Four drug lords jailed 28 years, forfeit VGC houses, money - Newstrends
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Four drug lords jailed 28 years, forfeit VGC houses, money

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The jailed drug lords

Four drug lords jailed 28 years, forfeit VGC houses, money

Four drug kingpins arrested in connection with the historic seizure of 2,139.55 kilograms of cocaine at an Ikorodu residential estate in 2022 have been convicted by a Federal High Court, Lagos, presided over by Justice Yellim Bogoro who sentenced them to various jail terms totalling twenty-eight (28) years with hard labour.

The convicts: Soji Jubril Oke, 71; Wasiu Akinade, 55; Emmanuel Arinze Chukwu, 67; and Kelvin Christopher Smith, 44, a Jamaican, were charged with six counts in charge number: FHC/L/607C/2022 in October and December 2022, while the trial of the fifth suspect, Oguntolure Sunday arraigned along with them is still ongoing in court.

A statement issued by Femi Babafemi, Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, Abuja on Thursday said the charges border on conspiracy to form and operate a drug trafficking organization (DTO); management and financing of a DTO; importation and possession of 2,139.55 kilograms of cocaine, among others.

According to the statement operatives of a special operations unit of NDLEA had in a well-coordinated and intelligence-led operation on Sunday 18th September, 2022 raided a house located at 6 Olukuola crescent, Solebo estate, Ikorodu, Lagos where the over 2.1 tons of cocaine were seized, the largest singular cocaine seizure in the history of Nigeria’s anti-narcotic operations.

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It said the drug kingpins were picked from hotels and their hideouts in different parts of Lagos between the night of Sunday 18th and Monday 19th September 2022.

After over two years of diligent prosecution, the trial judge handed the Jamaican, Kelvin Christopher Smith four years imprisonment with hard labour; Emmanuel Arinze Chukwu got a total of 16 years; Soji Jubril Oke got five years with hard labour and Wasiu Akinade three years with hard labour. The trial judge however gave the convicts varying options of fine with the exception of one of them who will serve his full jail term without an option of fine.

They were also to forfeit a grey colour Toyota Tacoma SUV marked AAA-734HT registered in the name of Emmanuel Chukwu; $50,000:00 USD (Fifty Thousand US Dollars) belonging to Chukwu; N55,099,509.50 (Fifty-Five Million, Ninety-Nine Thousand, Five Hundred and Nine Naira, Fifty Kobo only) also belonging to Chukwu; the sum of N9,003,168.06 (Nine Million Three Thousand, One Hundred and Sixty-Eight Naira Six Kobo only) belonging to Wasiu Akinade and N3,052,295.20 (Three Million, Fifty-Two Thousand, Two Hundred and Ninety-Five Naira Twenty Kobo only), also belonging to Akinade.

The Agency also in another suit marked FHC/L/MISC/672/2024 and filed before Justice Bogoro on 9th December 2024 after an initial interim forfeiture order, secured the final forfeiture of two houses linked to members of the drug cartel. According to the trial court: “An Order of final forfeiture and confiscation is granted in favour of the Federal Government of Nigeria, Landed Property/House Number 6 Olokunola Street, Sholebo Estate, Ikorodu Lagos, Lagos State, as contained in Exhibit NDLEA 2A, 2B, and 2C attached to this application used for the storage and concealment of 2,139.55kg (More Than Two Tons) Cocaine, an illicit substance similar to Heroin and LSD.

“That an Order of final forfeiture and confiscation is granted in favour of the Federal Government of Nigeria, Landed Property/House Number J9, Road 3, Close 1,

Victoria Garden City (VGC) Estate, Lagos, Lagos State, as contained in Exhibit NDLEA 3

attached to this application reasonably believed to be bought with proceeds derived

from trafficking in illicit drug substances (proceeds of crime) as in relief 1 of this Motion.

“That an Order is granted directing the sale or disposal by any other means provided by law of the forfeited House/Landed Property by the Applicant and the payment of the proceeds therefrom to the Federal Government of Nigeria.”

 

Four drug lords jailed 28 years, forfeit VGC houses, money

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NDLEA Arrests Woman With 266 Rounds of Live AK-47 Ammunition on Abuja-Kaduna Expressway

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NDLEA Arrests Woman With 266 Rounds of Live AK-47 Ammunition on Abuja-Kaduna Expressway

 

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a woman identified as Aisha Isah after allegedly recovering 266 rounds of live AK-47 ammunition from her along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway.

 

The suspect was reportedly arrested at a toll gate during a patrol operation by NDLEA operatives along the busy highway.

 

The agency’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, disclosed the arrest in a statement issued on Sunday, November 1, 2026.

 

According to the statement, the ammunition recovered from the woman consisted of 266 live rounds meant for an AK-47 rifle.

 

However, the NDLEA did not disclose where the suspect was travelling from, her intended destination or the circumstances surrounding the possession and transportation of the ammunition.

 

The arrest comes amid intensified security operations across the country, particularly along major highways and other routes suspected to be used for the movement of illicit substances and other prohibited items.

 

In a related operation, NDLEA operatives arrested a 68-year-old man, identified as Ifeanyi Egwolonwu, at Gwargwaje in Zaria, Kaduna State, along the Zaria-Kano Expressway.

 

The suspect was allegedly found with 2,770 ampoules of pentazocine injection, 100 ampoules of diazepam injection, 11,000 tablets of diazepam and 4,500 tablets of Exol-5.

 

The agency also reported several arrests and major drug seizures in different parts of the country as part of its ongoing operations against drug trafficking and related criminal activities.

