Crime
PHOTOS: NDLEA Busts Global Cocaine Ring, Nabs Three Lagos Kingpins, Traces Dubai Boss
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled an international organised criminal group (IOCG) operating between Nigeria, the UK, Brazil, Australia and the UAE, following a two-week, intelligence-led operation in Lagos.
It was understands that three leaders of the cartel were arrested after officers at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, intercepted a large cocaine shipment concealed in textile materials and “local charms” en route to Sydney, Australia.
The bust reportedly began on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, when NDLEA officers at the MMIA export shed intercepted 76 cartons of textile materials bound for Sydney.
A thorough search uncovered 16 big blocks of cocaine (17.9kg) hidden inside lace fabrics and packed with charms “to provide spiritual cover against law-enforcement detection,” according to an NDLEA statement.
A freight agent, Olashupo Michael Oladimeji, identified as a syndicate member, was arrested immediately. The consignment carried an estimated street value of AU$5.3m (₦5.3bn).
Fast-tracked investigations unmasked two other leaders: Muaezee Ademola Ogunbiyi and Shola Adegoke.
Ogunbiyi, described as the cartel’s Nigeria coordinator, was arrested on Wednesday, September 3, at a hotel in Ikeja GRA. A follow-up search at his Lekki residence yielded 21 parcels of Canadian Loud (10.90kg) and a double-barrel pump-action gun with cartridges.
A black Toyota Venza (FST 771 JQ) was also recovered at the point of arrest.
In a statement signed and issued Sunday, September 7, 2025, NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi, said operatives raided a house at 13 Reverend Ogunbiyi Street, Ikeja GRA, used by the syndicate to package drugs for export. There, another leader, Shola Adegoke, was arrested.
According to him, a black Range Rover (RBC 459 EJ) parked in the compound was searched; 17 parcels of Loud (9.60kg) were recovered.
Investigators identified Adebisi Ademola Omoyele (alias “Mr. Bee”), currently “hibernating” in Dubai, UAE, as the cartel’s overall ringleader coordinating offshore operations.
Adegoke was jailed in the UK in 2021 for methamphetamine dealing and deported in 2024.
It was understands that Ogunbiyi served 14 years in the UK over a murder case before returning to Nigeria about eight years ago.
Airport, Seaport Hits: Tramadol, Codeine Seizures
At MMIA, Friday, September 5, operatives arrested Gabriel Michael, a Milan-based Nigerian, at Terminal 1 while boarding an Air France flight to Italy. He concealed 24,480 tramadol pills (100mg/200mg/225mg) and claimed he intended to sell them for €19,520.
At WACT, Onne Port (PHPC), Rivers State, on Thursday, September 4, a joint NDLEA–Customs examination uncovered 160,200 bottles of codeine-based syrup in a 40-ft container masked with 220 cartons of ceramic sanitary wares.
The shipment, watch-listed and tracked by an NDLEA special operations unit, has an estimated street value of over ₦1.1bn.
Abuja (FCT): Thursday, September 4, a dispatch rider, Joel Bernard (32), was arrested in Gwarimpa with 3.1kg of “Colorado” (synthetic cannabis).
Lagos (Ijesha, Surulere): Acting on intelligence, on Monday, September 1, operatives arrested Tunde Ayinla (47) and Olawale Omotare (54) while loading four distribution vehicles at 28 Ola Street. Recovered: 9kg Canadian Loud, 5kg Colorado, and 1,101 compressed blocks of Ghana Loud (611kg), total: 625kg.
Lagos (Ajegunle): Friday, September 5, a couple, Andy David (43) and Andy Esther (44), were arrested with 24.4kg of skunk at their residence.
Kogi: Musa Isah (45) was arrested with 53.400kg of skunk hidden in two cartons in the trunk of a Toyota Avensis (ABC 338 SS).
Edo (Auchi): Friday, September 5, Yunusa Zakari (23) was nabbed in a follow-up to an earlier 233kg skunk seizure in Kakau, Kaduna State.
Anambra (Onitsha): Wednesday, September 3, operatives arrested Ayouk Nelson (28) at 61 Bida Road with 11,000 tramadol pills.
Niger (Minna–Bida Road): Tuesday, September 2, a white Toyota Hilux was intercepted; search uncovered 30 bags of skunk (342kg). Driver Afolayan Ayodele (54) was arrested.
NDLEA Busts Global Cocaine Ring, Nabs Three Lagos Kingpins, Traces Dubai Boss [Photos]
NDLEA
In Taraba, NDLEA destroyed 18,750kg (18.75 tonnes) of skunk cultivated on 7.5 hectares at Joro-Ade village, Ardo-Kola LGA, on Tuesday, September 2. Farm owners Mako Zmar (55) and Sani Titus (45) were arrested.
