Crime
NDLEA Seizes Drugs Hidden in Frozen Snails and Electrical Bulbs
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted multiple consignments of illicit drugs concealed in frozen snails, electrical bulbs, and female clothing destined for the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
According to a statement released on Sunday by NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi, the seizures were made at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) and a courier company in Lagos. Two suspects have been arrested in connection with the operations.
On October 7, 2025, a cargo agent, Boladale Riliwan, was arrested after authorities discovered 15 parcels of skunk cannabis hidden inside 10 giant rechargeable electrical bulbs in a carton prepared for airfreight to the Democratic Republic of Congo at the Lagos airport export shed.
On October 12, Olawale Hakeemot, a 48-year-old UK-based public health assistant, was detained at MMIA’s Terminal 2 departure hall. She was found with 2,300 tramadol 225mg pills concealed in frozen snails while attempting to board a Qatar Airways flight to Manchester, United Kingdom.
Additionally, NDLEA officers thwarted another attempt by a syndicate to export 810 bromazepam pills hidden in female clothes bound for the United States at a Lagos courier company on October 16.
In Adamawa State, a suspect identified as Bello Buba was intercepted at an NDLEA checkpoint in Namtari, Yola South Local Government Area, on October 12. Authorities recovered 38,270 tramadol pills hidden in the spare tire, boot, and door compartments of his Honda Civic, which he reportedly drove from the Benin Republic to smuggle the drugs into Nigeria.
In a separate operation in Ekiti State, NDLEA operatives destroyed 53,250 kilograms of cannabis cultivated over 21.3 hectares of farmland in Ilawe-Ekiti, recovering an additional 1,140 kilograms packed in 70 bags. Three suspects—Matthew Emmanuel (26), James Moses (27), and Israel Samuel (20)—were arrested during the October 12–13 operation.
Similarly, 17,400 kilograms of cannabis were destroyed on 6.96 hectares of farmland in the Aponmu forest reserve, Akure, Ondo State, on October 12.
In Oyo State, several arrests were made on October 16, including Aliyu Muhammed (50), Babarinde Segun (32), Ogunbiyi Sanjo (30), and Ajani Oluro (30), who were caught with 596 kilograms of skunk cannabis at Apata-Ako, Igboora. Additionally, Jacob Afolabi (30) and Salako Oluwatobi (25) were arrested with 273 kilograms of skunk at Odo-Oyan, Igangan.
In Ogun State, Joseph Andrew was arrested with 88 kilograms of cannabis at Ona-Imeko on October 15, while in Imo State, 42-year-old Festus Udoh was caught with 13,000 opioid pills along the Onitsha-Owerri Road.
Enugu authorities recovered 74.5 kilograms of cannabis from the store of Joseph Chukwujamaa at Umuogbo-Agu village on October 18. In Lagos, 11 bags of cannabis weighing 117 kilograms were seized from the residence of Ramoni Olukowi in Mushin on the same day.
Furthermore, NDLEA intercepted 80,000 bottles of codeine-based syrup in a container arriving from India during a joint examination with Customs and other security agencies at Apapa port on October 14.
Also notable was the arrest of Ejiofor, who operates boutiques in Lagos and Onitsha, Anambra State. He was detained upon arrival from Bangkok, Thailand, on Ethiopian Airlines flight ET 941 on October 8, 2025, following credible intelligence.
The NDLEA continues its crackdown on drug trafficking networks to safeguard public health and security.
Crime
JUST IN: Terrorists Invade Kaduna Wedding Ceremony, Kill 13 Guests In Late-Night Attack
At least 13 people have been killed and several others abducted after heavily armed terrorists invaded a wedding ceremony in Kahir village, Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
According to reports, the attack occurred around 11:47pm on Sunday when the assailants, wielding AK-47 rifles, stormed the venue and opened fire on guests.
A resident of Kagarko, Shehu Bala, said the attackers arrived in large numbers and began shooting indiscriminately inside the wedding hall.
“They came in their numbers and started shooting sporadically at people,” Bala said. “Some of the victims who sustained gunshot injuries were rushed to Kagarko General Hospital, while two others with severe injuries were taken to Kaduna.
He added that the exact number of those abducted remains unclear due to the chaos that followed the attack.
“In fact, there are two of my friends who were inside the hall that also sustained bullet injuries during the attack,” he said. “But one cannot ascertain the number of those that were kidnapped because of the sporadic shootings.
