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In a Week, NDLEA Seized Cocaine, Heroine Worth Billions of Naira at Lagos Airport

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Buba Marwa

In a week, at least, hard drugs, Cocaine, narcotics worth over N30 billion was seized at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, senior officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have made this figures public knowledge.

Before taking possession of the hard drugs, the new Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, former Military administrator of Lagos, Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa had pledged to dismantle drug trafficking and syndication cartels across Nigeria, warning those who indulge in illicit deal to desist from it.

 

Officials of the agency, who claimed anonymity divulged to newsmen giving a detailed account of hard drugs that were seized and drug dealers that were arrested just after President Muhammadu Buhari appointed Marwa as NDLEA’s chief.

 

 

In a private conversation with Journalist, an NDLEA official said; one of the seized parcels, weighing 26.840 kilograms of cocaine “is the biggest single seized from an individual in the past 15 years.

“On January 27, at about 1320hours, during the inward clearance of Ethiopian Airline passengers at the E-arrival hall of Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, a female passenger by name Onyejegbu Ifesinachi Jennifer, 33 years, who arrived Nigeria from Sao Paulo, Brazil via Addis Ababa, was intercepted by NDLEA operatives.

“As a standard operating procedure, all passengers to and from high risk countries are always profiled using passengers’ manifest. It happened that the above-named suspect was targeted.

“Consequently, she was taken to NDLEA office at the Airport, where her bags were searched thoroughly, and in the process, whitish powdery substances were found concealed inside 16 pieces of duvet contained in her two travel bags.

“Field test was conducted on the recovered substances and proved positive for Cocaine and weighed 26.850kilograms. The suspect, who is a hair stylist and based in Brazil was interviewed and she confessed to have agreed to smuggle the hard drug for the sum of N2,000,000 only.

“Although she refused to disclose the names of her associates, she mentioned that she was asked to hand over the drugs to another person. The street value of this singular seizure is put at over N21 billion.”

“The official further disclosed that the development came on the heels of a similar one recorded two days earlier at the airport, precisely on January 25, 2021 when a red left-over luggage was declared to the NDLEA operatives as a left over at the E- arrival hall after the inward clearance of passengers on Ethiopian airline.

“Based on information on the luggage tag, the luggage arrived Nigeria from Sao Paulo, Brazil, a destination classified as high-risk country going by records and trends of arrest and seizures.

“Subsequently, the bag was transferred to the NDLEA ‘Legal Seat’ being the administrative office at the passenger terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, for detention.

“While this was going on, the NDLEA Commander at the MMIA, Ahmadu Garba received an intelligence report of a purported plan to clear a consignment containing hard drugs through the Lagos airport. Coincidentally, the details sent matched the bag earlier detained by the operatives at the Lagos airport.”

Another NDLEA official explained how an undercover agent was contacted by one Abubakar Aliyu. Guided by the operation and investigation unit, he said the undercover agent successfully lured the said Abubakar Aliyu into the cargo terminal of the airport where he was arrested.

He said the suspect revealed “to NDLEA operatives that another person was on his way to receive the bag based on the instruction of his sender, whose name he gave as Ikechukwu Eze.

“As a result, one Emmanuel Iyke Aniebonam, who was to receive the bag was also arrested at NAHCO. During a preliminary interview by a team of investigators, Emmanuel confessed that he was instructed by one Ikechukwu to receive the consignment.

“Emmanuel was again set up to lure in Ikechukwu Eze but rather than showing up to get the consignment from Emmanuel, he sent another who said he was mandated to receive the consignment from him, and they agreed to meet at Ibis Royal Hotel, a few miles away from the airport.”

He said a follow-up operation was quickly organised “to the hotel, where one Onwurah Kelvin was arrested and brought to the office. The suspect confessed during the interview that he was sent by one Ikechukwu to receive the consignment.”

Thereafter, the source claimed that the detained bag was opened in the presence of all the three suspects, whitish powdery substances were discovered neatly concealed and sewn inside five children’s duvets.

