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PHOTOS: Alleged Nigerian drug kingpin arrested in Bangkok after dramatic standoff

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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.

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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.

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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

EFCC busts Chinese-linked illegal refinery in Ogun

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has uncovered an illegal oil refinery allegedly operated by Chinese nationals in the Ogere area of Ogun State.

The commission said the facility was discovered on Saturday, October 31, 2026, by operatives of its Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 following intelligence and surveillance on the activities of illegal sludge oil refiners.

The EFCC disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday by its Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale.

Oyewale said the facility was deserted when operatives stormed the premises, following an earlier crackdown on four illegal lithium processing plants in the area.

However, he said operatives discovered waste products from the refining process and underground tanks suspected to have been used for heating and processing sludge oil.

The statement read, “The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission uncovered an illegal oil refinery operated by Chinese in the Ogere area of Ogun State.

“The operation, conducted on Saturday, October 31, 2026, by operatives of the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the EFCC, followed credible intelligence and surveillance by the commission on the activities of the illegal sludge oil refiners.

“The refinery was found deserted when EFCC operatives stormed the premises, following the commission’s earlier clampdown on four illegal lithium processing plants in the area. However, waste products from the refining process were discovered at the location.”

Oyewale said during the raid, underground tanks believed to have been used for heating and processing the sludge oil were also discovered.

“Two of the underground tanks inspected contained substances suspected to be Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), otherwise known as diesel.

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“Preliminary investigations revealed that the operators sourced sludge oil, also known as black sludge, from Warri, Delta State, and Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and transported it to the illegal facility in Ogere for processing,” Oyewale added.

He said the operators subjected the sludge oil to intense heat, allowing lighter petroleum components to pass through chambers and filters in a process believed to produce diesel for sale in the Nigerian market.

“Personnel at the facility told EFCC operatives that the Chinese operators never disclosed their identities nor the name of the company behind the facility.

“Consequently, operatives of the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the EFCC have since taken over the premises as investigations continue to establish the identities of the operators, the ownership of the facility and the full extent of the suspected illegal activities and economic sabotage,” he added.

Source: punchng.com

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Crime

Oyo boxer, KBlaq stabbed to death during street fight

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An amateur boxer identified simply as Kehinde and popularly known as KBlaq has been stabbed to death during a street fight at Olodo Garage in Ibadan, Oyo State.

PUNCH Metro learnt on Monday that the incident occurred on Sunday, sparking outrage among social media users, who called for justice for the deceased.

According to accounts circulating online, the deceased was not initially involved in the fight, while the suspect allegedly appeared after the confrontation had ended and stabbed him in the neck with a broken bottle.

Kehinde, who was described by acquaintances as a boxer, reportedly succumbed to his injuries.

Several social media users expressed shock over the killing, with some claiming that the suspect was not among those involved in the initial fight.

An X user, @MVKAY2, wrote, “The person who stabbed him was not even involved in the fight, and they had stopped fighting already. Just one of those vile men wey the matter no concern came from nowhere and stabbed him.

“Before una start dropping different narratives, I wish he was with Z second. I wish he was never there.”

Another user, @omononaolapo, wrote, “Funny enough, this guy that stabbed him was not even among those that they were fighting.”

Similarly, @Tunde, who described the deceased as his brother, wrote, “Na my brother o. Ajeh. Olodo bike men can be very mean sometimes, and they were all there watching them fight.”

Another user, @Fela, added, “This was why I made this tweet earlier today. This boxer is my younger brother’s friend. I got to church yesterday and my brother told me someone killed his friend. I was shocked when he told me.”

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Also, @Pelumifundz, who described Kehinde as the younger brother of a friend, wrote, “This guy is a twin and my friend’s junior brother. He’s so gentle and doesn’t cause trouble. I would really love to know what happened that made the bikeman stab him in the neck. Anyways, rest in peace, Kenny. I know you won’t go without having justice. We will definitely get it for you.”

Confirming the incident on Monday, the spokesperson for the Oyo State Police Command, Olayinka Ayanlade, told our correspondent during a telephone interview that an investigation was ongoing.

Source: punchng.com

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Crime

Terrorists abduct 14 Islamic school students in Niger

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Suspected terrorists have abducted 14 students in a Niger State Islamic school.

The incident reportedly happened on Saturday in Pandogari in Rafi Local Government Area.

The PUNCH learnt that the students were abducted while harvesting maize in their teacher’s farm when the terrorists invaded the farm.

The teacher was also reportedly kidnapped during the incident.

The spokesman of the Niger State police command, Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the incident on Monday, saying that the number of abducted students was 14 and not 50 as reported.

He also said a joint security mission was on a rescue mission, assuring that the abducted students would be rescued.

“On 31/10/2026 at about 12.30 pm, suspected bandits invaded Tungan-Bako village via Rafi LGA and abducted some persons working on the farm.

“The report further indicated that the abducted victims were about 14 students of an Islamiya helping their Mallam to harvest maize on the farm before the incident.

“However, joint security rescue efforts are ongoing; further developments will be communicated,” he said.

Meanwhile, the spokesman of the Social Democratic Party governorship candidate, Jonathan Vatsa, speaking on the incident, condemned Governor Mohammed Bago over his handling of the security situation in the state.

He lamented that the governor was busy with electioneering and had failed to protect lives and property.

“The security agencies in the state lack operational vehicles and other necessary equipment to confront the situation.

“The government is only there to issue statements either condemning every attack or condole with the people over the death of their loved ones without any cogent step to address the situation,” Vatsa said.

See also  Police arrest motorcyclist with three human skulls in Ogun

Source: punchng.com

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