Plus Naija

Category: Law and Crimes

  • JUST NOW: NAFDAC Shuts Illegal Water Factory in Lagos

    JUST NOW: NAFDAC Shuts Illegal Water Factory in Lagos

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC) has recently shut down an illegal water factory in Apapa, Lagos where counterfeited, adulterated, and unhygienic sachet water was being produced.

    During an operation by the Investigation & Enforcement Directorate of the Agency, the factory was located at No. 89 Marine Road, Oluwole Market Waterside.

    The factory’s address was entirely different from the one on the already produced counterfeited sachet water brands.

    The operation revealed that thousands of bags of counterfeit sachet water, produced in a filthy environment beside a dirty canal, were ready for distribution.

    Over 2,500 bags of sachet water were confiscated and the remaining stock was destroyed on-site during the raid.

    The illegal factory was sealed, and all production equipment was dismantled and evacuated.

    NAFDAC has estimated the street value of the seized water to be over ₦1 million.

    The Agency however urges the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to the nearest NAFDAC office.

  • Breaking News: Kaduna Impersonator Arrested, Prosecuted

    Breaking News: Kaduna Impersonator Arrested, Prosecuted

    One Manasseh Hamza Bello (a.k.a Domingos Pereira) has been arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and sentenced to jail by the Kaduna State High Court for impersonation.

    Justice Darius Khobo of the Kaduna State High Court, sitting in Kaduna convicted and sentenced Bello to five years imprisonment with the option of paying N500,000 fine for the offence.

    According to EFCC X handle, Bello was prosecuted on a one-count charge bordering on impersonation. The charge reads: “That you Manasseh Hamza Bello (a.k.a Domingos Pereira) (M), sometime in 2024 at Kaduna within the jurisdiction of this honorable court, committed an offence, to wit: falsely presenting yourself as Domingos Pereira (a white man) on Facebook (an online social media application), which pretence you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 142 (1) of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law 2017.”

    He pleaded “guilty” to the charge upon which prosecution counsel, M.U Gadaka prayed the court to convict and sentence him accordingly.

    The judge consequently convicted and sentenced him to five years imprisonment or to pay a fine of N 500,000 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira). In addition to his jail term, he forfeited the iPhone 13 Pro Max mobile phoneTwenty-Seven, a Tecno PoP 8 mobile phone, a golden-coloured Toyota Camry car and the sum of N2,127,000.00 (Two Million, One Hundred and Twenty-Seven Thousand Naira) to the federal government.

    Bello was arrested and prosecuted following credible intelligence on the fraudulent activities of a cybercrime syndicate operating within the Barnawa, Kakuri and Television Garage axis of the Kaduna metropolis.

  • Benin Court Sentences 25 Internet Fraudsters to Jail

    Benin Court Sentences 25 Internet Fraudsters to Jail

    Benin Court Sentences 25 Internet Fraudsters to Jail

    The duo of Justice Efe Ikponmwonba and M. Ituseli of Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City have convicted and sentenced twenty-five (25) internet fraudsters for various jail terms.

    According to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the individuals involved were sentenced on Wednesday, 20 and Thursday, March 21, 2024 respectively.

    The convicts include Joshua Osarumwense, Oziegbe Courage, Michael Osawowamen Enofe, Precious Ezomo, Favour Ezomo, Adetokunbor Oghamomwan, Amaize Victor Ohimah, Destiny Okpala, Emmanuel Benjamin and Williams Chinedu Onyeji.

    Others are Michael Ugochukwu Davidson, Favour Victor, Aigbadon Nathaniel, Owas Palmer, Kelvin Aghator, Samuel Endurance, Emmanuel Ogiehor and Oseni Usman.

    Success Bashorun, Hassan Usman, Omoruyi Stanley, Omoruyi Osasu, Festus David Ofuomadega, Omokaro Junior Aisosa and Okolo Oghenenyerhovwo make up the rest of the convicts.

    The law enforcement agency stated that they were jailed after pleading guilty to one-count separate charges bordering on possession of fraudulent documents upon arraignment by the Benin Zonal Command of the Commission.

    “That you Favour Ezomo (m) on or about 14th March, 2024 in Benin City, Edo State, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did have in your possession documents which you knew or ought to have known contain a false pretence and thereby committed an offence contrary to sections 6 and 8 (b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act.2006 and punishable under section 1(3)of same Act,” the charge against Favour Ezomo reads as revealed by EFCC.

