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NDLEA Intercepts Cocaine in Lipsticks, $17.7m in Travelers’ Cheques Hidden in Children’s Books, Dismantles Drug Rings Across Nigeria

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has made multiple high-profile seizures and arrests in a sweeping nationwide crackdown on drug trafficking networks, including the interception of cocaine concealed in lipsticks and property documents bound for the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia.

 

 

 

 

Operatives of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation attached to a logistics firm in Lagos discovered the consignments on Thursday, a statement by the anti-drug agency on Sunday indicated.

In  a statement made available to the column.ng by the agency’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, stated that a total of 420 grams of cocaine were hidden in 84 pieces of factory-fitted female lipsticks heading to the UK, while 280 grams of the drug were found inside a Certificate of Occupancy being sent to Saudi Arabia.

“A total of 420grams of cocaine factory fitted in 84 pieces of female lipsticks heading to the UK were seized, while 280 grams of the same Class A drug were uncovered in a property title document (Certificate of Occupancy) being sent to Saudi Arabia,” the statement partly read.

In a separate operation, he stated that a drug kingpin, Ajetsibo Emami, alias ‘Warri Kinsman’, was arrested in Ikeja on Saturday, June 28, following a three-day raid.

Babafemi added that the operation led to the seizure of 681 pouches of Canadian Loud weighing 414.2 kilograms from 24 jumbo bags, and the arrest of three accomplices.

He said in another operation, a family were arrested for drugs.

According to him, the father, Ajah Johnson; his wife, Rosemary; their daughters, Stella and Ngozi, and a family friend, Okoro Elijah, were arrested in Lagos.

“A businessman, Ajah Johnson Uchenna and his wife, Rosemary Uchenna, along with their two daughters, Stella Uchenna and Ngozi Uchenna, as well as their family friend, Okoro Elijah, have been taken into custody after an investigation revealed they run a major illicit drug distribution network in Lagos. The couple was first arrested on Friday, June 13, by operatives of the Department of State Security in the Ojo area of the state and transferred to the NDLEA along with 277.5kg skunk.

“While they were still being investigated in custody, credible intelligence revealed that the family business was going on in his house. This led to a raid on their home and a packing store where 231kg of the same substance was recovered on Tuesday, July 1. Three persons arrested during the raid include their two daughters, Ngozi Uchenna and Blessing Uchenna, as well as their family friend, Okoro Elijah, who was running the family business in the absence of the couple.”

Babafemi equally said at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport that a man identified as Aburemi Hysent was caught on July 2 with 7,660 tramadol pills concealed in food items he was conveying to Italy.

He said the suspect confessed to being promised €800 for the delivery.

The NDLEA operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, on Wednesday, July 2, intercepted a frequent flyer, Aburemi Hysent, who specialises in conveying goods for customers from Nigeria to Italy and vice versa. He was found to have hidden 7,660 pills of tramadol 225mg and 200mg inside food items packed among other goods he was conveying to Italy. He claimed he was to be paid the sum of 800 euros upon successful delivery of the drug consignment in Italy.”

On July 4,  he said operatives at the airport also intercepted 52 counterfeit travellers’ cheques concealed in children’s books. The cheques, worth 17.7 million Australian dollars and headed to Malaysia via Istanbul, were traced to a freight agent, Bolarinwa Saheed, who has been handed over to the EFCC for further investigation.

Babafemi said, “In another interdiction operation at the Lagos airport, a total of 52 pieces of the travellers’ cheques concealed in children books, worth 17,700,000 Australian dollars, going to Malaysia through Istanbul on a Turkish Airlines flight were on Friday, July 4, intercepted by the NDLEA operatives at the export shed of the airport while a freight agent, Bolarinwa Saheed, has been arrested. The travellers’ cheques suspected to be counterfeit and the suspect will be transferred to the EFCC for further investigation.”

At the Seme border in Lagos on July 5, he said the NDLEA recovered 359kg of skunk stored in the Baba-Pupa area.

The same day, Babafemi said 10,000 tramadol pills and 1.050kg of Colorado were intercepted along the Okene-Lokoja highway. Follow-up arrests were made at Jabi Park, Abuja.

In Osun State, he said several arrests were made between July 1 and 3 in Osogbo and Ile-Ife. where over 62,000 pills and ampoules of opioids were seized.

“A cannabis farm covering 9.67 hectares was also destroyed at Ikaka forest, Oke-Ila, with seven suspects arrested and over 24,000kg of skunk destroyed,” he added.

In Borno State, he said 167kg of skunk was recovered at Gamboru-Ngala.

“Along the Zaria-Kano Road, 452kg of drugs were seized, with two suspects arrested. In Kaduna, 11,000 pills of tramadol were found on a 30-year-old man, while Sokoto officers arrested a 62-year-old suspect with 4,800 pills of the same drug.

“Kebbi command raided Bakin Kasuwa, Yauri, where 312kg of skunk and 10,000 diazepam tablets were recovered. In Taraba, two suspects were found with nearly 50,000 capsules of tramadol, “ the statement added.

In Edo State, Babafemi said a wanted suspect, Alaba Monday, was arrested in Ewere forest with 115kg of skunk.

“Three others were arrested on a 2-hectare cannabis farm. In Cross River, a 78-year-old man and others were arrested in Obubra LGA with various quantities of skunk and tramadol,” he added.

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VIDEO: Woman’s Assault on Teenage Daughter Sparks Reactions in La

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Public outrage has trailed a viral video showing a woman allegedly assaulting her 15-year-old daughter at 32 Tashoro Street, near Ipaja in Lagos State.