According to him, a field test was carried out on the exhibits proving they are cocaine weighing 8.400 kilograms, with a street value of over N7 billion

It was further learnt that on January 24, at about 1200 hours, one Edosa Christopher was arrested at the passengers screening point of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos and subjected to body scan, which proved positive for hard drugs ingestion.

According to the anti-drug law enforcement agency, “The suspect was immediately transferred to NDLEA/JBTF office and placed on excretion observation. Subsequently, he excreted a total of 68 wraps of substance, which were tested and proved positive to heroin. It also weighed 950 grams.

During an interview, Edosa Christopher confessed to have bought the illicit substance at the cost of N800, 000 from someone he referred to as ‘Paddy’.

According to the suspect, he met the said Paddy at Eagle Rock hotel around Ago Palace Way in Lagos, where he lodged for a brief stay. Further investigation however revealed that the hotel does not exist anywhere in Lagos.

An official at the national headquarters of the NDLEA in Abuja, who confirmed the development said the chairman of the agency, Marwa had already commended the MMIA, Lagos commander, Ahmadu Garba and his team for their efforts and following up on his directives at a meeting with all the commanders in charge of the 36 states, FCT and special commands.

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Kindness Defeats Witchcraft: Apostle Suleman’s Cross-Over Lecture at ‘Mercy Night’

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Evil is very much alive and well in this world. We are reminded of this fact as we see it play out almost often. Although evil occurs and serves as a stark reminder of the cruelty that exists within humankind, showing kindness can easily defeat evil acts, which is witchcraft, lectures popular servant of God and General Overseer of the Omega Fire Ministries (OFM) worldwide, Apostle Johnson Suleman.

 

At the ministry’s Cross-Over service on Tuesday 31st of December, 2024 tagged ‘Mercy Night’, the Restoration Apostle, ably present with his wife, Reverend Lizzy Suleman, warned us to “never avenge ourselves”. To the contrary, Apostle Suleman cautions; “do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good”.

 

Usually, the natural response of man when he is hurt is to hurt back. But, Suleman says “God tells us something different”, quoting Romans 12:19–21: “Vengeance is mine, I will repay. If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

 

According to the servant of God, not only should you refuse to take revenge, but you should intentionally do good to those who you would consider your enemies. Showing them love and kindness would so confuse and frustrate your enemy that the result would be them turning to God.

“If you want to see witchcraft being rubbished in your life, engage In kindness. To recover means to regaining possession. To recover means a comeback, the return of control. To recover means to improve and to become better. To recover is renewal,” Suleman teaches, suggesting that hate must not define us.

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Agbado Youths Celebrate Historic Succession, Rally Support for Prince Akintoye as King

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Agbado Community in Ogun State erupted in jubilation on December 27, 2024, as the youths led the town in a grand end-of-year celebration to honor the historic succession of the late patriarch, High Chief Anthony Kayode Akinrinade, by his son, Prince Akintoye Olusola Akinrinade.

The event marked a significant milestone in Agbado’s journey toward justice and stability following a prolonged Obaship crisis that stifled the community’s development for over three decades. The crisis, marked by legal battles and defiance of court orders with suit number CA/IB/75/2020, was recently resolved by the steadfast judgment of the Court of Appeal, Ibadan Division. The court ruled in favor of Prince Akintoye Olusola as the rightful successor, allowing him to continue the legal fight to restore order and dignity to Agbado.

 

For 35 years, Agbado thrived as a hub of agricultural trade and economic prosperity, with 147 villages under its jurisdiction. However, internal strife caused by selfish ambitions led to stagnation and disunity. The High Court delivered a landmark judgment five years ago, but resistance by a self-proclaimed monarch delayed the community’s progress.

On the 30th of October, 2024, the Court of Appeal officially recognized Prince Akintoye Olusola Akinrinade as the ‘Stand-In’ Plaintiff, a move that has rekindled hope for the community. This recognition also symbolizes a continuation of the legacy of the late High Chief Anthony Akinrinade, whose leadership was revered by all.