    Benin Court Sentences 25 Internet Fraudsters to Jail

    The Commission also disclosed that all the defendants pleaded guilty to their respective charges when they were read to them, prompting prosecution counsel, F. Jirbo, I.K Agwai, A. A. Ibrahim and Salihu Ahmed to pray the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.

    It was also revealed that the counsel to the defendants pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy, claiming that they have become remorseful for their actions.

    The trio of Oziegbe, Stanley and Davidson bagged three years imprisonment or a fine of ₦200,000.00 (two hundred thousand naira) each, while the duo of Ofuomadega and Oghenenyerhovwo got two years imprisonment or a fine of ₦200,000 (two hundred thousand naira) each.

    Similarly, the other twenty (20) individuals were sentenced to three years imprisonment or a fine of N100,000.00 (one hundred thousand naira) each.

    The judges ordered that the convicts forfeit their phones, balances in their various bank accounts being instruments and proceeds of crime and a Mercedes-Benz GLK 350 recovered from Ezomo to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

    All the convicts were also asked to undertake in writing to be of good behaviour afterwards.

    The convicts’ road to the correctional centre began following their arrest by operatives of the Benin Zonal Command of the Commission based on actionable intelligence regarding their involvement in computer-related fraud.

  • JUST IN: NDLEA Nabs Insurgents’ Drug Supplier, Pregnant Woman, 22 Other Suspects for Trafficking

    JUST IN: NDLEA Nabs Insurgents’ Drug Supplier, Pregnant Woman, 22 Other Suspects for Trafficking

    Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) arrested a total of 24 suspected drug traffickers and dealers during major interdictions in eight states across the country.

    Amongst those apprehended are; a 42-year-old man taking thousands of concealed opioid pills to insurgents’ enclave in Banki area of Borno State, a six-month-pregnant lady, a mother of three children and three other women.

    Their arrests led to the seizure of over 7,609 kilograms of assorted illicit drugs in Borno, Nasarawa, Anambra, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Kano, Ondo, Edo, and Lagos State.

    This was contained a statement made available to Thelensng by the Director, Media and Advocacy of the NDLEA, Femi Babafemi on Sunday.

    He said: “The bulk of the seizures was made in Nasarawa state where NDLEA operatives acting on credible intelligence on Sunday 4th February intercepted a truck marked Lagos JJJ 64 YC conveying 367 jumbo bags of cannabis sativa weighing 4,037 kilograms from Akure, Ondo state to be delivered at Shabu area of Lafia, the state capital.

    “Three suspects: Shuaibu Yahaya Liman, 35; Monday Audu, 33, and Linus Samuel, 42 have been arrested in connection with the seizure.

    “The following day Monday 5th February, operatives in Abuja, FCT arrested the duo of Jibrin Shuaibu, 23, and Prosper Innih, 17, with 169 bags and 80 blocks of compressed cannabis sativa weighing 1,961.5kgs concealed in a truck with registration number Ogun WDE 557 XC.

    “The truck was intercepted during a stop and search operation along Abaji – Abuja highway on their way from Uzeba to Dei-Dei, FCT”.

    In another operation by NDLEA operatives in Abuja on Tuesday 6th February 6, a suspect, Abdulhameed Dauda, 27, was arrested with 89kgs of the same psychoactive substance loaded into his truck in Owo, Ondo State to be delivered at Gwagwalada in FCT.

    On the same day, operatives also intercepted another driver, Hassan Ade, 30, transporting 696.5kgs of the same substance loaded in Idoani, Ondo State state to be delivered at Gwagwalada and Dei-Dei in FCT.

    A follow up operation led to the arrest of a mother of three children, Mrs. Joy Chukwuka, 42, linked with the consignment.

    In Ondo State, apart from the seizure of 633.5kgs of cannabis at Eleyere, Ogbese in Akure North LGA, NDLEA operatives also recovered 59 jumbo bags of same substance loaded in a truck marked GAD 287 XA heading to Northern part of the country.

    According to Babafemi, detergents were sprayed on the cannabis bags ostensibly to suppress the odour of the psychoactive weed, while 192 packs of table water were loaded on top to conceal the illicit consignment.