 

The disturbing footage, which surfaced in the early hours of Wednesday April 29, showed a woman in a yellow shirt straddling the teenager while holding a knife above her after reportedly beating her near the entrance of a residential compound.

Bystanders were seen intervening during the incident, though the condition of the girl remained unclear.

The video was shared by an X user identified as #Dir_Martinsz, who wrote,, “A 15 years old is mistreated and abused by her mother. And stab the 15 years old girl. 💔😢

“Please let nigeria come for her rescue and tag right authorities 🙏🏽 check quote for video The location is 32 tashoro street, opeki bus stop off ayobo road.”

The incident has sparked widespread reactions online, with many users calling on the Nigeria Police Force, the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to urgently intervene.

As of the time of filing this report, no official statement had been issued by the police or Lagos State authorities regarding the incident.

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Bola Ahmed Tinubu Meets Plateau Stakeholders Behind Closed Doors

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resident Bola Tinubu on Tuesday held a closed-door meeting with a delegation of Plateau State stakeholders led by Governor Caleb Mutfwang at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The delegation arrived at the Villa at about 1:00 p.m. for the meeting, which was scheduled to begin at 2:00 p.m.

The discussions lasted several hours, though details of the deliberations were not made public.

The meeting is understood to be a follow-up to the President’s recent visit to Plateau State in the aftermath of the deadly Palm Sunday attack in Angwan Rukuba, Jos.

The closed-door session comes approximately four weeks after the March 29 attack, when gunmen opened fire at a busy junction in Jos, killing at least 28 people, including university students and staff, and injuring 22 others.

The incident triggered widespread fear and heightened security concerns across the state, with sporadic violence reported in areas surrounding the University of Jos.

In response to the deteriorating security situation at the time, authorities ordered the evacuation and temporary closure of the university, while additional security personnel were deployed to restore order and prevent further escalation.

President Tinubu subsequently visited Jos on April 2, where he met with government officials, traditional rulers, and families of victims.

Governor Mutfwang, during the President’s visit, indicated that stakeholders would need sufficient time to adequately brief him on the situation—a request Tinubu granted on the spot.

During the visit, Tinubu expressed condolences and assured residents of the Federal Government’s commitment to restoring lasting peace in the state.

He also called for decisive action against those responsible for the attack, urging security agencies to intensify efforts to apprehend the perpetrators.

As part of measures to strengthen security nationwide, the President announced plans for the deployment of about 5,000 surveillance cameras to enhance monitoring and support law enforcement operations. The Minister of Communications, Bosun Tijani, was tasked with overseeing the implementation of the initiative.

President Tinubu, Governor Mutfwang and the APC Chairman during the President’s visit to Jos

 

Governor Mutfwang had described the attack as a temporary setback, expressing optimism that Plateau State would recover and continue its trajectory towards peace, tourism, and stability.

He also commended security agencies for their response efforts.

Despite these assurances, residents have continued to call for sustained and comprehensive security measures to guarantee long-term safety across affected communities.

Tension remained high following a series of deadly attacks and rising casualties across several communities in March and early April.

In the aftermath, the death toll from the Angwan Rukuba attack in Jos North later rose to 33, as some victims died in the hospital. The Plateau State Government confirmed the updated figure and vowed to investigate the motive behind the killings while assuring residents that efforts were underway to restore peace.

Authorities also released three youths earlier arrested in connection with the incident, following protests that disrupted funeral proceedings. The demonstrations, led by residents and youths, reflected growing frustration over repeated attacks and alleged injustice in arrests.

 

The protesters accused the military of unlawfully arresting the three youths.

 

Violence continued in multiple areas, including Riyom, Barkin Ladi, Bokkos, and Kanam, where fresh attacks in April left several more people dead, including entire families and a pastor’s household.

Security forces reported some operational successes, including the killing of 10 suspected terrorists and the recovery of weapons in coordinated operations.

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Gateway Polytechnic Students Regain Freedom After Police Rescue Operation

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The Ogun State Police Command says its operatives have rescued five students of Gateway Polytechnic, Saapade, who were abducted by armed criminals in the Saapade area of the state.

According to a press statement by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Oluseyi Babaseyi, the incident occurred on Monday, April 27, 2026, at about 10:55 p.m., when Ipara Division received a distress report of a suspected kidnapping.

“Acting promptly, a patrol team was deployed to the scene where an ash-coloured Toyota vehicle was discovered abandoned.

“The vehicle had visible bullet impacts and blood stains, while mobile phones and other personal belongings were recovered from it,” Babaseyi said.

He added that further examination of the scene revealed an identity card belonging to a student of the institution, confirming that the occupants of the vehicle were students.

This development necessitated the immediate escalation of the incident and activation of a full-scale rescue operation.

“In line with standard operational procedures, the Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command, Bode Ojajuni, promptly ordered the deployment of tactical units and directed an intelligence-led rescue operation to safely locate and rescue the victims,” the statement read.

He added that acting on this directive, operatives of Isara Area Command, Ipara Division, SWAT, the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, the Violent Crime Response Unit, the Quick Response Squad, and OP MESA were swiftly mobilised.

The operative also conducted coordinated bush combing and tracking operations along suspected escape routes.

According to the police, sustained operational pressure led to the successful rescue of the five victims from the custody of the abductors on 28th April 2026.

“The victims were immediately evacuated, debriefed, and taken for medical attention due to conditions sustained while in captivity,” Babaseyi stated.

The PPRO also stated that during the rescue operation, the kidnappers engaged operatives in a gun duel but were overwhelmed by superior firepower and tactical response, forcing them to flee with suspected gunshot wounds.

He disclosed that no casualty was recorded among security operatives.

 

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