Crime
NDLEA seizes N7.3bn codeine shipments, two passengers excrete 150 wraps of drugs in Lagos
…Arrests 60 at Abuja drug party, destroys 18,632kg cannabis in Edo Forest
By Adeyanju Esther
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted 6,125 cartons of codeine syrup containing 1,050,000 bottles of the opioid, worth over N7.35 billion, at the Port Harcourt Ports Complex in Onne, Rivers State.
The seizure, made from six containers on Saturday, June 29, 2024, was the third such interception in the past four weeks.
This followed credible intelligence and diligent tracking by a special operations unit of the NDLEA, in partnership with the Port Harcourt Ports Command and other security agencies, including the Customs Service, for a 100% joint examination of the targeted containers.
Meanwhile, NDLEA officers at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Ikeja, Lagos, arrested two passengers travelling to Doha on a Qatar Airways flight on Friday, June 21, 2024.
The suspects, Aikhomoun Daniel (alias Oladapo Olanrewaju) and Ayigoro Waheed Omobolaji, were taken into custody after testing positive for ingesting illicit substances.
Daniel excreted 90 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.022 kg in six excretions, while Ayigoro discharged 60 wraps weighing 662 grams in five egestions. Further investigation revealed that Daniel had stolen the identity of his late uncle, who was once based in Germany, to obtain a Schengen visa.
On June 28, 2024, NDLEA operatives recovered 40.32 kg of Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, from a black Toyota Tacoma truck along the Lekki-Ikoyi road. The driver abandoned the vehicle after noticing he was being trailed by the operatives.
In Abuja, NDLEA operatives disrupted a drug party dubbed “Go Hard or Go Home. Pick Your Poison,” arresting 60 suspects (25 males and 35 females) at an apartment in Sun City Estate on the night of June 28, 2024.
The raid, which followed credible intelligence, led to the arrest of the organiser, Stanley Ikechukwu. Six suspects were found in possession of ecstasy and cannabis.
NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) directed the unconditional release of 20 suspects who tested negative for drugs, while 33 others who tested positive were released on bail and ordered to report for treatment and counselling.
In Edo State, four suspects were arrested in the deep forest of Ugun, Igueben LGA, on June 29, 2024, during an operation that destroyed 18,632.22 kilograms of cannabis on 7.452888 hectares of farmland.
Across the country, NDLEA continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization activities in schools, worship centres, workplaces, and communities.
These included lectures at First Technical University in Ibadan, Government Day Secondary School in Yola, Ezeike High School in Nibo, and Mount Zion Anglican Church in Akure. An advocacy visit was also made to the palace of the Oba of Yoruba in Kano, Dr. Murtala Alimi Otitese.
Commending the officers for their efforts, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) emphasised the NDLEA’s commitment to staying ahead of drug cartels and thwarting their trafficking attempts.
He encouraged his team to maintain their balanced approach to drug control and continue collaborating with other stakeholders and partners to expose and thwart the tricks of drug traffickers.
Amos Daniel, a newly employed driver, was arrested after stealing a car on his first day of work and then going to church to give a testimony about his ‘blessings.’
The incident was confirmed by the Lagos State Police Command on Tuesday.
Daniel, a father of four, confessed to the crime during a police parade led by the Public Relations Officer of the command, Benjamin Hundeyin, who shared details of the case on X (formerly Twitter).
According to Hundeyin, Daniel’s theft was discovered shortly after he absconded with the vehicle. Rather than laying low, Daniel went to his local church, where he shared a testimony about his newfound fortune. His actions quickly drew attention, leading to his arrest.
Hundeyin revealed that Daniel was paraded alongside six other suspects involved in various crimes. The incident has sparked conversations about the audacity and unusual behaviour of the perpetrator.
The police have assured the public that they are continuing their investigations and will ensure that justice is served. The owner of the stolen vehicle has been notified, and efforts are being made to recover the car.
Hundeyin, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, emphasised the importance of thorough vetting when hiring employees, especially those in positions of trust such as drivers. He also commended the swift action of the police in apprehending Daniel and preventing further criminal activities.
New driver steals car, gives testimony in Church
Amos Daniel, a newly employed driver, was arrested after stealing a car on his first day of work and then going to church to give a testimony about his ‘blessings.’
The incident was confirmed by the Lagos State Police Command on Tuesday.
Daniel, a father of four, confessed to the crime during a police parade led by the Public Relations Officer of the command, Benjamin Hundeyin, who shared details of the case on X (formerly Twitter).
According to Hundeyin, Daniel’s theft was discovered shortly after he absconded with the vehicle. Rather than laying low, Daniel went to his local church, where he shared a testimony about his newfound fortune. His actions quickly drew attention, leading to his arrest.
Hundeyin revealed that Daniel was paraded alongside six other suspects involved in various crimes. The incident has sparked conversations about the audacity and unusual behaviour of the perpetrator.
The police have assured the public that they are continuing their investigations and will ensure that justice is served. The owner of the stolen vehicle has been notified, and efforts are being made to recover the car.
Hundeyin, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, emphasised the importance of thorough vetting when hiring employees, especially those in positions of trust such as drivers. He also commended the swift action of the police in apprehending Daniel and preventing further criminal activities.
It was a hard truth that needed to be told, because it changed the atmosphere, but not for good as one person was reportedly killed and over10 critically injured.
Without any warning or provocation, over hundred boys armed with cutlasses, sticks and AK47 rifles, from suburbs and communities such as: Odogbolu, Ososa, Idoha, Ikenne, Ijebu-Imushin, Sagamu and Imodi unleashed mayhem as they disturbed the peace of the area. The rioters ignited the violence from the night before the Eld adha celebration.
The hoodlums were said to be looking for one Akeem Adesanya dead or alive. Akeem Adesanya, Bashiru Suraju Sanni, Bayo Adetunde and Hamzat Mammne were the alleged bisexual individuals being hunted by the hoodlums.
They claimed that many young men all around the town were missing and the story behind their disappearance is the fast spreading tale of strange immoral behaviour and characters (homosexuality). The rampaging youths believe that religiously, culturally and naturally Nigerians would not allow, condone or accept such highly unscrupulous behaviours.
Homes and families of the alleged victims were attacked over failure to produce them.
They accosted a young woman, mother of two, begged for her life and confessed that she has not set her eyes or know the whereabouts of Akeem Adesanya, her baby father for the past two years.
The uprising was subdued by the community elders in order to keep and maintain the peace in the community.
The Nigeria Customs Service said its operatives intercepted nine containers carrying offensive items including arms, ammunition, Illicit drugs and second-hand clothes worth N13.9 billion.
The Comptroller-General, NCS, Adewale Adeniyi disclosed this on Monday while addressing journalists in Onne Port, Rivers State.
Adeniyi said one of the containers which originated from Turkey, based on the number of risk factors associated with the importation, became a subject of interest to the service.
Giving details of the container, the CG said, “We have followed its sail across continents and we’ve benefitted immensely from credible information through our collaboration with intelligence communities both at local, national and international levels,”
According to him, the importer tried to circumvent the procedure through the outlet of a private-bonded terminal.
“On Friday 21st of June 2024, the auspicious container was subjected to a thorough physical examination. Inside the container were 844 units of assorted riffles and 12,500 pieces of life ammunition,” which Adeniyi said were “concealed with various items like doors, furniture fittings and leather bags.”
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New driver steals car, gives testimony in Church