The agency’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) outreach continued nationwide with sensitisation visits and lectures to:
Officers of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Lafia (Nasarawa);
Ward heads in Kano Municipal Council (Kano);
Members of the Traditional Medicine Practitioners Association, Awgu LGA (Anambra);
The Ohi of Ihima, HRH Alhaji Abdulraheem Ahmed Ogido, and Okehi LGA Council of Traditional Rulers (Kogi), among others.
Commending operatives of MMIA, PHPC/Onne, Lagos, FCT, Anambra, Taraba, Kaduna, Kogi and Niger Commands for the week’s arrests and seizures, NDLEA Chairman/CEO, Brig-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd.) urged them and their colleagues nationwide to “intensify the ongoing balanced approach to drug control.”
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Crime
PHOTOS: Kebbi man arrested over alleged ritual desecration of Qur’an after burying it in pit with s€men to make woman more submissive to her husband
The Kebbi State Police Command has arrested a 29-year-old man, Abubakar Musa, over alleged ritual desecration of the Holy Qur’an in Zuru Local Government Area of the state.
The spokesperson for the command, SP Bashir Usman, who disclosed this in a statement on 14th August 2026, said the suspect was arrested in connection with alleged criminal conspiracy, abuse of religious books, use of spells and hypnosis, and inciting disturbance.
According to the PPRO, on August 9, 2026, Musa and two other suspects, Rabi’u Tela and Hamza Zango, allegedly dug a pit and buried a copy of the Holy Qur’an, together with semen, white and red kolanuts, underwear, d3ad animals, and other fetish items.
The police spokesperson said the act was allegedly intended to make Rabi’u Tela’s wife Zarau Hassan more submissive to him.
“The Kebbi State Police Command has arrested Abubakar Musa, male, 29, of Rafin Mose Village, Zuru LGA, in connection with a case of criminal conspiracy, abuse of religious books, use of spells and hypnosis, and inciting disturbance,” the statement read.
“The incident occurred on 9th August 2026, at about 1900hrs, at Zango Area, Zuru. Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect allegedly conspired with two others; Rabi’u Tela, husband of Zarau Hassan, and Hamza Zango, both now at large, to dig a pit inside Zarau Hassan’s room and bury therein a copy of the Holy Qur’an, together with semen, white and red kolanuts, underwear, dead animals, and other fetish items.
“The act was allegedly intended to make Zarau Hassan more submissive to her husband, Rabi’u Tela, and was carried out in circumstances capable of provoking a breach of the peace among the Muslim faithful in the community.
“Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the two fleeing suspects, while Abubakar Musa remains in police custody and will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigation.
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Umar M. Hadejia, psc, MNIM, strongly condemns the alleged act and warns that the Command will deal decisively, within the law, with individuals whose actions threaten religious harmony, public order, and peaceful coexistence.
“Members of the public are urged to promptly report suspicious activities to the Police through 09039911876 or 07081074395. All information will be treated with utmost confidentiality.”
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Gunmen have abducted 14 passengers travelling along the Otukpo–Adoka road in Benue State.
The incident occurred on Thursday night, August 13, 2026 when an 18-seater commercial bus travelling from Enugu State to Abuja was reportedly ambushed along the Ankpechi–Omutele axis of Ohimini Local Government Area.
A resident, Ochai, who spoke with punch on Friday, said the gunmen forced all the passengers into the surrounding forest.
“Some gunmen ambushed an 18-seater bus heading to Abuja between Omutele and Ankpechi along Otukpo -Adola road yesterday (Thursday) night. All the passengers in the vehicle were whisked away by the gunmen,” he said.
The spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, DSP Peter Aondongu, who confirmed the incident in a statement said five of the victims have so far been rescued.
According to the PPRO, the police launched a coordinated rescue operation early Friday.
Aondongu said the operation involved an exchange of gunfire between the security operatives and the kidnappers.
“The Benue State Police Command has confirmed a kidnapping incident involving a commercial passenger bus travelling from Enugu State to Abuja along the Ankpechi–Omutele axis of Ohimini Local Government Area on the night of 13 August 2026,” the statement read
“Following the incident, operatives of the command commenced a coordinated rescue operation early this (Friday) morning. The operation, which involved an exchange of gunfire, has so far resulted in the successful rescue of five victims, including a four-year-old boy, while nine others remain in the custody of the suspected kidnappers.”
The police spokesperson disclosed that one of the rescued victims sustained a gunshot injury during the operation and was taken to a medical facility in Otukpo for treatment.
He said the police, working with other security agencies, had intensified efforts to secure the release of the remaining nine victims.
According to Aondongu, the operation was being conducted cautiously, with the safety of the abducted passengers prioritised.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Cletus Nwadiogbu, also assured the victims’ families and members of the public that efforts would continue until the remaining passengers were rescued.
He urged residents of the affected communities to remain vigilant and provide security agencies with credible information that could aid the rescue operation.
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