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JUST IN: Largest Consignment of Heroin Intercepted by NDLEA at Lagos Airport

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Members of an organized criminal organization that specializes in trafficking heroin across Nigeria, South Africa, Mozambique, Europe and America have been arrest by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA.

The arrest was made in a 12-day well-coordinated operation leading to the seizure of the single largest consignment of heroin at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA Ikeja Lagos.

NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) made the disclosure at a press conference in Lagos on Tuesday 27th February 2024.

According to Marwa, “It started on February 10, 2024, when NDLEA operatives of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport Command intercepted a suspicious package at the SAHCO Import Shed of the airport’s Cargo Terminal. The consignment was concealed in 15 cartons of 2300-watt metal cutting machines. Each carton was stocked with three blocks of high-grade heroin. In total, we recovered 45 blocks of the illicit substance with a total weight of 49.70kg.

“After the discovery, we were methodical and meticulous in our investigations. We started with the arrest of the freight agent whose name is Olowolagba Wasiu Babatunde. It turned out that he was hired for clearing services by Mattpee Logistics, a company operated by one Mr. Kola resident in South Africa.

“Next, we conducted a follow up operation at the company’s warehouse in the Shogunle area of Oshodi, Lagos, and arrested the warehouse manager, whose name is Ajayi Imole Moses. Thereafter, we set up an ambush for the expected receiver of the consignment who was duly arrested when he showed up for collection. This receiver, whose name is Adinnu Felix Chinedu, confessed during interrogation, that he is the main distributor for a drug syndicate whose membership is spread across Nigeria.

“He admitted that he usually conveyed the consignment to a dedicated warehouse located in Ayobo. That place served as a workshop where he would dismantle the consignment and remove the drugs from the machines. Thereafter, he would wait for a list of various recipients to be forwarded to him from South Africa by the head of the criminal group.

“Our operatives did due diligence by conducting a thorough search of the warehouse which led to the recovery of 56 similar cartons of the cutting machines that were used previously as modes of concealment to ferry heroin into Nigeria. At this point, it was clear that we are dealing with a syndicate that operates in other countries. By the time, we were done exploring various leads we had, we unravelled an organised criminal network that operates in South Africa, Mozambique, Nigeria and parts of Europe and America.

“This syndicate has a wide network in Nigeria because the consignments we seized were marked with several codenames, showing that they belonged to different members of this organised criminal group. Furthermore, in our follow-up operation, we uncovered from the suspect a long list of receivers of illicit drugs. In the end, we were able to identify the kingpin of the syndicate here in Nigeria and his name is Reginald Peter Chidiebere. Our investigations showed that he owns the Golden Platinum Hotel and Suite, located at 16 Reginald Peter Chidiebere Street, Hope Estate, Ago Palace.”

The NDLEA boss said several days of surveillance on the hotel culminated in a raid operation on Monday, February 19 in which another drug mule, Igboanugo Chukwuebuka Thankgod, was found in possession of two parcels of 2.2kg heroin with codes similar to the ones found on the seized drug shipment, bringing the total seizure to 51.90 kilograms. “He readily confessed that he was invited by Mr. Reginald Peter Chidiebere to the hotel on Sunday, February 18, 2024. He was lodged in one of the rooms and was later summoned by the receptionist to meet a guest, from whom Reginald Peter Chidiebere had informed him over the phone to receive a package. This sequence of action was confirmed by a review of the CCTV at the hotel”, he stated.

He further explained that pre-emptive actions so far taken against members of the syndicate include freezing a total of 107 bank accounts associated with 14 members of the cartel as well as N119,582,928.31 found in some of the already traced bank accounts. He added that the hotel and a mansion linked to the head of the syndicate in Nigeria, Reginald Peter Chidiebere and another mansion linked to the head of the syndicate in Mozambique, Festus Ibewuike located in Ago Palace area had already been marked for forfeiture to the Federal Government.

He said the measure yielded further fruit on Thursday 22nd February when a female member of the syndicate and wife of Festus Ibewuike, Mrs. Confidence Ndidiamaka, Ibewuike who is one of those to collect part of the consignment from Adinnu Felix Chinedu, was arrested at Ago Palace area on last Thursday.

