Crime

NDLEA arrests 44 drug suspects in Edo

Published

4 months ago

December 5, 2025

The Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency on Thursday said it arrested 44 suspected drug traffickers with 2,059.83 kg of illicit drugs in November.

The Edo State Commander of the agency, Mitchell Ofoyeju, said in a statement that those apprehended comprised 21 males and 23 females. He warned drug trafficking cartels operating in the state to desist immediately or face severe consequences.

He said, “The Edo State Command of the NDLEA has arrested 44 suspected drug traffickers with 2,059.83 kg of illicit drugs in the month of November.

“The drugs seized consist of 2,058.79 kg of cannabis, 0.3167 kg tramadol, 0.3197 kg methamphetamine, 0.0463 kg heroin, 0.0039 kg cocaine, 0.008 kg codeine-based syrup (0.6 litre), flunitrazepam 0.0032 kg, diazepam 0.0446 kg, swinol 0.0082 kg and danabol (molly) 0.61 kg.

“One cannabis farm measuring 0.583898 hectares, with an estimated yield of 1,459.745 kg, was discovered and destroyed at Igbeshi Forest, Imiakebo, Etsako West, in the state.”

Presenting the operational scorecard, Ofoyeju said the command intensified intelligence-led operations to ensure a peaceful and secure yuletide season in the state.

He expressed concern over the rising involvement of women in drug trafficking, describing it as a worrying trend given the strategic role of women in nation-building.

He highlighted the NDLEA’s commitment to dismantling drug networks and ensuring a drug-free Edo State, adding, “Our operations send a clear message to those involved in the drug trade to either desist now or face the full might of the law.”

Ofoyeju said 17 convictions were secured in November, while 126 cases remain pending at the Federal High Court in Benin City.

He added that the agency’s Drug Demand Reduction Unit counselled 21 clients during the period and would continue its rehabilitation and sensitisation efforts to curb substance abuse in the state.

The commander also acknowledged the challenges posed by the difficult terrain used for cannabis cultivation, stressing the need for improved logistical support to access dense forest locations and eradicate illicit plantations.

While pledging the command’s determination to protect society from drug trafficking and abuse, he appealed to residents to provide credible information on drug activities in their areas.

PUNCH Metro earlier reported that the Edo NDLEA command secured the conviction of 17 suspects to a total of 84 years’ imprisonment for various drug offences in November, with an option of N27.25m fine.

The convicts were charged with unlawful possession, dealing, and cultivation of controlled substances, including cannabis sativa, methamphetamine, cocaine, tramadol, diazepam, danabol, and swinol tablets.

Edo State remains a major hub for drug cultivation and sale in Nigeria, and the NDLEA, working with the state government and other stakeholders, continues to intensify efforts to combat the scourge.

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Crime

Driver of Emir Sanusi’s wife remanded over alleged jewellery theft

Published

2 days ago

April 1, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

A Magistrate Court sitting at Nomansland in Fagge Local Government Area of Kano State has ordered the remand of a driver and two others over the alleged theft of jewellery, cash, and a mobile phone belonging to the wife of the 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II.

The defendants, Sulaiman Yakubu Kulkude, Idris Musa, and Abdullahi Usaini, were arraigned on a three-count charge of conspiracy, theft and receiving stolen property.

Prosecuting counsel, Barrister Abubakar Ibrahim, told the court that Sulaiman Yakubu, who serves as the driver of the Emir’s wife, unlawfully entered her room and made away with jewellery reportedly valued at N60 million, alongside cash and a mobile phone.

When the charges were read, Sulaiman pleaded guilty to all counts, while the two other defendants pleaded not guilty.

Counsel to the defendants, Barrister A.A. Abdullahi, filed a bail application.

In his ruling, the presiding Magistrate, Halilu Abdurahman, granted bail to the defendants with conditions, including the provision of a surety who must be either a father or brother, a civil servant not below Grade Level 15, and a bail sum of N10 million each.

The case was adjourned to April 14 for further hearing, while the defendants were remanded pending the fulfilment of their bail conditions.

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Crime

Suspected cult clashes leave two dead in Lagos, Ogun

Published

2 days ago

April 1, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

Two adult males have been killed in separate suspected cult-related attacks in Lagos and Ogun States.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the first incident occurred on Saturday around the Federal College of Education (Technical), Akoka, in Yaba, while the second took place in the Magboro area of Ogun State.

The victim in the Akoka incident was reportedly hacked to death after being attacked by about six suspected cultists.

A police source, speaking on condition of anonymity due to lack of authorization to speak for the command, described the attack on Tuesday as a suspected reprisal.

“The victim was accosted along the axis leading to the school gate, and what started as a confrontation led to a fight. He was stabbed in the head in the process. It was later discovered that the assailants were suspected cultists,” the source said.

In a video seen by PUNCH Metro on Tuesday, the deceased’s body was lying by the roadside.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Adebisi, confirmed the incident, adding that one suspect had been arrested.

“One suspect has been arrested in connection with the incident. Investigation is ongoing,” she said.

In Magboro, PUNCH Metro gathered that the victim in the Gas Line area was a suspected Eiye cult member identified as Cegaga.

