Crime

NDLEA nabs Brazil returnee with cocaine hidden in private parts, footwear

Published

3 months ago

February 1, 2026

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a Brazil-based Nigerian businessman, Uche Franklin Onyekwere, at the arrival hall of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos, for allegedly concealing parcels of cocaine in his private parts and the soles of his footwear.

The NDLEA said Onyekwere was arrested on Thursday, January 29, 2026, during the inward clearance of South African Airways passengers arriving from Brazil via Johannesburg, following processed intelligence.

According to the agency, the 47-year-old suspect was taken for a full body scan, which confirmed illicit drug concealment.

“He was subjected to a strip search, during which a large parcel of a white powdery substance, later confirmed to be cocaine, was discovered wrapped around his right thigh. A further search revealed two additional wraps of the same substance concealed in the sole of a pair of flat shoes worn by the suspect,” the NDLEA said.

In all, three large wraps of cocaine with a gross weight of 1.60 kilogrammes were recovered from his body and footwear.

During preliminary interrogation, the suspect allegedly admitted purchasing the drugs in Brazil with the intention of reselling them in Nigeria to raise capital for his business and to finance the naming ceremony of his newborn child.

Onyekwere, who lives on Rua Ever, Mulariuha, São Paulo, reportedly said he had been in Brazil since 2008 and had operated a toy business for about nine years.

Meanwhile, at the Tincan Seaport in Lagos, NDLEA officers, in a joint operation with the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies, intercepted 55 jumbo bags of Canadian Loud, a strong strain of cannabis, weighing 1,183kg, imported from Montreal, Canada.

The illicit consignment was hidden inside two vehicles — a Hyundai SUV and a Toyota Matrix — inside a container examined on Wednesday, January 28.

In Niger State, operatives acting on intelligence on Tuesday, January 26, intercepted a truck along the Dei-Dei–Abuja Expressway and arrested Andy Chidogu, 49; Kenneth Ogene, 45; and Sadiq Olanrewaju, 27, for transporting 176 bags of skunk weighing 2,735kg and one kilogramme of Colorado concealed in the vehicle.

Investigations showed the truck had earlier carried flour from Lagos to Ekpoma, Edo State, before being used to convey the drugs for a fee of ₦1.7 million.

In Edo State, NDLEA officers on January 27 arrested Shaibu Yusuf along the Auchi-Abuja Expressway with 66 bags of skunk concealed in charcoal sacks, weighing 792kg, bound for Katsina.

Also in Edo, operatives supported by the Nigerian Army raided a cannabis farm at Ebora Camp, Ilushi, in Esan South-East LGA, where over 4,063kg of skunk was destroyed on 1.6 hectares of farmland, while 328kg of processed cannabis and seeds were recovered. Four suspects were arrested.

In Anambra State, officers intercepted a cement truck at Upper Iweka, Onitsha, and recovered 345.2kg of skunk concealed in cement bags, leading to the arrest of Abum Okeke, 42.

In Ondo State, two suspects — Tunde Ogundele, 39, and Soji Elegbeleye, 46 — were arrested in Akure North with 473kg of skunk.

In Kano, Abdullahi Usman, 45, was arrested with 12,500 ampoules of pentazocine, while another suspect, Musa Shuaibu, 42, was caught in Gaya with 4,390 tramadol pills.

In Lagos, Oragwan Ekene was arrested at Alaba with 15.5kg of skunk heading to Onitsha, while at the Seme border, Badagry, NDLEA recovered 3.5kg of skunk from the luggage of Omang Peter Edward arriving from Cotonou, Benin Republic.

NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended officers of the MMIA, Tincan, Niger, Edo, Anambra, Ondo, Lagos and Kano Commands for the arrests and seizures, urging them to sustain a balanced approach to drug supply and demand reduction.

Across the country, the agency also continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaigns in schools, worship centres, workplaces and communities.

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Crime

Gunshots Fired Near Trump, US President Rushed To Safety

Published

9 hours ago

April 26, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

Panic erupted on Saturday night after gunshots were fired near Donald Trump during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington, D.C., forcing security operatives to evacuate the president and guests.

It was reports that the incident occurred at the Washington Hilton Hotel, where hundreds of guests had gathered for the annual black-tie event.

The suspect was apprehended at a screening area just outside the ballroom.

Confirming the development, Trump said, “Secret Service and Law Enforcement did a fantastic job. They acted quickly and bravely. The shooter has been apprehended.”

Tactical teams reportedly stormed the venue with weapons drawn, taking control of the stage area shortly after the evacuation. Police units surrounded the hotel, while helicopters hovered overhead.

In a post on social media, Trump assured that top government officials were unharmed.

“Law Enforcement has requested that we leave the premises… The First Lady, plus the Vice President, and all Cabinet members, are in perfect condition,” he said.

He added that he would address the public shortly at the White House and pledged to reschedule the event within a month.

The shooting occurred after the welcome address and during dinner, just before Trump was due to speak.

Although organisers initially indicated the event would continue, it was later postponed following the security scare.

A cabinet official, Mehmet Oz, said he heard gunfire during the incident.

“Shots fired upstairs,” he said while being escorted out by security personnel.

The Washington Hilton Hotel has previously been the site of an assassination attempt on former President Ronald Reagan in 1981.

Trump himself survived a shooting incident during a rally in Pennsylvania in 2024 and another security threat months later in Florida.

The White House Correspondents’ Dinner, often referred to as the “Nerd Prom,” brings together journalists, media executives, and political figures for an annual fundraising event.

This marked Trump’s first attendance at the event while in office, despite years of strained relations with the media.

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Crime

Military inaugurates court martial for soldiers involved in alleged coup plot

Published

2 days ago

April 24, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

The Nigerian military has inaugurated a general court-martial to try 36 personnel who were alleged to have been involved in a plot to overthrow the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

The Defense Headquarters inaugurated the court martial on Friday at the Scorpion Mess, Asokoro, Abuja, under heavy security.

The session was held behind closed doors due to the sensitive nature of the proceedings.

It was reports that journalists, including accredited defence correspondents who had received prior invitations, were denied access to the venue.

Security personnel also barred the use of mobile phones to document the arrival of the 36 defendants, who were transported to the mess in an Army Headquarters Garrison bus at approximately 8:53 am.

The military proceedings are unfolding alongside parallel criminal charges filed by the Federal Government against civilians involved in the alleged coup plot at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

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Crime

Court adjourns financial misappropriation case against Yahaya Bello to May 6

Published

2 days ago

April 24, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

Proceedings in the case involving former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, were on Thursday adjourned till May 6, 2026, by Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

At the resumed hearing, counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, represented the prosecution, while Bello was represented by his lead counsel, Mr Joseph Daudu.

During proceedings, the prosecution informed the court of the need for more time to respond to applications filed by the defence, while Bello’s legal team urged the court to consider their submissions and move the matter forward.

Justice Nwite, in his ruling, adjourned the case to May 6 to allow all parties to adequately prepare and ensure a fair hearing.

Mr Bello is currently facing charges bordering on alleged financial misappropriation during his tenure as governor, allegations he has repeatedly denied.

The case is expected to continue on the adjourned date.

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