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BREAKING: Anger as NDLEA operatives shoot two dead during Lagos raid

Published

2 years ago

July 27, 2023

BREAKING: Anger as NDLEA operatives shoot two dead during Lagos raid

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have allegedly shot dead two persons including one Gafar Yusuf, in the Idioro area of Mushin, Lagos State.

The PUNCH gathered that the NDLEA operatives stormed the community around 10pm on Wednesday to raid a drug den when they started shooting sporadically in a bid to achieve their aim.

While engaging in the act, it was learnt that stray bullets from the operatives, shooting sporadically to scare hoodlums attempting to scuttle their plan in the community, killed the victims.

A resident, who gave his name simply as Olasunkanmi, while lamenting over the development, questioned the operatives for shooting sporadically in a residential area, adding that the bullets hit Yusuf’s head and the yet-to-be-identified victim’s chest.

He noted that the victims died on the spot, adding that people in the community had been enraged by the development.

Olasunkanmi said, “We are not saying the NDLEA should not do their job, but why will its operatives be shooting anyhow in a residential area? The NDLEA operatives invaded a drug den in the community around 10pm and started seizing illicit drugs which is OK.

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“The operatives were about 50 in number and most of them were armed. While some wore the official uniform, others were dressed in casual wear. The people dealing in the drug business were enraged by the raid and started threatening to make trouble.

“But the NDLEA operatives started shooting to have their way and stray bullets hit two young boys in the head and chest. Both of them died on the spot. The name of one of the victims is Gafar Yusuf. After killing them, the NDLEA operatives attempted to take their corpses away but people in the area resisted.”

Another resident, who gave his name simply as Lukmon, said Yusuf’s mother, Olaide, who had been inconsolable since the shocking events that claimed her son’s life, informed him about the incident.

He said, “We are tired of the NDLEA’s issue in our neighbourhood. Why will they be shooting carelessly in a residential neighbourhood? If they want to work, it is expected that they would have a target and they should have a plan for how they will arrest the target instead of shooting carelessly to the point of killing two innocent persons.

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“It is uncalled for; they suddenly stormed the area with guns and started shooting. Gafar Yusuf, 22, was killed on Imoru Street. We are already making arrangements to bury his corpse. We heard three people were killed during the raid but what I can confirm to you for now is the death of two persons.

“Yusuf’s mother called me yesterday that a bullet had hit him and that he was running errands when he got struck down by the bullets fired by the NDLEA operatives.”

Video clips in possession of our correspondent showed people running helter-skelter during the raid that created tension in the community.

In one of the video clips, our correspondent observed residents in the area shedding tears as they surrounded the corpses of the victims that lay motionless on the road.

Blood stains gushing out of the corpses were visible on the road as people expressed anger over the tragedy.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, did not take his calls and had yet to reply to a text message sent to his mobile number as of the time this report was filed.

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Mother, daughter who stole ponmo, stock fish in Ogun jailed six months

Published

3 hours ago

March 29, 2025

Trends Admin

Mother, daughter who stole ponmo, stock fish in Ogun jailed six months

A Magistrates’ Court in Abeokuta, Ogun State yesterday sentenced a mother, Falilatu Amidu, and her daughter, Ayisatu, to six months imprisonment each for stealing dry ponmo, stock fish and dried meat valued N1 million

The defendants, who reside at No 21 Ago-Oko area of Abeokuta, were convicted on a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.

The Magistrate, Mrs O.O. Odumosu, held that the evidence presented by the prosecution had proven beyond reasonable doubt that the convicts were guilty of the offence as charged.

Odumosu sentenced both mother and daughter to six months in prison each with an option of N5,000 fine.

She ordered that the convicts should refund N100,000 each to the complainant as restitution before accessing the N5,000 fine option.

Earlier, the prosecutor, Insp. Kehinde Fawunmi, had told the court that the defendants committed the offence at Lafenwa market sometime in August 2024.

Fawunmi explained that Falilatu conspired with her daughter, Ayisatu, to steal a big sack containing stock fish, dried ponmo and dried cow meat valued N1million, belonging to one Mrs kafayat Alao.

According to him, one of the defendants, Falilatu, used to help the complainant to carry load from her store in Lafenwa to where the complainant sells her items.

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“The complainant asked her to help her pick some goods from the store. She waited for over an hour and did not see the defendant, which made her to go to the store to check on her.

“On getting to the store, she did not find Falilatu, and she noticed a big bag containing dried meat, ponmo and stock fish was missing while the defendant was nowhere to be found,” he said.

Fawunmi further explained that Falilatu stole the goods and gave it to her daughter (Ayisatu) to sell. He said Ayisatu received the goods from her mother, knowing that they were stolen.