”A community leader, who requested anonymity, also confirmed the incident, listing some of the victims killed in the attack.
They include Bako Danjuma, Williams Luka, Peter Williams, Joseph Yakubu, Victor Peter, John Dan Asabe, Angulu Markus, Maikano Aribi, Douglas John, Ado Yakubu, Zaphaniah Alhaji, Joseph Kaddah, and Francis Unguwa Doya.
Meanwhile, the police at the Kagarko Division confirmed the attack, noting that authorities are still working to determine the number of those kidnapped.
The Kaduna State Police Command spokesperson, DSP Hassan Mansur, also confirmed the killings and abductions but said details were still sketchy.
Crime
12 killed in Plateau attack
At least 12 people were killed when armed gunmen attacked Angwan Rukuba community in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State on Sunday night, March 29, 2026.
The Plateau State Police Command confirmed the incident, stating that the victims comprised 10 men and two women. Several others sustained injuries during the assault.
In a statement, Commissioner of Police CP Bassey Ewah expressed condolences to the affected families and the people of Angwan Rukuba, describing the attack as unfortunate.
Security forces have launched investigations to identify and apprehend the perpetrators.The state government has condemned the “barbaric” killings and imposed a 48-hour curfew in Jos North to restore calm and prevent further violence, as panic and tension gripped residents following the incident.
This latest attack adds to the recurring security challenges in Plateau State, where communities continue to face threats from gunmen amid ongoing efforts by security agencies to restore peace in the region.
Residents have been urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the authorities as investigations continue.
Crime
Vietnam Police Dismantle Multi-Billion Dollar Cryptocurrency Fraud Operation
Vietnamese authorities have busted what officials describe as one of the country’s largest cryptocurrency scams, arresting key suspects in a multi-billion dollar Ponzi-style scheme that allegedly defrauded thousands of investors both domestically and overseas.
The operation, centered around a fraudulent digital token known as Paynet Coin (PAYN), was dismantled by police in Phu Tho province in August 2025. Authorities charged at least 20 individuals, including the alleged ringleader, Nguyen Van Ha, a 45-year-old entrepreneur and founder linked to the Hahalolo platform.
According to reports from local state media, including Công an Nhân dân, the suspects operated an illegal multi-level marketing (MLM) network disguised as a legitimate cryptocurrency investment platform.
Victims were lured with promises of high returns through the Paynet Coin scheme, which authorities labeled as the biggest crypto fraud uncovered in Vietnam to date. The operation reportedly spanned multiple provinces and attracted investors from abroad.
Police seized evidence related to the scheme and charged the suspects with fraud and organizing illegal MLM activities. Estimates of the total scale have varied in reports, with some describing losses in the billions of dollars, though exact figures for victim losses and assets recovered have not been fully disclosed publicly.
This bust is part of a broader crackdown on cryptocurrency-related crimes in Vietnam, where digital asset trading has grown rapidly in recent years but has also attracted scammers exploiting regulatory gaps.
Other recent cases include arrests tied to platforms like ONUS and HanaGold for alleged price manipulation, as well as smaller scams involving fake exchanges and investment schemes totaling millions of dollars.
Vietnamese law enforcement has intensified efforts against online fraud, Ponzi schemes, and unlicensed crypto operations amid a surge in investor complaints. Officials have warned the public to exercise caution with high-yield crypto investments promising unrealistic returns.
The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities urging additional victims to come forward. This case highlights the risks in Vietnam’s booming but largely unregulated crypto market, where millions of citizens hold digital assets.
No further details on trial dates or additional arrests have been released as of the latest reports.
-
Business1 day agoGovernor Otti Commissions Ultimum Manufacturing Plant in Aba
-
Sports1 day agoCAF appoints Nigeria’s Samson Adamu as acting secretary general
-
News21 hours agoPresident Tinubu at 74, Donates Salaries to Armed Forces Welfare Fund
-
Politics21 hours agoPDP will contest 2027 polls, says Wike
-
Politics2 days agoJUST IN: Kwankwaso Set to Join ADC on Monday
-
Business20 hours agoOPay launches new office in Jos
-
News12 hours agoLagos High Court Embraces Full Digital Transformation with Mandatory E-Filing
-
Crime12 hours ago12 killed in Plateau attack