“When they were brought face to face, he (Adinnu Felix Chinedu) immediately identified her as one of the members of the criminal syndicate who had received similar packages of heroin with the syndicate’s logo from him on two different occasions. Though she denied knowing Adinnu or receiving anything from him before, investigation later revealed how her husband identified as Festus Ibewuike who is a top kingpin and currently residing in Mozambique used to send drug consignments to her through Adinnu Felix Chinedu.

“With pictorial evidence of different parcels with different codes and using other methodologies, we were able to confirm several instructions from her husband to her regarding illicit drug shipments already collected before. A search was promptly conducted in their residence located at the Ago Palace area, Festac Town where a Toyota Venza car was recovered as well as several documents including, bank and property documents belonging to Festus Ibewuike.” Their mansion in Ago Palace area has also been marked for forfeiture to the Federal Government.

As part of efforts to ensure all those involved are brought to book, Marwa assured that “NDLEA has shared comprehensive intelligence with our South African counterparts for necessary action regarding the other members of the group living in that country.”

He said “there is a parallel between this seizure and the September 18, 2022 seizure of 2,139.5kg cocaine in an Ikorodu warehouse. That was the biggest singular cocaine seizure in the history of NDLEA. This present bust is the largest single heroin seizure at the MMIA so far.”

While commending the synergy and support the NDLEA enjoys from other stakeholders like Customs, the military, Immigration, Police, DSS, NSCDC, FRSC, NAFDAC, Aviation Security (AVSEC) and the media as well as international partners, Marwa said the Agency won’t relent in its offensive action targeting drug barons and their networks.

“In our renewed fight against drug trafficking, our offensive action is specifically targeting drug barons to disrupt distribution networks and uproot the drug pipelines in the country. To this end, we have arrested 48 barons in three years, 15 of whom are already serving jail terms while the rest are facing trials in court. This should serve as a warning to others that there is no hiding place in Nigeria for anyone involved in the illicit drug trade.

“NDLEA is resolved to end the reign of drug barons and disconnect Nigeria from the global drug trafficking network. We have maintained a consistently strong performance, every week. With this heroin bust, we are sending a warning again to drug traffickers within and outside the county that if they fail to desist from the illicit drug trade, the long arm of the law will catch up with them.”

Crime

One Killed, Houses Burnt as Suspected Herders Storm Taraba

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Violence erupted in some farming communities in Karim Lamido Local Government Area in Taraba State, leaving one person dead and 100 houses burnt to the ground following an attack by suspected herders.

The incident has sparked fear and unrest in the local community.

According to eyewitness accounts, the attack began in the early hours of the morning, with armed individuals believed to be herders descending upon the village.

Residents reported that the attackers opened fire indiscriminately, leading to the death of one person while several other villagers sustained injuries and are currently receiving medical attention.

While confirming the latest attacks, the youth leader of the community, Ishaya Peter, described the attacks as unprovoked and also condemned it.

He said residents were discussing when the attackers stormed the community and opened fire, killing at least one person and razing several buildings in the process.

In addition to the loss of life, the attackers set fire to multiple houses, leaving families displaced and without shelter. The extent of the damage is still being assessed, but early reports indicate significant property loss.

The motive for the attack is currently under investigation, but it is believed to be linked to ongoing tensions between herder and farming communities in the region over land and resources.

Security forces have been deployed to the area to restore order and investigate the incident. However, residents are expressing concern about the lack of adequate security and the slow response time of authorities.

The incident underscores the urgent need for a peaceful resolution to the herder-farmer conflict and highlights the importance of proactive measures to prevent further violence and protect vulnerable communities.

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Crime

Pregnancy Dispute Turns Deadly: UNIPORT Student Burns Lover

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The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a 300-level undergraduate of the University of Port Harcourt, identified as Cynthia Chukwundah, who allegedly set her lover on fire in a private residence in Choba in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the State.

Recall that the incident occurred on Sunday during a heated argument between the two lovebirds before the girl resorted to such action.

It was later gathered that the scuffle revolves around the pregnancy of the girl, even as her lover, a 32-year+old Sunny Amadi, died from injuries he sustained from the fire.

Spokesperson for the State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Tuesday and sent to the media.

Iringe-Koko also said the girl, who also suffered some burns from the inferno, is receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital under the watch of the police, saying the command has launched an investigation into the incident.

