other parts of the State.

The cult-related clashes have led to the loss of innocent lives.

Also summoned are the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Bolaji Robert, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Ope George, and the Commissioner for Basic Education, Tolani Ali-Balogun.

The motion to this effect was moved during Monday’s plenary by Hon. Olayinka Kazeem, representing Mushin Constituency II, under Matters of Urgent Public Importance.

According to Kazeem, there has been a disturbing surge in cult-related violence and youth unrest in his constituency, with some underage youths now involved in cult clashes, endangering lives and properties.

“This issue is heartbreaking to both the people and the families of these children. I urge the Assembly to mandate security agencies to intensify the crackdown on cultism and enforce strict drug control,” Kazeem said.

He also called for urgent reorientation and intervention programmes to redirect young people away from violence.

Hon. Nureni Akinsanya of Mushin Constituency I supported the motion, stating that gangs armed with dangerous weapons have taken over several streets in the area, including Abiodun and Olusoga streets.

Hon. Rasheed Shabi revealed that lawmakers are often pressured to bail out arrested cultists but suggested that such individuals should now be allowed to face the full consequences of their actions.

Hon. Bonu Solomon (Badagry I) called for stiffer penalties for offenders, warning against excessive sympathy for those involved in cultism.

On his part, Hon. Femi Saheed (Kosofe) identified the abuse of sachet alcohol as a key contributor to youth violence.

The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa agreed that the issue is widespread across Lagos State.

While acknowledging the strain on prison facilities, he emphasized the need for alternative solutions such as youth engagement through sports — a programme the House had previously budgeted for.

“The local government must take responsibility for these miscreants, many of whom are now living under bridges. We must also intensify efforts to engage the youths meaningfully,” Obasa said.

The Speaker concluded by affirming that the Commissioner of Police and the other concerned commissioners would be summoned to appear before the House for further deliberation, after which the Assembly will take a concrete position.