    He added that not less than 187kgs of same substance were seized by operatives at Sapele road, Benin, Edo State, while in Kano, NDLEA officers on Monday February 5, arrested 58-year-old Bashir Attahir in Bachirawa area of the state with 216,000 pills of tramadol 250mg.

    “Another suspect, Ejike Moses Nmenme, 47, was nabbed the following day Tuesday 6th Feb with 25,190 capsules of tramadol and different quantities of rohypnol and codeine syrup along Emir road, Sabon Gari area of the city while the duo of Yusuf Abdullahi Musa, 35, and Yusuf Musa, 28, were nabbed at Gadar Tamburawa, with 1,000 ampoules of tramadol injection on
    Thursday 8th February.

    ‘In Borno state, a 42-year-old suspected supplier of illicit drugs to insurgents in Banki, a border region between Nigeria and Cameroon, Ahmad Mohammed was arrested by NDLEA operatives on Friday 9th February at Bama check point.

    “When his luggage was searched 20,000 capsules of tramadol were recovered from him while on his way to deliver the opioid consignment in the border town.

    “A six-month pregnant woman, Amarachi Akaolisa, 25, and another lady, Ifeoma Iheanyi, 21, were among six suspects arrested for dealing in illicit substances in Oraifite and Umuni-Evili, Aguleri, Anambra state.

    “Others nabbed include: Okwuchukwu Chukwuka; Onyedika Ngwu; Ekene Hyginus and Nzomiwu Ikechukwu. Recovered from them were over 6 kilograms of cannabis, tramadol, diazepam and codeine syrup in raids conducted NDLEA operatives between Tuesday 6th and Thursday 8th Feb in parts of the state.

    “In Lagos, two ladies: Boluwatife Adebayo and Omolade Fola Adebayo were among suspects arrested during raids in parts of the state on Saturday 20th February.

    “While Ogah Sunday Adole and Boluwatife Adebayo were arrested at Agidingbi, Ikeja, in connection with 220grams of cannabis, 10.6 litres of codeine syrup, and other psychotropic substances, Omolade Fola Adebayo was nabbed at Ijesha with various quantities of cannabis, codeine syrup, rohypnol and molly”, the statement further read.

    The anti-narcotic agency’s spokesperson disclosed that Commands across the country balanced their drug supply reduction operations with War Against Drug Abuse (WADA), advocacy campaigns to schools, markets, worship centres and communities.

    Some of these include: WADA sensitisation lecture on Drug Use and Mental Health for students and staff of Oba Akinbiyi High School, Mokola, Ibadan, Oyo State; Owode Senior Secondary School, Owode Yewa, Ogun State, and Federal Science and Technical College, Awka, Anambra State.

    Others are Yusad Secondary School, Gashua, Yobe State; and African Church Grammar School, Ilesa, Osun State, as well as WADA advocacy visit to HRM Ochi’Idoma, Agaba Idu, Dr. Elaigwu Odogbo Obagaji John at his palace in Otukpo, Benue State and the Emir of Rano, HRH Amb. Muhammed Kabiru Inuwa in Kano State.

    Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) commended the efforts of the Nasarawa, FCT, Ondo, Kano, Borno, Edo, Anambra and Lagos Commands of the Agency for jobs well done in the past week.

    He urged them and their compatriots across the country to always strive to surpass past feats in their drug supply and drug demand reduction efforts.

  • NDLEA Declares Ex-beauty Queen Wanted for Dealing in Illicit Drugs

    NDLEA Declares Ex-beauty Queen Wanted for Dealing in Illicit Drugs

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has declared a former beauty queen wanted for dealing in illicit drugs.

    The suspect, Ms. Aderinoye Queen Christmas also known as Ms. Queen Oluwadamilola Aderinoye was Miss Commonwealth Nigeria Culture 2015/2016 and founder of Queen Christmas Foundation.

    Ms. Aderinoye was declared wanted by the Agency after she escaped from her Lekki, Lagos residence when NDLEA operatives raided her apartment at Oral estate, Lekki on Wednesday, January 24.

    The anti-narcotic agency spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, who disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, said the raid of her apartment followed credible intelligence that she deals in illicit substances.

    Recovered from her home during the search witnessed by the estate officials include 606 grams of Canadian Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, an electronic weighing scale, large quantities of drugs packing plastics, a black RAV 4 SUV marked Lagos KSF 872 GQ, and her picture frame among others.

