Metro

51.90kg heroin: NDLEA nabs 3 wanted kingpins, intercepts Oman-bound drug consignment(PHOTOS)

Published

5 months ago

April 21, 2024

. Recovers 25,202kg cannabis in Ondo, Bayelsa; 1,250,000 pills of opioids in Adamawa

Over two months after they were declared wanted, operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have arrested three members of an organized criminal organization which specializes in illicit drug trafficking across Nigeria, South Africa, Mozambique, Europe and America following the recent seizure of the single largest consignment of heroin at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA Ikeja Lagos.

A total of 51.90 kilograms of heroin had been recovered from members of the drug cartel in an operation that began 10th February 2024 at the SAHCO Import Shed of the airport’s Cargo Terminal. The consignment was concealed in 15 cartons of 2300-watt metal cutting machines, with no less than 45 blocks of the illicit substance weighing 49.70kg recovered from the equipment, while additional 2.2kg was seized at the syndicate’s warehouse in Ayobo area of Lagos.

While the Agency has secured interim forfeiture court order on hotel, mansions, vehicles and funds traced to members of the syndicate after arresting four of them, a manhunt was also launched for others who went underground. The effort however paid off on Friday 19th April when two of the wanted kingpins: Onyinyechi Irene Igbokwuputa and Frankline Uzochukwu were arrested in Lagos and Awka, Anambra state respectively. Another wanted member of the syndicate, Osita Emmanuel Obinna was equally nabbed in Lagos.
In the same vein, the attempt by a suspect, Iheakara Ifeanyichukwu Festus to export a drug consignment through the terminal 2 of the Lagos airport to Muscat, Oman via Ethiopian airline flight on Thursday 18th April was thwarted by NDLEA officers. When his luggage was searched, 20 big parcels of cannabis weighing 9.80kg were discovered concealed in his bag. In his statement, the suspect who lives in Muscat, Oman and returned to Nigeria in 1st April, confessed he was hired to courier the drug with an agreement to get paid N1,200,000 upon successful delivery in Oman.

In Adamawa state, NDLEA operatives on Saturday 20th April intercepted a Peugeot car driven by Dahiru Mohammed at Girei on his way to Mubi with 1,250,000 pills of opioids weighing 450kg. The operatives had earlier intercepted along Ngurore -Yola road a J5 bus marked AAA790XV loaded with motor spare parts from Onitsha, Anambra State, with consignments of Codeine Syrup and Tramadol concealed in-between the motor parts. A follow up operation led to the arrest of the recipient, Jairus Nwanchor at Jambutu motor park .
Three suspects: Beriakuma Vivian Chinrdu, 40; Okpor Isaac, 68, and Daniel Onyeachom, 42, were on Saturday 20th April arrested at Amarata,Yenagoa, Bayelsa state in connection with the seizure of 69 compressed blocks of cannabis weighing 36kg and concealed in a false compartment of a Toyota Picnic car marked MUS 711 DH they were travelling in. This is even as NDLEA operatives in Imo state on Thursday 18th April arrested Kingsley Omeje, 41, at Amajeke, Owerri while he was taking delivery of 49 bottles of codeine syrup he ordered.

In Ondo state, NDLEA operatives raided the Oloro camp, Ogbese, Akure North LGA where they arrested Linus Odogwu, 50, and destroyed a total of 25,000 kilograms of cannabis on 10 hectares of farmland while they recovered 89.5kg of same substance. Three other suspects: David Obungete Ekepenyoung, 22; Oluwaseun Folorunso,23; and Rabiu Musa, 32, were nabbed in other parts of the state in connection to different seizures totaling 77kg.
In the same vein, Commands across the country intensified their War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, advocacy lectures. These include: WADA sensitisation lecture to students and staff of St. Dominick High School, Makurdi, Benue state; students and staff of Federal Polytechnic, Kazaure, Jigawa state; traders at timber market, Umuokpo, Awka, Anambra and WADA advocacy visit to Methodist Church (Bishop Court) Abeokuta, Ogun state, among others.

While commending the officers and men of the MMIA, Adamawa, Bayelsa, Ondo and Imo Commands of the Agency for their balanced efforts in the past week, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) equally applauded their counterparts across the country for intensifying their WADA advocacy lectures thus creating parity between their drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction activities.

Metro

Angry citizens set Governor Petrol Station ablaze

Published

6 hours ago

September 20, 2024

Naijablitznews

By Mario Deepromoter

A petrol station owned by Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah, Pinnacle Oil, has been set ablaze.

