Main Suspect, 5 others arrested as NDLEA smashes cocaine cartels behind 6 UK-bound shipments,
Main Suspect, 5 others arrested as NDLEA smashes cocaine cartels behind 6 UK-bound shipments,
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled two major drug cartels behind six different consignments of cocaine concealed in walls of stainless cups, body cream and hair gel containers
This is contained in a statement by the Director, Media and Advocacy NDLEA, Mr Femi Babafemi on Sunday in Abuja.
Babafemi said that the arrest followed series of intelligence led operations that lasted over three weeks across Lagos.
He said that the operation also led to the arrest of five suspects and ultimately the arrowhead of the syndicate, Alhaji Hammed Ode, who represented himself as a businessman and real estate developer.
The spokesman added that the beginning of the end of the criminal syndicate’s operations began on Sept. 16 when NDLEA operatives at the export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Ikeja Lagos intercepted 174 parcels of cocaine.
According to him, the drugs which weighed 13.40 kilograms were concealed in walls of cocoa butter body cream containers.
Babafemi said that a cargo agent was promptly arrested adding that further investigations revealed Alhaji Hammed Ode as the mastermind of the shipment.
According to him, after weeks of intelligence, it was established that the drug baron had reported a dispute at the Zone 2 headquarters of the Police in Lagos.
This, be said was after which the Agency sought the cooperation of the police to get the suspect into custody.
“During his preliminary interview, Alhaji Hammed Ode admitted ownership of the consignment which he claimed he bought at over N150 million.
“He claimed to be a businessman and estate developer following his return from the United Kingdom in 2024.
“He had lived for over 27 years in many European countries including Austria, Netherlands, France, Germany, and Saudi Arabia before settling in the UK,”Babafemi said.
In like manner, five other desperate attempts by another criminal syndicate to export cocaine consignments to the United Kingdom were also frustrated by operatives of the MMIA Strategic Command of NDLEA.
Babafemi said that the unravelling of the gang started on Sept. 26 following the seizure of cocaine weighing 2.10kg concealed in walls of hair cream containers at the export shed of the Lagos airport.
He said that the apprehension of a cargo agent led to the arrest of the consignor, Smith Korede, a furniture maker, on Tuesday, Sept. 30 at his 3 Arowojobe St., Mafoluku, Oshodi, Lagos base.
This, he said, was where another consignment of 1.40kg cocaine meant for export to the UK was recovered from him.
“Same day, another consignment of 1.00kg cocaine with similar mode of concealment also going to the UK was also intercepted at the export shed of the airport.
“The cargo agent arrested in connection with the 1.00kg cocaine also identified Smith Korede as the consignor, bringing to three the number of seized cocaine consignments linked to the suspect,” he said.
Babafemi said that two other cocaine laden consignments going to the UK were also intercepted by NDLEA operatives at the export shed of the MMIA on Thursday, Oct. 2.
He said that two suspects: Ogunbiyi Oluseye and Popoola Olumuyiwa linked to the seizures were promptly arrested.
“One of the consignments contains crayfish, and 12 pieces of stainless cups used to conceal 1.00kg cocaine.
“The second consignment also contains crayfish, and 36 containers of hair cream used to conceal 1.60kg of cocaine,”he said.(NAN)
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282 Passengers safe as plane makes emergency landing in Lagos
282 Passengers safe as plane makes emergency landing in Lagos
A Qatar Airways passenger plane on Friday made an emergency landing at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos after developing a technical fault mid-flight.
The aircraft, which had 248 passengers and 12 crew members on board, was forced to land abruptly after the malfunction was detected while it was operating within Nigerian airspace.
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) confirmed the incident in a statement released by its Permanent Secretary, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu.
According to him, the agency was alerted to the situation through its 767 and 112 toll-free emergency lines, prompting an immediate response from emergency officials.
He explained that upon receiving the distress call, the LASEMA Response Team (LRT) was swiftly deployed to the airport to assess the situation and provide necessary support.
“Upon arrival at the scene, the LASEMA Response Team confirmed that the aircraft was in distress,” the statement noted.
“The pilot executed a safe landing on the runway at Murtala Mohammed International Airport with LASEMA Response Team and other emergency responders standing by on extreme high alert on the runway.
“Collaborative efforts of the multi-agency responders were coordinated. After proper check by the pilot and the engineering crew, the aircraft was moved to the apron for detailed inspection and prompt repairs.”
“All passengers of the distressed airplane were evacuated safely; no injuries reported, no loss of lives,” the statement said.
Despite the technical issue and the emergency landing, the agency stated that there was the aircraft experienced no major damage.
“The aircraft has been secured on the apron. Recovery activities have been completed,” the statement added.
News
80 repentant militants surrender arms, assorted weapons to Nigerian Army
80 repentant militants surrender arms, assorted weapons to Nigerian Army
The Nigerian Army has confirmed the voluntary surrender of 80 militants in Cross River State under the amnesty programme of the state government.
The Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Headquarters 13 Brigade, Maj. Yemi Sokoya, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday.
Sokoya said that the militants surrendered in the early hours of Friday, at Atimbo Rear Area, following Operation OKWOK, in Akpabuyo Local Government Area, within the area of responsibility of the 13 Brigade.
According to him, the repentant militants emerged from two camps, with one group led by ThankGod Ebikontei, also known as Ayibanuagha, presenting 39 fighters.
He said that the second camp, headed by John Isaac, also known as Akpokolo, submitted 41 fighters.
Sokoya added that assorted arms, ammunition and other items, were also voluntarily surrendered during the exercise.
He said that these included: rifles, pump-action guns, single-barrel weapons, magazines, ammunition, speed boats, boat engines and other military-related equipment.
The Commander, 13 Brigade Nigerian Army, Brig.-Gen. Paul Alimikhena, described the development as a major confidence-building milestone.
He attributed it to sustained military operations, constructive engagement and effective collaboration with the Cross River State Government and other security agencies.
He said that the brigade would continue to provide a secure environment, while supporting lawful initiatives aimed at reintegrating repentant youths, and ensuring lasting peace across in the area.
The commander said that the surrendered militants had been handed over to the Cross River State Government’s Rapid Response Team and were undergoing profiling by the state’s Department of State Services (DSS).
He commended the State Government, under Gov. Bassey Otu, for its commitment to peace and security.
He also urged residents to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible information. (NAN)
News
My Husband wants to have s3x with me eight times everynight – Housewife cries for help
My Husband wants to have s3x with me eight times everynight – Housewife cries for help
A Harare woman, Melocia Gwata, has successfully obtained a court-issued protection order against her husband, George Kusotera, following allegations of excessive sexual demands and physical abuse.
The case was heard at the Harare Civil Court before Magistrate Judith Taruvinga, where Melocia detailed the severity of her ordeal. She told the court that her husband had coerced her into sexual activity up to eight times a night, resorting to violence whenever she refused.
“He wants to have s3x every day and wakes me up in the middle of the night, even after we’ve been intimate countless times on the same day,” Melocia stated.
She further described how the abuse extended beyond physical coercion, with George allegedly threatening divorce and verbally assaulting her in front of their children.
“He has been assaulting me in front of our children, shouting obscenities and telling them I don’t deserve to be called their mother,” she added, highlighting the emotional toll the behaviour has taken on her and the family.
In response, George acknowledged his actions, apologising to his wife and attributing his conduct to love. “I did not realise I was making her uncomfortable. I apologise and promise not to physically abuse her anymore,” he told the court.
After hearing both sides, Magistrate Taruvinga granted Melocia a protection order, legally preventing her husband from further abuse and ensuring her safety.
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