    In another interdiction operation by operatives in Lagos same day, a 50-year-old Sunday Adediran, was arrested with 20kg cannabis sativa found in one of the rooms in his house at Mushin Olosha.

    Also, not less than 822 kilograms of cannabis sativa hidden in a fuel station located at Ashipa community along Badagry-Seme road were recovered by operatives of the Seme Special Area Command of NDLEA.

  • Western Marine Customs Seizes Over 4,000 Parcels of Cannabis in One Month

    Western Marine Customs Seizes Over 4,000 Parcels of Cannabis in One Month

    The Western Marine Command of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted and seized 51 Sacks containing 4,070 parcels of Cannabis Sativa in January 2024.

    This it said is part of the Command’s continued efforts to purge the Western Waterways of the offensive activities of smuggling.

    The Command’s Public Relations officer, SC Magaji Mailafiya made this known in a statement on Tuesday, January 30, 2024.

    According to him, On Friday,  January 19, 2024, at exactly 1206hrs, a Joint Patrol Team of the Command received credible Intelligence of the movement of a wooden Boat around the Moba Seashore axis of the Command suspected of transporting offending goods.

    After a hot pursuit of the identified Boat by officers, the smugglers dived into the Creek, abandoning the Boat fully loaded with the goods.

    “The wooden Boat powered by two 40 horsepower engines was towed back to the Command HQ at Ibafon Apapa.

    “After careful examination, it was found to contain 4,070 parcels of Cannabis Sativa weighing 1785kg”, the statement partly read.

    On his part, the Customs Area Controller, Odaudu Salefu, has promised to give officers of the Command the needed impetus and motivation to perform their anti-smuggling responsibilities in 2024.

    Recall that in 2023, Western Marine Command made five significant seizures of Cannabis Sativa, totaling 14,920 parcels of the dangerous drugs.

    The five seizures were part of the 48 incidents of seizures recorded by the Command in 2023 resulting in a total Duty Paid Value of N1, 470,397,255.00.

    The statement added that the Western Marine Command is poised more than ever to improve its performance in 2024.

  • 15 Drug Kingpins Out of 3,412 Offenders Convicted in 2023 Bagged 168 Years in Jail – NDLEA Boss

    15 Drug Kingpins Out of 3,412 Offenders Convicted in 2023 Bagged 168 Years in Jail – NDLEA Boss

    Chairman/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) has disclosed that a total of 15 drug kingpins out of 3, 412 offenders were successfully prosecuted in 2023.

    Gen. Marwa also revealed that they were all convicted and sentenced to 168 years imprisonment.

    According to a statement issued by the Agency’s Director, Media and Advocacy, Mr. Femi Babafemi on Wednesday, the NDLEA boss made the disclosure while addressing commanders, officers and men of the Agency during awards and commendations ceremony at its national headquarters in Abuja.

    The event had in attendance 104 personnel and 13 commanders that were outstanding in discharging their duties in the second half of 2023, hence, they were duly recognized and rewarded.

    The NDLEA boss stated: “Indeed, our performance as individuals and as a collective could always be better; nonetheless, we must appreciate every effort made to help sustain the momentum of our upward trajectory since January 2021, when we launched the renewed fight against illicit substance trafficking.

    “According to our statistics, we recorded 13, 664 arrests leading to the seizure of 1, 606, 799.09 kilograms of assorted illicit drugs and 3,412 convictions with a total of 5, 570 offenders charged to court in 2023. It’s indeed a year that at least 15 drug kingpins bagged 168 years of imprisonment collectively.

    “That is a substantial improvement over our performance in 2022. Notably, in 2023, we also ramped up our enforcement action against cannabis farms and carried out at least seven successful major operations, leading to the discovery and destruction of over 206 hectares of cannabis plantations”.

    He buttressed that to create awareness about the dangers of substance abuse aimed at prevention and encourage those already in it to seek treatment, the Agency intensified its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy initiative nationwide.

    “The frequency and intensity of our advocacy throughout the year improved considerably. Zonal and state commands have been very dedicated to propagating WADA advocacy. As a result, a total of 2,725 sensitisation lectures and programmes were held in schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others.