The incident occurred at the fuel station located along Agbani Road, directly opposite Roban Stores.

Details of the incident are still sketchy, but sources reveal that hoodlums, whose identities are yet to be known, carried out the arson attack.

As the founder and CEO of Pinnacle Oil and Gas Ltd., Governor Mbah has been a known figure in the oil and gas industry.

His company has completed the development of Single Point Monitoring (SPM) and Conventional Buoy Mooring (CBM) facilities in the Lekki Free Trade Zone.

This incident raises concerns about the safety and security of businesses and infrastructure in Enugu State. The motives behind the attack are still unclear, and an investigation is likely underway to determine the perpetrators and their intentions.

Metro

Police confirm alleged ritual, kidnap incident at Top View hotel Abuja

Published

16 hours ago

September 20, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Police confirmed a young man identified as Alex on Thursday allegedly kidnapped a young lady and kept her in the popular Top View Hotel, Wuse, Abuja.

According to a trending video on social media, Alex was seen with the lady in a room with management of the hotel and an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence (NSCDC) where he was arrested.

While confirming the incident, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh in a statement on Thursday night accused NSCDC of not handing over the suspect to the police for further investigation.

Adeh said: “The FCT police command is aware of the video footage making the rounds about a lady who was criminally confined in Top view hotel, Wuse, Abuja on 17th September, 2024 by an alleged Internet fraudster allegedly for money ritual.

“Findings revealed that the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have taken the suspect into custody and are yet to hand over to the police for diligent investigation.

“The FCT police command for all intent and purposes awaits the NSCDC to hand over all parties for commencement of diligent and discreet investigation.

“Further development will be communicated in due course”.

Metro

SAD! 25 k!lled during Eid-El-Maulud festivities in Kaduna road accident

Published

3 days ago

September 17, 2024

Naijablitznews

By Mario Deepromoter

The death toll from the auto crash that occurred along Saminaka in Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State on Sunday has risen to 25.

The Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps in Kaduna State, Kabiru Nadabo, confirmed the increase in fatalities to PUNCH Metro on Monday.

“Ten more victims died due to injuries sustained in the crash, bringing the total number of deceased to 25 out of the 63 people involved,” Nadabo said.

PUNCH Metro reports that the tragic incident occurred around 1:00 pm on Sunday when a J5 bus carrying 63 children, mostly youngsters traveling to celebrate Eld El Maulud, collided with an oncoming articulated vehicle.

The Sector Commander, FRSC, in Kaduna State, Nadabo, had said, “The driver of the J5 bus lost control due to over speeding, resulting in the fatal crash. Fifteen children died instantly, while 48 others sustained varying degrees of injuries.”

However, Nadabo added that due to the nature of the injuries sustained during the crash, 10 more victims died bringing the toll number of fatalities to 25.

“Sadly, at about 18:45 hrs today(16/9/2024), the command received an update that 10 more victims had died due to injuries sustained. This is truly sad and tragic. The total amount of the deceased has risen to 25 people out of the 63 people involved.

“I want to express the Corps’ profound condolences to the families of all those who have lost their dear ones in this fatal accident. I also want to reiterate the FRSC stance and position on overloading of humans or goods and excess speeding. In this case, both contributed to the fatal calamities witnessed.

“These are avoidable, hence our resolve to continuously engage motorists on safety ethics and general Road behaviour. The FRSC Kaduna is poised to ensure the overall safety of motorists in Kaduna and beyond,” the Sector Commander added.

Nadabo emphasised the importance of road safety measures, urging drivers to exercise caution and adhere to speed limits to prevent such tragedies.

“This accident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of reckless driving. We urge drivers to exercise caution and adhere to speed limits to prevent such tragedies.”

An eyewitness described the scene as chaotic, saying, “I saw the bus swerve out of control and collide with the articulated vehicle.”

“It was a horrific sight, and my heart goes out to the families of the victims,” he added.

Nadabo said due to the nature of the accident and the injuries sustained, some of the victims were moved to the ABU Teaching Hospital at Shika, University of Jos Teaching Hospital and Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital respectively for proper and comprehensive medical attention.

He also said the FRSC had launched an investigation into the incident.

“This accident is a wake-up call for all drivers to prioritise road safety,” Nadabo said.

“We will continue to educate drivers on the importance of safe driving practices.”

As the families of the victims mourn their loved ones, the nation is reminded of the need for vigilance on the roads.

“We must learn from this tragedy and work towards preventing such incidents in the future,” Nadabo emphasised.

“Our thoughts are with the families of the victims during this difficult time,” Nadabo said.