The prosecutor noted that the offence committed contravened sections 516, 390(9) and 127 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun 2006.

Mother, daughter who stole ponmo, stock fish in Ogun jailed six months

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Ex-Rivers HoS wife cries for help over husband’s safety

Published

3 hours ago

March 29, 2025

Trends Admin

Florence Nwaeke and her husband, George Nwaeke

Ex-Rivers HoS wife cries for help over husband’s safety

The wife of the immediate past Rivers State Head of Service, George Nwaeke, has voiced concerns over his whereabouts and well-being following his resignation, saying she has been unable to reach him.

Speaking to journalists on Friday, Florence Nwaeke said she became alarmed after seeing an online interview attributed to her husband, which she found suspicious.

“When he got to Abuja, he called that he had landed. I said, ‘Thank God,’” she recalled.

However, after coming across the interview, she began to fear something was amiss.

“I said, ‘That is not my husband. That is not my husband.’

“So I sent him a message. I said, ‘Are you under duress?’ I sent him a message. I said, ‘Have they kidnapped you? Talk to me now. Why are you not talking to me?’ This is the message I sent to him when I saw his interview online,” she said.

Overcome with worry, she made an emotional appeal for help.

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“Oh, Jesus, help me. Nigerians, help me. My husband is in trouble. My husband is in trouble. My husband is in trouble. My husband is in trouble. Look at the message I sent to him. See the message I sent to him. I said, ‘Daddy, why? Were you in hostage?’ I said, ‘Why didn’t you talk to me?’ These are the messages I sent to him, but he didn’t reply to me. His numbers are not going through. Nigerians, help me! Nigerians, help me!” she pleaded.

Her concerns follow allegations made by George Nwaeke against suspended Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara. Nwaeke had accused the governor of plotting to back Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed for the 2027 presidency and of using militants to attack oil facilities. He also alleged that Fubara ordered the bombing of the State House of Assembly in 2023 to prevent his impeachment.

Florence Nwaeke, beyond raising alarm in the media, also directed a personal plea to the governor.

“Governor, help me. My husband is in trouble. He is in trouble,” she implored, claiming that her husband resigned under pressure.

However, Fubara dismissed the claims, insisting that Nwaeke had been influenced by external forces.

“The truth is that Dr. Nwaeke has been compromised, and whatever he is saying is only aimed at fulfilling his promise to those who may have paid or coerced him to lie against me,” the governor stated late Friday.

Fubara also released screenshots purportedly showing chats between Nwaeke and his Chief of Staff, Edison Ehie, where Nwaeke allegedly requested financial assistance.

Ex-Rivers HoS wife cries for help over husband’s safety

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Fubara reacts as Ex-HOS, Nwaeke accuses him of bombing oil pipelines, Rivers Assembly

Published

3 hours ago

March 29, 2025

Trends Admin

Siminalayi Fubara

Fubara reacts as Ex-HOS, Nwaeke accuses him of bombing oil pipelines, Rivers Assembly

Suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara has denied accusations from his former Head of Service, George Nwaeke, disclosing that he never ordered the bombing of the Rivers State House of Assembly or any Oil Pipeline.

Fubara, in a statement made available to newsmen, stated that no such thing occurred during his administration. The statement read;

“My attention has been drawn to a press briefing by the former Head of Service, Dr. George Nwaeke aired on Channels Television on Friday the 28th of March 2025. Ordinarily, I would not have responded to his claims, but to correct the erroneous impression such allegations may create in the minds of the people, and the disaffection it is bound to cause in the state and the country.”

“First, on the claim that he was aware of my discussions and plans to support Bala Mohammed’s alleged 2027 presidential bid, it is laughable that Dr. Nwaeke would be part of any high level political meeting as Head of Service, much more sitting in my alleged night meetings with Bala Mohammed and militants like he claimed. Howbeit, none of such meetings ever held.”

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“The truth is that the whole world knew when the Bauchi State Governor, as Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party Governors Forum visited the State, and there was nothing secret about the visits.”

“It is also ludicrous for Dr. Nwaeke to claim that he was aware of my meetings to encourage attacks on oil pipelines and other National assets in the State, as there was no time I held any meeting with militants or any criminal group to destabilise the State. It is on record that I have been at the forefront preaching peace in the State even in the face of obvious provocations.”

“The truth is that Dr. Nwaeke has been compromised, and whatever he is saying is only aimed at fulfilling his promise to those who may have paid or coerced him to lie against me.”

“I call on all well meaning Nigerians and the good people of Rivers State to disregard everything said by Dr. Nwaeke as they are mere desperate attempts to discredit me and my administration, and undermine the peace process by Mr. President”.