    “A breakdown of the WADA lectures held in 2023 shows: 807 in Primary/Secondary Schools; 146 in Tertiary Institutions; 488 for out of school children; 264 in worship centres; 140 in military/paramilitary organisations; 90 in other work places, among others. Just as well, our commands and formations have coped with the increased workload of counselling activities leading to the counselling and rehabilitation of 10, 904 drug user”.

    He noted that those who have been in the Agency longer than 2021 can attest to the fact that the past three years have brought different dynamics to the operations and performance of the agency – a development that has attracted commendations from home and abroad.

    His words: “This is further reinforced by the content of a letter two weeks ago from the National Assembly conveying the decision of the national parliament to ‘commend the efforts of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in the fight against illicit drug consumption and trafficking.’ This recognition by both Chambers of the National Assembly should serve as a further morale booster and a reminder that your efforts are not going unnoticed.

    “I must also say that the NDLEA management has no misgivings about instituting the Commands Awards and Commendations. This twice-a-year event, though a reward system, serves as an inward-looking glass for critical self-analysis and therefore a mechanism that puts the agency on its toes. Each time we gather here to honour exemplary officers and commands, we are making a loud statement that we value meritocracy and that hard work is a virtue we hold in high esteem. We are trying to normalise good performance”.

    Gen. Marwa vowed that he will not relent in his effort to improve the welfare of the Agency’s workforce.

    “All the issues we are working on will soon come to fruition in a matter of time. For instance, we fought hard to have an amended NDLEA Act last year. Today, the bill is at the 10th National Assembly receiving due attention, and we are optimistic that there will be a light at the end of the tunnel. I am also pleased to inform you that our barracks projects have recorded progress. Before the middle of the year, some of our barracks will be ready for commissioning. These few examples of the efforts going on behind the scenes are evidence that we are working in your best interest”.

    Similarly, he warned that the Agency will be firm on disciplinary issues saying; “We don’t take infractions lightly. Every officer of NDLEA is expected to work within the ambit of our core values and strictly adhere to our standard operating procedure. We expect our officers to be the epitome of service, selflessness and sacrifice.”

    He further expressed gratitude to individuals and institutions that have contributed to the success of the Agency.

    “As an institution, we thank the European Union and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, UNODC, for being helpful partners on this journey. We appreciate the support of our other international partners from the US, UK, France, Germany, and India among others.

    “We also appreciate sister agencies and security organisations, including the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, Customs, Immigration, Police, DSS, NSCDC, NAFDAC, NYSC and FRSC, for the synergy that makes our job easy. Our profound gratitude also goes to the Senate Committee on Drugs and Narcotics, the House of Representatives Committee on Narcotic Drugs, and the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice. Importantly, we thank His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his encouragement and immense support to NDLEA.”

  • NDLEA Intercepts 14.5 Tonnes of Cannabis Linked to Wanted Lagos Drug Baron

    NDLEA Intercepts 14.5 Tonnes of Cannabis Linked to Wanted Lagos Drug Baron

    Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted large consignments of Ghanaian Loud, a strong strain of cannabis sativa, smuggled into Lagos from Ghana.

    The consignment was loaded in two trucks and a J5 bus with a total weight of 14, 524.8 kilograms.

    The three vehicles conveying jumbo bags of the psychoactive substance were trailed and intercepted at Ojuelegba area of Lagos in the early hours of Sunday, January 28, 2024.

    The Director of Media and Advocacy of the NDLEA, Femi Babafemi made the disclosure in a statement made available to Thelensng on Sunday.

    Babafemi explained that in the process of blocking the vehicles, two of the drivers jumped off on motion while the third driver, 66-year-old Nasiru Ojomu, who works with wanted Akala, Mushin based drug baron, Suleiman Jimoh (alias Olowo Idi Ogede, also known as Temo) was arrested.

    According to him, NDLEA operatives have seized several shipments of same psychoactive substance worth billions of naira linked to Temo in the last three years.

    He added that the wanted drug lord has since gone into hiding while the Agency continues manhunt for him.

    In the same vein, NDLEA operatives on routine patrol around a warehouse sealed at Church Street, Idumota, Lagos by the Agency over an ongoing investigation on Thursday 1st of February arrested three suspects: Joseph Joshua; Muhammed Adamu and Balarabe Musa who burgled the store and loaded 546,700 pills of tramadol and other opioids into a waiting yellow bus marked BDG 447 XD and an unregistered Suzuki minibus.