The statement reads, “The Rivers State Police Command is aware of and deeply concerned about a circulating social media report depicting a fire incident that occurred at No. 11B Okoro Street, Choba, Port Harcourt.

“According to the report, one Cynthia Chukwundah, a 300-level female undergraduate student of the University of Port Harcourt, allegedly set her boyfriend, one Saint Sunny Amadi, a 32-year-old male from the Elibrada Community in Emohua LGA, ablaze in a room, resulting in severe injuries during the inferno.

“He was rushed to the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) for medical treatment.

Upon receiving the report at about 1112 hours, Police detectives from the Choba Division promptly visited the scene and the victim at the hospital, who was in critical condition.

Unfortunately, the victim later succumbed to injuries and died while on admission.

”She added, “The Police have located Cynthia, who is currently receiving medical treatment at a hospital due to injuries she also sustained during the incident.

She is also heavily pregnant with the deceased’s child.“

Due to her critical condition, she is unable to provide a detailed account of the incident, but will do so when her condition is stable.“

The probable cause of the fire incident is yet to be ascertained, and a thorough investigation has been launched to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident.”

The State Police image maker said the State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, urges the public to remain calm, peaceful, assuring that justice would be served in this tragic incident.

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Police Nab 8, Rescue Kidnap Victims, Uncover Arms Cache

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……As IGP Reaffirms Commitment To Intelligence-Led Policing.

The Nigeria Police has again recorded significant successes in the fight against cultism, violent crimes, gunrunning, and kidnapping across Delta, Katsina, Adamawa and Edo states.

This comes in a series of coordinated intelligence-led operations in Edo State, on 26th June 2025.

Two individuals; Godday Irieude and Wisdom Emeka were abducted from their farm in Ewatto area at about 1:00 AM.

Police operatives in synergy with local vigilante groups, trailed the abductors to their hideout and launched a coordinated rescue operation.

The kidnappers upon sighting police operatives, engaged them in a fierce gun duel.

However, the superior fire power of the operative caused the kidnappers to flee with various degree of gun shot injuries, leading to the rescue of the kidnapped victims unhurt.

Similarly, Police operatives attached to the Delta State Command, acting on credible intelligence and a search warrant, stormed a residence in Mosogar area occupied by two suspected cultists; Koko Josh (29) and Asomugha Clinton (27).

A thorough search of their premises lead to the recovery of 1 fabricated Baretta pistol loaded with two rounds of live ammunition, two locally made guns, eight live cartridges, multiple mobile phones, a laptop and fetish items.

Follow-up investigation led to the arrest of two additional suspects; Anthony Kelvin (26) and Gift Amotsuka (25) all confirmed to be members of Aiye Confraternity.

In a separate operation executed in Okpanam area of Delta State, police operatives arrested two suspects; Ekene Chroma (36) and Okafor Jonathan (18) in possession of two English-made single-barrel guns and 110 live cartridges.

Preliminary investigations revealed their involvement in illegal arms dealing, acting as suppliers and couriers for wanted criminals.

In a separate operation in Funtua, Katsina State, operatives of the Force Intelligence Department – Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) apprehended one Yunusa Ishaku (40) in possession of two stolen vehicles (a Toyota Hiace bus and a Toyota Camry).

During interrogation, the suspect confessed to his role in a nationwide vehicle theft ring targeting Abuja, Jos, and other cities, with stolen vehicles being conveyed to Niger Republic for resale.

He further revealed the locations of three additional stolen vehicles( Honda accord, Toyota carina II, Toyota camry 98) in Zamfara and Bauchi States. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend his accomplices and recover more stolen exhibits.

In another related development, acting on credible intelligence, operatives of the FID-IRT arrested one Alhaji Iya Bima, a 52-year-old man from Kem Shithem LGA, Adamawa State in possession of One AK-47 rifle, Two magazines and Fifty rounds of live 7.62×39 mm ammunition.

Further interrogation led to the recovery of additional Ak-47 rifle, 3 magazines and 50 rounds of ammunition.

All suspects would be arraigned before the court of law upon completion of investigation

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, once again reaffirms the resolve of the Nigeria Police Force to intensify intelligence-driven policing, disrupt criminal syndicates causing unrest across the country.

The Force urges members of the public to remain vigilant, support police operations, and report suspicious activities via dedicated emergency lines or to the nearest police station.

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