…Arrests 4 notorious trans-border traffickers in Adamawa, 51 in Kano; seizes tons of illicit substances in Kebbi, Kwara, FCT
AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM
Sponsored by: H&H
Noo fewer than Two Million Seven Hundred and Fifty (2,750,000) tablets of Tramadol 225mg weighing 1,650 kilograms worth One Billion Three Hundred and Seventy Five Million Naira (N1, 375, 000,000) have been intercepted at the Apapa port in Lagos by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA.
The consignment packed in 55 cartons of Tapentadol and Carisoprodol types of Tramadol was seized during examination of a container number SUDU 7538656 on Saturday 30th July following credible intelligence.
This comes on the heels of similar efforts by anti-narcotic officers at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja that thwarted bids by drug traffickers to export various psychoactive substances to London, UK and Dubai, UAE through the Lagos airport in the past week. At least, five suspects have so far been arrested in connection to the attempts.
On Monday 25th July, a Dubai, UAE bound passenger Ms. Ebhodaghei Gloria Osenemeshen was intercepted during the outward clearance of travellers on Rwanda Air via Kigali to Dubai. Discovered in her luggage were sachets of Tramadol 225mg concealed inside gari, a cassava product packed among other foodstuffs.
She however claimed that the bag was given to her by someone who she passed the night in his house before coming to the airport to help deliver to another person in Dubai.
The following day, Tuesday 26th July, a total of 50 blocks of cannabis sativa with a total weight of 27.1kg concealed inside large quantity of crayfish going to London, UK as part of a consolidated cargo were seized at the SAHCO export shed.
Same day, a Dubai bound female passenger, Emebradu Previous Rachael, was arrested with 1.8kg cannabis packed inside bitter leaf in her luggage while attempting to board Rwanda Air flight to UAE via Kigali.
The mother of one who hails from Oghara in Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State said she was into selling of men’s wears before she decided to travel to Dubai to expand her clothing business. She claimed her ex-boyfriend that lives in Dubai, requested her to bring the bag, which contains the illicit substance along with foodstuff.
In the same vein, operatives at the NAHCO import shed of the airport on Saturday 30th July evacuated cartons of khat leaf with a total weight of 51.50kg.
The consignment had earlier come in from Sierra Leone on Royal Air Moroc flight. In Adamawa state, four notorious drug dealers in Konkol and Belel, two villages at Nigeria – Cameroon border have been arrested for exporting and retailing Tramadol and importing Diazepam into the country.
The suspects include: Kabiru Ahmadu; Eric Emil; Abdulmumini Bapetel and Alphonsus Yusuf.
A total of 59.018kg Tramadol, Diazepam, Exol-5, Cannabis Sativa and two jerry cans of formalin substance (Suck & Die) were recovered from them.
In Kebbi, no less than 4,010 ampoules of pentazocine injection were seized on Friday 29th July when a commercial vehicle with registration number Sokoto RBA 220 XA was intercepted along Yawuri – Kebbi road and two suspects: Muktar Yunusa, 26 and Lukman Aliyu, 30, arrested. Similarly, a raid operation in Oko-Olowo area of Ilorin on Tuesday 26th July led to the arrest of Onaolapo Zakariyau, 50, with 79kg cannabis sativa.
Also in Abuja, no fewer than 90 blocks of cannabis (48.2kg) and 700grams of methamphetamine were intercepted at the Jabi motor park while at least a suspect has been arrested in connection with the drug exhibits.
And in Kano, 51 suspects were arrested in a raid at Sky restaurant in Nasarawa area of the state on Friday 29th July.
The suspects were caught with various quantities of cannabis and codeine based cough syrup.
In his reaction to the arrests and seizures, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) commended the officers and men of Apapa seaport, MMIA, Adamawa, Kebbi, Kwara, Kano, and FCT Commands for their vigilance and commitment.
He urged them and their colleagues across the country not to rest on their oars but remain resolute in pursuit of the Agency’s goal of ridding Nigeria of illicit substances.
…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.”