    Meanwhile, a male deaf and dumb suspect dealing in illicit substances has been arrested at Samaru area of Zaria, Kaduna State.

    At the time of his arrest, 150 grams of cannabis were recovered from him while selling the psychoactive substance. Another suspect, Ibrahim Sani, 56, was also arrested in possession of 51 kilograms of same substance at Tirkaniya area of the state.

    The statement further read: “Operatives in Abuja on Wednesday 31st January arrested Emmanuel Paul with 43.5kg cannabis concealed in used shoes loaded in a trailer coming from Ogbese, Ondo state to be delivered at Gwagwalada area of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.

    “In Katsina state, NDLEA officers on patrol along Dutsinma – Katsina road on Friday 2nd February apprehended a suspect, Murtala Isah, 35, with a total of 37,600 pills of tramadol and other opioids recovered from him.

    “In Kogi state, operatives on Wednesday 31st January destroyed 833.32 kilograms of cannabis sativa on a two acre of farmland at Iluke community, Kabba- Bunu LGA while the owner, Samuel Atonila, 49, was equally arrested.

    “On the same day, operatives in Nasarawa also arrested three suspects: Muhammed Musa, Bilyaminu Musa and Sadiya Ya’u with same psychoactive substance weighing 24.4kg at Uke, Karu local government area of the state, while no less than 258 kilograms of same substance were recovered from a bush store around Ikare bypass, Owo, Ondo state”.

    According to Babafemi, NDLEA Commands across the 36 states and the FCT continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation lectures in schools, communities, work places and others in the past week.

    Some of these include: WADA sensitisation lecture for students and staff of Gombe State College of Education and Legal Studies, Nafada; parents, students, and teachers of Kemta comprehensive high school, Olugbo, Odeda LGA, Ogun State; students of Government Day Science Technical School, Babura, Jigawa State; students and staff of Government science school, Mokwa, Niger State; students of Ansarudeen secondary school, Iludun, Osun State.

    Also, students of St David’s Anglican Basic School, Ogbomoso, Oyo State; students of Government Girls Arabic Secondary School, Anguwar Danya, Wudil LGA, Kano State state; traders at Ogbo-Olu timber market, Anambra State and commercial motorcyclists in Oko Afo, Olorunda LCDA, Badagry, Lagos State, among others.

    The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) commended the arrests and seizures of the past week by officers and men of the Lagos, Kaduna, Ondo, Katsina, Nasarawa, Kogi and FCT Commands.

    He charged them and their compatriots across all formations of the Agency to continue to remain vigilant and double their efforts on both drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction simultaneously.

  • Western Marine Commandseize 4000 parcels of Indian hemp

    Western Marine Commandseize 4000 parcels of Indian hemp

    Western Marine Customs Intercepts Over 4000 Parcels Of Indian Hemp Some sacks of cannabis sativa seized by Western Marine Command of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has intercepted 51 sacks containing 4,070 parcels of Cannabis Sativa in January 2024.

    The Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Odaudu Salefu, revealed this in a press statement disseminated on Tuesday, stressing that the Command would intensify efforts to purge the Western waterways of the offensive activities of smuggling.

    Joint Patrol Team of the Command received credible intelligence of the movement of a wooden Boat around the Moba Seashore axis of the Command suspected of transporting offending goods.

    After a hot pursuit of the identified Boat by our officers, the smugglers dived into the Creek, abandoning the Boat fully loaded with the goods

    According to a statement released by the image maker of the command, SC Magaji Mailafiya, stated that the wooden Boat powered by Two (2) 40 horsepower (HP) engines was towed back to the Command HQ at Ibafon Apapa. After careful examination, it was found to contain 4,070 parcels of Cannabis Sativa weighing 1785kg.” Recall that in 2023, Western Marine Command made five significant seizures of Cannabis Sativa, totaling 14,920 parcels of the dangerous drugs; the 5 seizures were part of the 48 incidents of seizures recorded by the Command in 2023 resulting in a total Duty Paid Value of N1,470,397,255.00 for the year 2023. Comptroller Salefu, however, promised to give officers of the Command the needed impetus and motivation to perform their anti-smuggling responsibilities in 2024.

