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.
More than 23 terrorists have been killed in renewed fighting between rival Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) factions in the Sambisa Forest area of Borno State, security sources say.
The latest clashes erupted around the Chingolo axis of Bama Local Government Area after Boko Haram fighters attacked ISWAP members advancing into the area. The fighting forms part of a fresh wave of hostilities that began about two days ago.
A video obtained by Zagazola Makama shows sustained exchanges of fire as both groups tried to consolidate positions and block the other from expanding influence inside the forest.
Preliminary intelligence puts the death toll at more than 23 on both sides since the latest round began, though exact figures for each faction could not be independently verified.
The violence underscores the ongoing rivalry between Boko Haram and ISWAP over territory, access routes, resources and control of fighters in Sambisa Forest and surrounding areas. The confrontation has further weakened both groups and disrupted their activities in a long-standing insurgent stronghold.
Security forces are closely monitoring the situation and exploiting intelligence on the factions’ movements. The military continues to target terrorist concentrations, logistics networks and hideouts across the North-East as part of efforts to degrade the insurgents.
Officials have urged communities near the forest to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movements. The situation remains fluid, with further clashes possible as both sides seek to reposition and reinforce their fighters.
Watch video below:
The Kogi State Police Command has confirmed that 10 of the 15 National Youth Service Corps members abducted by suspected bandits along the Aloma–Egane Expressway in Ofu Local Government Area have been rescued.
Commissioner of Police Naziru Bello Kankarofi said security operatives are combing surrounding forests and intensifying efforts to free the remaining victims.
He dismissed reports that the 10 rescued corps members were among the 11 persons freed during a joint security operation last week, clarifying that those earlier rescued were other travellers caught up in the same kidnapping incident.
The commissioner added that several suspects have been arrested in connection with the attack.
Watch the video below:
Suspected terrorists killed four people, abducted four others and injured several more in an attack on Gorau town in Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State on Wednesday night.
The attackers invaded the community around 9pm and shot 11 residents, according to the village head, Alhaji Aliyu Magaji Na-Batsami. Seven of those shot survived and were rushed to hospital for treatment, while four died instantly.
The assault came barely six days after a boat accident claimed 65 lives in the same community. Na-Batsami said the terrorists specifically targeted families of the boat mishap victims over the N1 million relief money donated by the Sokoto State Government to each bereaved family. He said the bandits went from house to house searching for the cash.
Bashir Usman Gorau, the member representing Gada/Goronyo Federal Constituency, confirmed the incident and offered condolences to the affected families.
Efforts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer of the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmad Rufai, were unsuccessful as calls were not returned at the time of filing this report.
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