According to insiders, he was stabbed to death during a clash involving rival cult groups in the community.

The incident, our correspondents gathered, occurred on Saturday around 11pm, following a disagreement between the deceased and a suspected Buccaneer member identified as Corner over money issues.

A suspected Vikings member, identified as Troup, who was reportedly at the scene, allegedly took sides in the dispute and stabbed the victim.

Residents said the victim’s body was discovered the following morning.

A resident who requested anonymity for security reasons said, “I didn’t witness the clash. I only came back to see that someone had been killed.”

Also speaking, a trader who asked not to be named said, “We had closed for the day.” It happened at midnight, and we only saw the body when we resumed work the next morning.”

It was gathered that tension had heightened in the community due to recurring cult-related violence in recent weeks.

Another resident, who identified himself as Suleiman, told PUNCH Metro on Tuesday that such incidents had become frequent.

He said, “We have been experiencing a series of cult attacks in the area over the past few weeks. The one that happened on Saturday is just one of many incidents.

“We rarely experience situations like this, but it is now becoming regular. We need the intervention of the authorities before it escalates.”

The Ogun State Police Command spokesperson, Oluseyi Babaseyi, could not be reached for comment, as calls to his telephone lines went unanswered.

A text message sent to him had not been replied to at the time of filing this report.

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Crime

PHOTOS: NDLEA Seizes Cocaine Hidden In Dry Fish, Arrests Grandpa With Meth

Published

4 days ago

March 29, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

The operation, disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday by NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, followed intelligence on trans-border criminal activities.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted a large shipment of cocaine hidden inside the heads of imported dry stockfish and arrested a key member of the syndicate linked to trafficking the drugs abroad.

The operation, disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday by NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, followed intelligence on trans-border criminal activities.

Babafemi said the intelligence led to a sting operation by operatives of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Strategic Command of the Agency at the Ojo area of Lagos on Thursday, March 19, 2026.

“In the course of the operation, three jumbo size bags were found in possession of the kingpin 36-year-old Akputa Dickson Ejike.

“A search of the bags led to the recovery of Two Hundred and Thirty-Seven (237) wraps of cocaine buried in the heads of imported dry stock fish locally known as ‘Okporoko.’

“The cocaine pellets have a gross weight of 5.80 kilograms. The consignment was intended for export to Delhi, India,” the statement read.

In a separate operation on Wednesday, March 25, NDLEA operatives from the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation (DOGI) intercepted two consignments bound for the United Kingdom at a courier company in Lagos.

“In one of the shipments that originated from Cotonou, Benin Republic, 1.9 kilograms of methamphetamine were found concealed in automobile filters while the second parcel contains 40 ampoules of Morphine Sulphate and nine ampoules of Fentanyl.”

Babafemi added that on March 26, a Special Operations Unit (SOU) raided the home of 46-year-old Omolade Abigail Jolayemi, known as “Iya Ghana,” at 13 Carter Street, Yaba, Lagos.

She and her associate, 31-year-old Sarah Zainab Agbabiaka, were arrested after operatives recovered 135 blocks of cannabis weighing 76.30 kilograms.

“Same day, the SOU operatives also arrested Anayo Lucky Ohabiro, 39, at Doyin bus stop, Surulere, Lagos following credible intelligence. A total of 78 blocks of Ghana Loud weighing 41kg were seized from him.”

In Ekiti State, the statement added that “an 80-year-old grandpa, Oke Samuel, was on Thursday 26th March arrested by NDLEA operatives during a special raid operation at Mosafuneto camp, Erinmo road, Efon-Alaaye Ekiti. A total of 2.2kg skunk and 1.8grams of methamphetamine were recovered from him.”

Another suspect, 37-year-old Enuwa Kehinde Kingsley, had 894.72 kilograms of skunk seized from an uncompleted building in Ogbese, Akure North, Ondo State.

Elsewhere, 35-year-old Saater Nyam was apprehended at Pevi village, Guma LGA, Benue State, with 116.7 kilograms of skunk on Tuesday, March 24.

In Edo State, a warehouse raid in Ekpoma town, Esan West LGA, on Monday, March 23, led to the arrest of 25-year-old Felix Donald and the seizure of 576.5 kilograms of skunk and 33 bottles of codeine-based syrup.

In Taraba State, Babafemi said NDLEA officers intercepted a truck carrying 100 blocks of compressed skunk weighing 135 kilograms concealed in animal feed bags from Garbachede to Gombe State on Tuesday, March 24.

Two suspects, 21-year-old Osama Mamuda and 22-year-old Auwal Umar, were arrested in connection with the seizure.

Babafemi noted that the agency has also continued its War Against Drug Abuse social advocacy, conducting sensitisation lectures in schools across Cross River, Adamawa, Oyo, Kano, and Lagos states.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Marwa (Rtd), commended operatives from MMIA, SOU, DOGI, Ekiti, Ondo, Benue, Edo, and Taraba Commands for their efforts and praised all commands nationwide for balancing drug supply reduction with drug demand reduction initiatives.