    Western Marine Command is poised more than ever to improve its performance in 2024 for a better and prosperous year, even as it warns Nigerians to desist from smuggling

  • NDLEA, Customs Synergy a Strong Warning to Drug Cartels, Marwa, Adeniyi Announce

    NDLEA, Customs Synergy a Strong Warning to Drug Cartels, Marwa, Adeniyi Announce

    Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) and the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Mr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi have lauded the synergy between both agencies in discharging their duties.

    Gen. Marwa and Mr. Adeniyi disclosed that the partnership is a strong warning to drug cartels that are yet to desist from criminal activities.

    This was made known in a statement issued by NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Mr Femi Babafemi after the heads of both agencies spoke at the Tin Can Seaport in Lagos on Thursday.

    Prior to their speech, Mr. Adeniyi led his team to turn in the illicit drugs seized during joint examination by NDLEA, Customs and other security agencies of containers the anti-narcotic agency had been tracking based on credible intelligence from international partners.

    The NDLEA boss, who was represented by Femi Babafemi disclosed that the “handing over of seized illicit drugs in custody of the Nigeria Customs Service is a development that speaks volumes about the hard work and diligence of security agencies tasked with securing the territory of our country. The seizure is a testament that, just like the airports, the sea ports are also secured.

    “That we are here today doing this is a testament to the cooperation we received from the Nigeria Customs Service. This level of cooperation between NDLEA and Customs, as well as other security agencies and port stakeholders, is a strong signal to drug cartels that our ports and indeed Nigeria, will not be a haven for their criminal business. The synergy between Customs and NDLEA would further ensure the closing of other loopholes that criminal elements may have capitalised on in the past years to smuggle illicit items into our country.”

    He also thanked the leadership, men and officers of the Customs for the joint efforts between both agencies beyond the Tin Can Port in advancing the interest of the country.

    NDLEA, Customs Synergy a Strong Warning to Drug Cartels, Marwa, Adeniyi Announce

    His words: “I will also seize this opportunity to commend the officers and men of the Tin Can Command of NDLEA and other special units, including our K-9 unit, involved in the processes leading to these seizures, for their steadfastness since we received intelligence weeks ago from our international partners on the containers from which these drugs were recovered as they departed the port of loading.

    “The command and other units had diligently tracked the movement of the containers up to the time of their landing in our port. In the spirit of inter-agency collaboration, NDLEA never hesitated to share intelligence with the Tin Can Island Command of the Nigeria Customs Service and also requested that the command ensure the containers were pinned down for 100 percent examination.”

    Similarly, Marwa promised that NDLEA, Nigeria Customs and other security organisations remain committed to ensuring that the country’s territorial integrity is protected.

    Meanwhile, the Comptroller General of Customs, Mr. Adeniyi in his remarks stated that the collaborative efforts with the NDLEA have proven effective in pooling resources and intelligence to safeguard the nation’s borders.

    “In recognition of the threats and the collaborative nature of criminal activities, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has steadfastly prioritized strategic partnerships with stakeholders over the past seven months. This deliberate focus aims to harness the specialized expertise of our partners in a manner that enhances our capability to fulfil our core mandates,” he said.

    Comptroller Adeniyi further stated: “Just as criminals find strength in collaboration, government agencies must equally appreciate the advantages of working collectively to fulfil their statutory responsibilities. It is within this context that the ongoing collaborative efforts between the NCS and the National Drug and Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have consistently yielded positive results.

    “This collaborative synergy exemplifies the effectiveness of pooling resources and intelligence, reinforcing the commitment of both agencies to safeguarding the nation’s borders and protecting its citizens from the threats posed by illegal substances.”

    According to the statement, the items that were consigned are; 65 packets of Colorado, a strain of cannabis weighing 32.5kg seized from 1X40FT Container No. UACU 534833/6 imported from Canada; 17 parcels of cocaine weighing 16.690kg; 151 parcels of Colorado weighing 107kg; some precursor chemicals among others seized from 1x40ft Container No. MSCU 458177/0 imported from Durban South Africa.

    Others are 40 packets of cocaine weighing 39.7kg; 1026 packets of Colorado weighing 688.2kg seized from 40ft container No. THRU 796807/1 imported from Durban South Africa and 226 packets of Colorado weighing 128kg seized from 40ft container No. MEDU 785276/3 imported from Durban South Africa.