The festive event, organized by the Agbado Youth Forum, drew dignitaries, elders, chiefs, and community leaders. Baale Patoko, a key figure in the community, expressed optimism about the succession, stating, “The whole of Agbado strongly believes that by 2025, Prince Akintoye will be crowned king, bringing renewed peace and progress to our land.”

Pa Theophilus Amodu, a respected elder, praised Prince Akintoye’s exemplary character, noting, “He has taken after his father in good deeds and enjoys the trust and respect of the people.”

Mr. Amodu, President of the Agbado Youth Forum, echoed this sentiment, affirming the unwavering support of the youth for Prince Akintoye’s emergence as king. “His leadership will undoubtedly usher in peace, harmony, and development in Agbado,” he said.

The event concluded with renewed hope and determination among the people of Agbado, who are confident that Prince Akintoye’s ascension to the throne will mark the beginning of a new era for the community.

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Ex banker, Femi Olushakin, others arraigned for alleged armed robbery

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A former banker turned businessman, Olufemi Olalekan Olushakin alongside two others on Thursday were arraigned before the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Ibadan, Oyo State for alleged robbery.

Olushakin —now at large— and the two suspects — Ayomide Akanbi and David Adewale— were alleged to have conspired to commit felony to-wit armed robbery and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 6 (B) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provision) Act Cap RII Vol. 14 Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 2004.

In the case with Charge number: MI/1672C (Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Vs. Ayomide Akanbi, M, 32 and David Adewole, M, 47): “Count 1: That you (1) Ayomide Akanbi ‘M’ (2) David Adewole ‘M’ and one Olusakin Olufemi Olalekan ‘M’ now at large on 13th December, 2024 at about 5:00pm at Global Signature Hotel, New Gbagi Road, Ibadan in the Ibadan Magisterial District did conspire together to commit felony to-wit Armed Robbery and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 6 (B) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provision) Act Cap R II Vol. 14 Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 2004.

“Count 11: That you (1) Ayomide Akanbi ‘M’ (2) David Adewole ‘M’ and one Olusakin Olufemi Olalekan ‘M’ now at large on the same date, time and place in the above Magisterial District while armed yourselves with guns and some other dangerous weapons did attack one Akinola Dare ‘M’ and also dispossessed him of cash sum of Two Million, One Hundred and Forty Thousand Naira (N2,140,000.00) only, property of Global Signature Hotel Limited and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 1 (2) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provision) Act Cap R II Vol. 14 laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 2004.”

The Police Prosecutor, Inspector Kefas Usman told court that Olushakin —a former branch manager with a second generation bank and now Chairman of LAC Autos & Spare Ltd.— alongside Akanbi, Adewale and others on the night of Friday, December 13, allegedly forcefully gained entrance into Global Signature Hotel in Ibadan by disarming the security men at the gate.

Usman stated that the suspects made forceful and unlawful entry into the hotel, went straight to the control room, destroyed the CCTV memory and cut off the CCTV machine.

“After vandalizing it, they went to the POS machine, took the machines of the company, went to the manager of the hotel, one Dare Akinola, at gunpoint took him to the cash registry to collect all the sales of the week including room sales, lodgment, bar & hall payment totalling over N2,140,000 (Two million, One hundred and forty thousand Naira).

“They went to all the rooms, rounded up all the customers, and forcefully asked them to transfer money into Olushakin’s personal account during the robbery.

“At gunpoint, they gathered everybody to the reception, laid them down at gunpoint and in fear of their lives, the customers made cash transfers to Olushakin’s accounts, they vandalized some other things, took the lodgment book, computers, and other equipment.”

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs. Giwa Babalola, ordered that the suspects should be remanded at the Agodi Correctional Center in Ibadan.

She adjourned the case till January 29, 2025 for further mention.

However, with Olushakin’s absence during the arraignment, the Oyo State Police Command has launched a manhunt for him with a bounty of N5 million placed on him to the public for anybody with useful information leading to arrest.

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