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.
as Kidnappers Demand Release of Gang Membersetired Major General Rabe Abubakar has died while in captivity after being abducted by kidnappers, the Katsina State Ministry of Internal Security has announced.
The retired senior officer passed away from complications arising from diabetes and hypertension while being held alongside his wife, Amina Abubakar.
The couple was kidnapped within Matazu Local Government Area while travelling to Katsina.
A video recently circulated online showed the retired army general nursing a wound on his left foot during his time in captivity.
Reports indicate that the mastermind of the abduction demanded the release of three members of his gang, as well as some cattle, as conditions for freeing the couple.
The tragic development comes amid ongoing security challenges in parts of the North-West region.
Suspected bandits have killed 19 people and injured 12 others in a fresh attack on Gora Namaye district in Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
According to Bello Hussaini, the councilor representing the Faru/Magami ward, the attackers stormed the community on motorcycles in large numbers and opened sporadic fire on residents, mostly farmers.
Hussaini said the bandits initially killed 18 people during the assault. One of the injured victims later succumbed to injuries, bringing the death toll to 19.
Efforts to get confirmation from the Zamfara State Police Command proved unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
The Nigerian Army has confirmed that an unauthorised incursion by Cameroonian Armed Forces personnel into Danare Community in Boki Local Government Area of Cross River State is now fully under control.
According to a statement issued by the 82 Division Nigerian Army, troops stationed at the Forward Operating Base in Danare swiftly responded on June 9, 2026, after reports of the foreign military presence reached them. The Nigerian forces immediately contacted their Cameroonian counterparts, leading to the peaceful withdrawal of the Cameroonian troops from Nigerian territory in line with established border protocols. The situation was contained without any escalation or confrontation.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the incident stemmed from a dispute over the collection of levies on farmland situated between Danare Community in Nigeria and Dadi Community in Cameroon.
In a bid to strengthen bilateral relations and prevent recurrence, the General Officer Commanding 82 Division has directed the Commander of 13 Brigade to engage his Cameroonian counterpart. The planned visit aims to enhance border coordination, clarify operational procedures, and build confidence between the two militaries.
The Division reassured residents of Danare and surrounding areas that the situation is calm and under full control, with troops maintaining heightened vigilance along the border.
“Residents of Danare and adjoining areas are reassured that the situation is calm and fully under control,” the statement added.
The Army urged members of the public to remain calm, go about their lawful activities, and avoid spreading unverified information that could cause unnecessary tension in the area.
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