 

The NDLEA has yet to provide further details about the investigation into the alleged ammunition possession by Aisha Isah.

 

NDLEA Arrests Woman With 266 Rounds of Live AK-47 Ammunition on Abuja-Kaduna Expressway

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How 40 Motorcycles-Riding Bandits Ambushed, Brutalised Six Kwara Security Operatives

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Kwara Police Deny Shooting Motorcyclist at Oyun Bridge, Explain Viral Video

How 40 Motorcycles-Riding Bandits Ambushed, Brutalised Six Kwara Security Operatives

 

Suspected bandits have reportedly ambushed and brutalised six members of the Iru Ekun Security Network in Bani community, Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State.

 

The attack occurred as the operatives were returning from a meeting in Kaiama town, shortly before reaching Bani community.

 

The chairman of the private security organisation, Isiak Olayiwola, disclosed details of the incident, describing the attack as heartbreaking and a disturbing development for community-based security efforts in the state.

 

According to Olayiwola, the six operatives were travelling back to Bani when between 30 and 40 motorcycles carrying armed men suddenly emerged and launched an attack on them.

 

He said the attackers were heavily armed with AK-47 rifles and other weapons, adding that the security operatives had only two firearms among them for personal protection.

 

Olayiwola explained that his men were not on a mission to confront any armed group but were simply returning from their meeting when they were ambushed.

 

He said, “They were returning from a meeting in Kaiama town to Bani when they were ambushed on their way back.”

 

The security chief added that the attackers opened fire on the operatives shortly before they entered the community.

 

He expressed gratitude that none of the six members was killed during the attack, attributing their survival to divine intervention.

 

A video of the incident, which surfaced on October 26, showed the captured operatives sitting on the ground with their hands tied behind their backs while armed men interrogated them.

 

In the footage, the captors repeatedly questioned the victims about their membership of the Iru Ekun Security Network and their activities in Bani community.

 

One of the armed men was heard challenging the operatives over what he described as their refusal to heed earlier warnings against associating with the security organisation or accommodating its members in the community.

 

One of the captives, identified as Jelili Alagbere, who was wearing an Iru Ekun-branded shirt, was questioned about his involvement in the organisation.

 

Another captive, Yusuf Alagbere, reportedly identified himself as a hunter, explaining that he had been invited by some individuals known as the Elere boys.

 

A third captive, identified as Rafiu, was also questioned about his identity and connection with the security outfit.

 

An elderly man among the captives, however, denied belonging to the organisation, insisting that he was not an Iru Ekun member.

 

Towards the end of the recording, the armed men reportedly asked the captives whether they would continue participating in the organisation’s activities. The victims were heard responding in the negative.

 

Olayiwola subsequently identified one of the suspected attackers as Sardauna, alleging that he was among those who participated in the shooting and personally recorded the interrogation.

 

He claimed that Sardauna was holding the phone and conducting the questioning while also opening fire on the security operatives.

 

The chairman said the video eventually found its way to the security organisation, although the person who recorded it was allegedly unaware that it would reach them.

 

Meanwhile, Olayiwola commended the Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, for his efforts towards securing the rescue of the six operatives.

 

The incident has raised fresh concerns about the security situation in parts of Kwara State, particularly the dangers confronting local security groups involved in protecting vulnerable communities against armed attacks and kidnapping.

 

The development also highlights the growing risks faced by community-based security operatives operating in areas where heavily armed criminal groups reportedly maintain a presence.

 

How 40 Motorcycles-Riding Bandits Ambushed, Brutalised Six Kwara Security Operatives

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‘My Only Hope’: Mother Mourns Son Found Beheaded in Cross River

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Two Grandfathers Among Five Arrested Over Alleged Motorcycle Theft Syndicate in Calabar

‘My Only Hope’: Mother Mourns Son Found Beheaded in Cross River

The body of a 14-year-old boy, identified simply as Ogar, has been discovered without his head in a river at Yahe community in Yala Local Government Area of Cross River State.

The tragic discovery followed the teenager’s disappearance from home, leaving his family and residents of the community in shock.

According to a report by Vanguard, Ogar was last seen on Friday afternoon after returning from school. He reportedly left home shortly after having his meal but failed to return.

His mother, Agnes, said the family became worried when they could not find him and subsequently organised a search.

However, their search ended in tragedy on Saturday afternoon when the boy’s body was discovered in the Yahe River, about one kilometre from the community.

The grieving mother, who reportedly lost her husband three years ago, lamented that her son was her only source of hope.

“I don’t know who did this wicked act to me — my only source of hope after his father died three years ago. His body without the head was found at the river,” she said.

Agnes expressed confusion over how her son ended up in the river, explaining that the water was usually dirty and brownish at this time of the year and was not commonly used for swimming or washing clothes.

She also said she could not establish whether someone had taken the teenager to the river or how he got there.

A classmate of the deceased, identified as Jacob, reportedly said Ogar did not inform him or their other friends that he intended to go anywhere with anybody.

He added that he only learnt about the tragedy after news emerged that the teenager’s body had been discovered.

Meanwhile, a source at the Yahe Police Station confirmed that the incident was being investigated.

The police source, however, declined to provide further details, explaining that the Divisional Police Officer was away in Calabar.

“I can tell you we are investigating the matter,” the source said.

The circumstances surrounding the teenager’s death, including the whereabouts of his missing head and the identity of those responsible, remain unclear.

Residents are awaiting further details from the police as investigations continue.

‘My Only Hope’: Mother Mourns Son Found Beheaded in Cross River

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