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NDLEA destroys skunk farms after gun battle inside Edo forest, arrests fake police inspector, recovers rifles (PHOTOS)

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Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have stormed the Ujiogba Forest Reserve in Esan West LGA, Edo State where they destroyed 7,286 kilograms of warehoused skunk and five hectares of its plantation.

According to the NDLEA’s head of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the special operation carried out on Wednesday, February 22, followed credible intelligence that some cartels had warehoused hundreds of jumbo bags of the illicit substance inside the thick forest of the reserve for distribution to some states ahead of the general elections.

Babafemi said, “The operation could however not go on immediately until after several roadblocks set up by armed guards of the drug lords were cleared and they were overpowered by the superior firepower of Strike Force officers of the agency in a gun duel.

“After the initial resistance, two rifles, spent cartridges of guns and an empty shell of an AK47 rifle were recovered while a 24-year-old suspect, Calvary Essien, was arrested.

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“After the gun fight, the NDLEA operatives in their numbers successfully descended on a big warehouse constructed with wood and zinc containing 100 jumbo bags of cannabis sativa weighing 3.2 tons, 5,000 bags of cannabis weighing 65 tons, and 137 bags of cannabis seeds weighing 4.66 tons, totalling 72.86 tons. Seven bags of cannabis and one bag of its seeds were subsequently taken out of the warehouse for further investigation and prosecution of suspects while the rest was set ablaze.”

Babafemi further noted that this is coming on the heels of a similar operation on Wednesday, January 18 in the Opuje forest in Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State where massive warehouses and tents storing over 317,417 kilograms of the psychoactive substance were destroyed and set ablaze in a two-day operation.

He added, “At least, a police impersonator, Omoruan Theophilus, 37, who was parading as a police Inspector to convey the drugs from the forests to the cities and three others Aigberuan Jacob, 42, Ekeinde Zaza, 53, and Naomi Ohiewere, 42, were arrested in connection with the drugs.”

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He added that in his reaction to the latest operation in Ujiogba forest, the Chairman, NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.) commended all the officers involved in the effort and all the almost 10,000 officers, men and women deployed across the country in the pre-election renewed offensive action to clear every part of the country of illicit substances for use by thugs and miscreants before, during and after the elections.

“He said taking the battle to the doorsteps of the cartels deep in the forests is to attack the menace of drug supply from the source and to also send the right message to the barons that there is no safe haven for them and their investments anywhere in Nigeria.” Babafemi noted.

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Kidnappers of retired Major General release video, demand cows, members’ release

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The abductors of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar, former Director of Defence Information, and his wife has released a video of the couple in captivity.

It would be recalled that the couple were abducted along the Marabar Musawa–Kafinsoli road in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State, near Zakin Baure village.

In the four-minute video circulated on social media on Saturday, the wife of the retired general was seen conveying the abductors’ demands.

The demands included the release of three of their members identified as Sani, Aminu and Nasiru, as well as the return of livestock allegedly seized from them.

According to her account, two of the detained individuals were arrested in Jikamshi while the third was arrested in Kano.

She also appealed to the Katsina State Government and leaders of five local government areas to facilitate compliance with the demands to secure their release.

The retired general, who spoke briefly in the video, called for efforts to ensure peace, adding that the abductors had expressed interest in dialogue and peaceful coexistence.

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The notorious bandit leader, Kachallah Muhammad, who operates in parts of Katsina State, had reportedly established communication with the family of the retired general, according to a report by Daily Trust.

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Police uncover gun factory in Yobe, arrest seven suspects

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Operatives of the Yobe state command of the Nigeria Police Force have uncovered an illegal firearms fabrication factory in Potiskum, Yobe State.

The Command’s spokesman, SP Dungus Abdulkarim, in a press statement, confirmed that seven suspects were arrested as part of the renewed strategies of the Commissioner of Police aimed at combating crime and criminality across the state.

“On June 2, 2026, at about 1800hrs, acting on credible intelligence, the Potiskum Area Command led a coordinated raid in collaboration with the Divisional Police Headquarters following reports that some blacksmiths were engaged in the illegal fabrication of Dane guns and other firearms.

“Police operatives swiftly mobilised to the scene, a blacksmith workshop located at Tasha Adua along Danchuwa Road, Potiskum. During the operation, seven suspects were arrested, and the following exhibits recovered,” the state read in part.

Abdulkarim added that fabricated pistols, 24 muzzle pipes, nine gun butts, four unserviceable Dane guns, one filing machine, and one sharp cutlass were recovered.

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He said that the suspects are currently undergoing thorough investigation with a view to identifying their collaborators, possible buyers, and the intended use of the fabricated firearms.

“The Commissioner of Police, CP Usman Kanfani Jibrin, has directed officers handling the case to intensify investigation, identify other illegal firearms fabrication centres within the area, and assess the level of security threat posed by such criminal activities.

“The Command further advises members of the public to refrain from allowing their premises or facilities to be used for unlawful activities, including the fabrication of dangerous weapons.

“Residents are urged to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements or activities to the nearest police station or other security agencies,” the statement added.

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NDLEA intercepts drugs concealed in water purifiers from Netherlands, arrests man with 380 rounds of military-grade ammunition

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Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have intercepted high-potency illicit drugs concealed in water purifier machines shipped from the Netherlands.

The discovery was made on May 26, 2026, at a courier company, where officers found 3 kilograms of ketamine and 199 grams of MDMA hidden inside the appliances.

Femi Babafemi, the Director, Media & Advocacy of NDLEA, in a statement released on Sunday, said, “Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have uncovered consignments of high potency illicit drugs concealed in water purifier machines shipped to Lagos from Netherlands.”

In another operation in Kaduna State, operatives arrested a couple, Musa Sunday and Mercy Sunday, alongside Salomi Ezekiel, after recovering 100 jumbo bags of skunk weighing 1,246 kilograms from their residence in Gonin Gora area on May 24.

On the same day, along the Abuja–Kaduna highway at Jere, officers intercepted Sunusi Musa, a 30-year-old suspect found with 380 rounds of 7.62mm military-grade ammunition, allegedly heading to Katsina State.

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The suspect and exhibits were handed over to the appropriate security agency for further investigation.

Babafemi said, “In Niger State, NDLEA operatives acting on intelligence raided a warehouse at Gidan Kukah, Bosso Local Government Area, on May 27, where 457 kilograms of skunk were recovered.

“A suspect, Godwin Zakka, was later arrested at his residence in Minna in connection with the seizure.

“In Enugu State, operatives on patrol along the Onitsha–Enugu expressway intercepted a commercial vehicle marked JAY-158-YF on May 28, recovering 22,000 tramadol pills, 100 ampoules of pentazocine and 200 grams of bromazepam. A suspect, James Maigari Wisdom, was arrested.”

The agency said its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaign continued nationwide alongside enforcement operations, with lectures held in schools and communities across Cross River, Taraba, Lagos and Anambra states, among others.

It said, “With the same zeal, Commands and formations of the Agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse sensitisation activities in schools, worship centres, work places and communities, among others.”

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Commending the operations, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), praised officers for sustaining both enforcement and preventive efforts and urged them to intensify the nationwide crackdown on drug trafficking networks.

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