News
NDLEA Intercepts Cocaine in Lipsticks, $17.7m in Travelers’ Cheques Hidden in Children’s Books, Dismantles Drug Rings Across Nigeria
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.
News
NDLEA warns public against fake auction offers using officials’ names
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has warned Nigerians to be wary of fraudsters impersonating its officials to defraud unsuspecting members of the public through fake auction offers for forfeited vehicles.
In a statement issued on Friday, the agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, said the scammers have been using the names of senior NDLEA officials, particularly the Secretary to the Agency, Barrister Shadrach Haruna, to circulate fraudulent letters and messages offering cheap forfeited vehicles for sale.
Babafemi described the offers as a deliberate scam aimed at swindling people of their money.
“The public is hereby notified that these offers are a complete scam. The Agency wishes to categorically state that these fraudulent offers are a malicious gimmick designed solely to defraud targeted individuals of their hard-earned money,” he said.
The agency stressed that no NDLEA official is authorised to privately allocate, sell or offer forfeited vehicles or any other seized assets to individuals.
According to the statement, all forfeited vehicles and assets are disposed of only through public auction processes conducted by government-approved auctioneers in line with legal and public procurement guidelines.
Babafemi added that legitimate auction exercises are always widely advertised in national newspapers and through the agency’s official communication channels.
He urged members of the public to disregard and report any letters, text messages or social media posts claiming to offer forfeited vehicles through Barrister Haruna or any other NDLEA official.
“The NDLEA remains committed to maintaining transparency and integrity in all its operations. Do not fall victim to these criminal elements. If you are approached with such fraudulent offers, please report immediately to the nearest NDLEA command or through our official communication channels,” the statement added.
News
Initiators Promise Big As NIGMA Gets August 2026 Date
The organisers of this year’s Nigeria International Gospel Music Awards ( NIGMA) have announced that the upcoming edition will celebrate the very best of the gospel music industry in an atmosphere of excellence, creativity, and inspiration.
The event is scheduled to take place on Sunday, August 9, 2026, at the prestigious Agip Recital Hall, MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos.
Speaking at a media briefing in Lagos, Kingsley Omoefe, Founder and Team Lead of NIGMA and Chief Responsibility Officer of Golden Heritage Limited, said the August event is designed to bring together gospel music ministers, industry stakeholders, fans, and supporters for a memorable celebration of talent, faith, and excellence.
He stated that attendees should expect an unforgettable experience featuring outstanding performances from leading gospel artists, alongside special recognitions for individuals and organisations that have made significant contributions to the industry.
The organisers also revealed that the event will feature meaningful conversations designed to inspire participants, promote collaboration, and foster the continued growth of gospel music.
The organisers said the August gathering would create memorable moments that would leave guests inspired, enriched, and motivated long after the curtains close.
They further called on corporate organisations, media outfits, and well-meaning individuals to take advantage of the opportunities available to support the event through sponsorships and strategic partnerships.
The organisers encouraged interested organisations and individuals seeking sponsorship, partnership, media accreditation, or participation to contact the event management for further information and registration ahead of the highly anticipated August programme.
International News
Nottingham Forest Sacks 5th Manager In 10 Months, To Wrap Up Oliver Glasner’s Deal
Oliver Glasner is in advanced talks to replace Vitor Pereira as Nottingham Forest head coach, a move which would see the Austrian become the club’s fifth manager in less than a year.
Pereira announced his departure from the club in a statement on Wednesday, saying that it came as a “complete surprise to me and without any warning”.
Glasner is a free agent after leaving Crystal Palace — where he won the FA Cup in 2024-25 and then the Community Shield and Conference League the following campaign — and is set to stay in the Premier League.
The 51-year-old confirmed in January that he would leave Palace at the end of the season after two years in charge.
On Thursday, Forest confirmed Pereira’s coaching staff Filipe Almeida, Luis Miguel, Bruno Moura, Marco Knoop and Pedro Lopes had all left the club alongside the head coach.
Pereira, 57, was appointed Forest head coach in February on an 18-month contract which runs until 2027.
The Athletic reported in May Forest had been planning to show their faith in Pereira by handing the head coach a new long-term contract, but those talks were subsequently put on hold.
“Today marks the end of my journey as head coach of Nottingham Forest,” he said in his statement.
“I want to say a sincere thank you to everyone connected with this incredible football club. Although this decision came as a complete surprise to me and without any warning, I fully respect the club’s right to make the decisions it believes are best for its future.
“Naturally, I am disappointed and saddened. I truly believed in what we were building together, and I leave with a sense of pride in everything we achieved over the past months.
“Together, we enjoyed a memorable end to the season. We secured the club’s Premier League status, reached the semi-finals of the Europa League, and created moments that will stay with me forever. Most importantly, I saw a group of players grow in confidence, belief and togetherness.
“I leave Nottingham Forest with no bitterness or resentment—only respect, gratitude and wonderful memories. Football is full of unexpected moments, and while this chapter has ended sooner than I expected, I will always look back on my time here with pride and affection.”
The Portuguese succeeded Sean Dyche and was Forest’s fourth permanent boss of the season following the departures of Nuno Espirito Santo and Ange Postecoglou.
Nuno had led Forest to Europa League qualification the previous season but he departed in September, less than three months after signing a new deal. Postecoglou was appointed his replacement but was dismissed just 39 days later. Dyche took charge of the team in October before his dismissal in February.
Forest were three points above the relegation zone when Pereira was appointed and he subsequently steered his side to Premier League safety with two games of the campaign remaining.
His appointment marked his second managerial spell in the Premier League after guiding Wolverhampton Wanderers to safety during the 2024-25 campaign.
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