Metro News

NDLEA arrests fake soldier with drugs, ATM, SIM cards for bandits

Published

3 years ago

October 4, 2021

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Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA ) have arrested a suspected fake soldier, Hayatu Galadima, and his accomplice, Hamisu Adamu, while allegedly conveying drugs, ammunition and communication equipment to bandits in Kaduna State.

The two suspects were reportedly arrested by a patrol team of NDLEA officers on Gwagwalada Expressway in Abuja on Friday, September 30, 2021.

A statement on Sunday by NDLEA’s Director of Media & Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, said 21 RLA 7.45mm ammunition concealed in water bottles; 16 packs of new two-way radios (walkie-talkie), and four army head masks, were among items recovered from Galadima.

Others were a wallet containing an army ID card; one USD, two FCMB, one First Bank, one Ecobank, one UBA, and one Skye Bank ATM cards; wraps of cannabis sativa; tablets of tramadol; three MTN, two 9mobile and one Airtel SIM cards.

According to Babafemi, one iPhone 12 Pro; one Samsung A31; one Nokia phone; seven NA pass letters; five handbags and one Bagco bag, containing personal belongings, as well as a gallon of palm oil, were also found on him.

READ India-bound Kingsley Celestino nabbed with 9.40kg heroin concealed in bags' false bottom at Lagos Airport

Galadima, who claimed to be a Lance Corporal serving in Ibadan, Oyo State, said they were taking the exhibits to Kaduna and Kano.

“Preliminary investigation, however, indicates that the suspects may have contact with bandits in the North-West and were possibly moving the ammunition and the two-way radios to bandits who are presently excommunicated due to the suspension of telecommunication services in Zamfara, Sokoto and Kaduna states,” Babafemi said.

In a related development, a final-year student of Fine Arts and Design at the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Mario Okiwelu, has been arrested for allegedly importing from the United States of America five variants of liquid cannabis weighing 49.6grams.

According to the NDLEA, Okiwelu was arrested through a controlled delivery along with his accomplice, Precious Awuse, on Monday, September 27, 2021, around the NIPOST area, Port Harcourt.

Also, narcotic officers of the NDLEA attached to some courier firms in Lagos reportedly seized different sizes of illicit drugs, including 40g of cocaine concealed in a University of Uyo degree certificate, and going to Australia.

READ Chinese loans to Nigeria stands at $3.59b, says DMO

Other items were 280g of cannabis hidden in body cream bottles going to Cyprus; 400g of tramadol tucked in plastic bottles heading for Australia and 1kg of Methamphetamine concealed in auto parts with Hong Kong as its destination.

Operatives in Kaduna were also said to have arrested a widow, Aliya Idris, on Saturday, September 25, in the house of a wanted drug dealer, Shamsu Boda, on Joji Road, Tudun Wada, Zaria.

Babafemi said, “She was arrested during an operation at Shamsu Boda’s house. Found in her possession were 30 bottles of cough syrup with codeine and 20 sachets of Rophynol with a gross weight of 4.2kg and 77.5g, respectively.”

Metro News

South Africa police arrest 8 Nigerians over attack on officers during drug raid

Published

1 hour ago

April 19, 2024

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The South African police have arrested eight Nigerians for allegedly attacking officers during a drug raid.

In a statement issued on Friday, the police said the suspects were arrested in the Northern Cape province.

The police said the suspects also damaged vehicles and other property.

“At the time of the arrest, police were tracing information of one of the Nigerian nationals being in possession of drugs,” the statement reads.

“While conducting this search, a large group of Nigerians attacked police. Police fired rubber bullets to disperse the crowd.

“One suspect was arrested for illegal possession of drugs, and three suspects were arrested for public violence and detained at Kimberley Police Station.

“During processing, the suspects broke windows at the station. Additional charges of malicious damage to property were added.

“Another group of Nigerians later approached the Police Station and threatened to retaliate.

“The Operational Commander warned the group to disperse.

READ NDLEA arrests notorious drug lord while giving mule 93 wraps of cocaine to swallow inside Lagos hotel

“However, upon dispersing, the group damaged police vehicles. Another four suspects were arrested for malicious damage to property.”

Koliswa Otola, police commissioner for the province, commended officers for the arrest of the suspects.

Otola condemned acts of violence against law enforcement agents, saying those who prevent police from exercising their duties “will be dealt with harshly”.

“We will not allow such lawless behaviour,” the commissioner said.

“We are processing the suspects and working with Home Affairs to determine if they are legally or illegally in the country.

“Police will continue to stamp the authority of the state in the Northern Cape Province.”

Metro News

Police arrest grandma for locking up three children in Lagos

Published

2 hours ago

April 19, 2024

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Police operatives in Lagos State have arrested a grandmother for locking up three of her grandchildren.

The spokesman of the Lagos State Police Command Benjamin Hundeyin said the suspect’s neighbours alerted them about the development.

“All thanks to vigilant neighbours who alerted the police, these children were rescued by police officers from Ikotun Division after being locked up in a room for days by their grandmother,” he said in a post on his official X handle on Friday.

“The children are now in safe hands while their grandmother is in police custody. An investigation is ongoing. See something, say something!”

The children comprising a girl and two boys, looked malnourished from the photos he shared online.

READ Chinese loans to Nigeria stands at $3.59b, says DMO

Metro News

UPDATED: EFCC declares Yahaya Bello wanted over N80bn ‘financial crime’

Published

1 day ago

April 18, 2024

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared Yahaya Bello, former governor of Kogi state, wanted over alleged N80 billion financial crimes.

The anti-graft commission has asked anyone with useful information on Bello’s whereabouts to contact the commission or the nearest police station.

“The public is hereby notified that YAHAYA ADOZA BELLO (former Governor of Kogi State), whose photograph appears above is wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in connection with alleged case of Money Laundering to the tune of N80,246,470,089.88 (Eighty Billion, Two Hundred and Forty Six Million, Four Hundred and Seventy Thousand and Eighty Nine Naira, Eighty Eight Kobo),” statement reads.

“Bello, 48-year old Ebiraman, is a native of Okenne Local Government of Kogi State. His last known address is: 9, Benghazi Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja.

“Anybody with useful information as to his whereabouts should please contact the Commission in its Ibadan, Enugu, Kano, Lagos, Gombe, Port Harcourt and Abuja offices.”

READ Youths beat two widows to death over witchcraft allegation in C-River

On Wednesday, some EFCC operatives barricaded Bello’s Abuja residence.

Some hours after, Usman Ododo, governor of Kogi, arrived at Bello’s residence and was said to have left with the former governor in his vehicle.

But Abdulwahab Muhammed, Bello’s lawyer, said his client was in his state when the EFCC operatives besieged his residence.

Bello was absent in court earlier today when the EFCC arraigned him.

His arraignment came after a warrant of arrest and enrolment order was granted to the EFCC by the court on Wednesday.

“It is needful to state that Bello is not above the law and would be brought to justice as soon as possible,” EFCC said in a statement on Wednesday.

The federal high court in Abuja adjourned the case against Bello, Alli Bello, chief of staff to Usman Ododo, governor of Kogi; and one Daudu Suleiman, to April 23.