Crime
PHOTOS: Alleged Nigerian drug kingpin arrested in Bangkok after dramatic standoff
Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB) investigators in Thailand have arrested the alleged head of a Nigerian drug network in a dramatic late-night operation during which the suspect attempted to ram his way through a police blockade.
The arrest was made on Tuesday night, June 9, 2026 during an operation dubbed “Clipping the Wings of the Dodorima Boss” by officers from the MPB and the Bangkok branch of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB).
The suspect, identified as Ikenna Patrick Azubuike, 36, was arrested outside a condominium on Rama III Road in Bangkok’s Yannawa district.
The suspect commonly referred to as Patrick was charged with possessing and selling a Category 2 narcotic (cocaine) without permission, and resisting arrest.
Authorities said further charges related to money laundering are being considered.
The operation led to the seizure of cocaine, a vehicle, cash, funds held in bank accounts and other assets worth more than 700,000 baht.
Investigations that led to the arrest began on May 22, when police investigators, led by MPB deputy commissioner Pol Maj Gen Theeradej Thamsuthee, conducted a raid on a luxury condominium near Phra Nang Klao Bridge in Nonthaburi, which was allegedly being used as a base for a romance scam operation. Six foreign nationals were arrested during that operation.
Later, deputy national police chief Pol Gen Samrarn Nuanma ordered the MPB to widen the investigation, leading to links between the romance scam syndicate and the cocaine trafficking network of a major criminal organisation with more than 300 million baht circulating through its operations.
Investigators said the network operated under the name Dodorima, described as a regional alliance of African criminal figures in Thailand. They are believed to be an off chute of a larger international organisation known as NBM of Africa.
Officers found that members of the group sought to disguise their activities through highly visible charitable donations and community outreach programmes.
Investigators identified Patrick as the apparent leader of the Dodorima network in Thailand.
They said the Nigerian man had lived in Thailand for more than seven years, travelling frequently between Thailand and Africa.
According to police, Patrick initially worked as a street-level cocaine dealer in tourist areas before rising up through the ranks.
Investigators estimated that more than 380 million baht flowed through the network’s accounts over the past year alone.
Authorities also believed he sent substantial sums back to Nigeria, where he allegedly built a large mansion.
The MPB said the investigation proved difficult because the suspect was surrounded by trusted associates and employed sophisticated methods to conceal financial transactions and evade detection.
The investigators eventually discovered that although Patrick was no longer directly involved in most street-level drug sales, he appeared to maintain influence through the distribution of cocaine to prominent clients, leading authorities to launch the operation that resulted in his arrest.
On the day of the arrest, the arresting team tracked Patrick as he drove into a luxury condominium complex on Rama III Road.
The officers attempted to stop his vehicle using a car-blocking strategy, but he reversed into officers in an effort to escape, injuring several.
Pol Maj Gen Theeradej, who led the operation, ordered officers to smash the vehicle’s windows and disable its engine. Patrick was then taken into custody.
A search of the vehicle reportedly uncovered about 18 grammes of cocaine. A subsequent search of his condominium unit led to the seizure of cash and other assets valued at about 700,000 baht.
Following the arrest, investigators said they uncovered intelligence suggesting links to a wider transnational criminal network.
Authorities also found messages in a private group chat in which members appeared to ridicule Thai cocaine users, including one message stating: “The powder they snort comes from our backsides.”
Patrick has been handed over to investigators at Bang Phongphang police station for legal proceedings. Assets seized under anti-money laundering measures have been transferred to the ONCB for further tracing.
During questioning, Patrick partially admitted to the allegations against him, acknowledging involvement with cocaine but denying money-laundering offences.
He claimed the group’s activities centred on charitable donations funded through a fish-export business between Thailand and Nigeria.
The suspect said the word “Dodomira” means “hello”.
Pol Maj Gen Theeradej said the arrest represented a significant blow to a major transnational syndicate, disrupting both drug trafficking and financial laundering activities.
“The MPB would work with the ONCB and international partners to trace financial flows and apprehend all Thai and foreign accomplices linked to the organisation, he said.
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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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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
