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NDLEA Arrests Four Wanted Kingpins over 16 Tons of Illegal Drugs

Two ladies and two men wanted in connection with over 16,000 kilograms (16 tons) of illicit drugs intercepted in Lagos, Abuja and Netherlands top the list of arrests by operatives of the National Drug law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA in parts of the country in the past week.
In Lagos, anti-narcotics officers who have been on the trail of 48-year-old Aro Aderinde for weeks arrested him on Sunday 16th October over his involvement in the export of 3,149kgs cannabis sativa concealed in coconut fibres via container number MSKU 1820587.
In the same vein, two women: Hauwawu Bashiru and Basirat Adebisi Yahaya linked to the attempt to export 90 kilograms of methamphetamine through Pastor Anietie Okon Effiong of Promise of Zion Church, Oron, Akwa Ibom state, were equally arrested in Lagos and moved to Uyo to face charges along with the clergyman.
Pastor Effiong was earlier arrested on Saturday 6th August.
A notorious drug dealer in the Mushin-Isolo axis of Lagos, Monday Michael, 45, was also arrested on Monday 17th October while conveying 365.7kgs of cannabis in two Toyota Sienna space buses marked FST 189 FD and FST 273 GF.
Another drug lord, Abdulkadir Mohammed, 47, wanted over the seizure of 5,640kgs cannabis at a warehouse in Chukuku area of Kuje, Abuja, was nabbed on Sunday 16th October, following the arrest of his wife, Saadatu Abdullahi, 35, who was found at the store when it was raided.
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In Edo, at least 10 suspects were arrested in connection with the seizure of 4,870.2kgs cannabis in parts of the state. On Wednesday 19th October, operatives stormed Ohusu forest boundary, Ovia south west local government area where they recovered a total of 3,159.7kgs and arrested three suspects: Effiong Udo; Daniel Asuquo Ebong and Asuquo Effiong.
Similarly, on Saturday 22nd October, operatives intercepted a Toyota Sienna space bus conveying 49 bags of C/S weighing 638.5kgs along Uwenusi road in Uhunmonde LGA, while 36kgs of the same substance stored in the bush along Uromi/Ubiaja road were equally recovered. In another operation, three suspects: John Paul, Liberty Rolland, and Aboki Stephen were arrested at Okpe in Akoko Edo with 55kgs of cannabis.
No less than 127kgs of C/S were seized and a suspect, Pius Okon John arrested while 854kgs of the same substance were recovered when operatives raided Okpe forest where some cannabis farms were destroyed. Three suspects: David Obada, Blessing Okechukwu and Odoh Sunday caught with the 854kgs C/S were arrested.
In Ondo state, operatives stormed the Aponmu forest in Idanre LGA where 52 bags of C/S that weighed 676kgs and the truck being used to load the consignment were recovered on Sunday 16th October, while the trio of Christopher Amuzoga, Chikogu Samuel and Ijeoma Okenna were arrested with 690kgs of cannabis at Ipele forest on Tuesday 18th October.
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In Kano, operatives arrested Isah Suleman Mohammed and Sandra Okafor at Dakata area on Friday 21st October after they were caught with 538 blocks of C/S weighing 391.2kgs; 259,000 tablets of tramadol; 100 bottles of Codeine based syrup, and 150,000 tablets of pregabalin.
This followed the arrest of Abel John and Helen James with 328.7kgs C/S at Gonin gora area of Kaduna, while 5,000 tablets of tramadol and 25,000 tablets of Exol-5 were recovered along Abuja-Kaduna express road. In the same vein, a suspect, Yahaya Musa, was arrested on Sunday 16th October at Tashar Yari, Kaduna, with over 30,000 tablets of tramadol, diazepam and exol-5.
In Bauchi, a suspect, Ogbonna Ikechukwu, was arrested at Gadar Maiwa, Ningi LGA, with 67, 960 tablets of various types of psychotropic substances while in Akwa Ibom state, operatives raided the Marina market, Eket, where quantities of illicit substances along with One million one hundred and ninety three thousand and sixty naira(N1,193.060) cash and
Eight hundred and forty nine thousand (N849,000.00) fake currency were recovered from fleeing suspects.
While commending the officers and men of Lagos, Ondo, Edo, FCT, Bauchi, Akwa Ibom, Kano, Kaduna, and Apapa Port Commands of the anti-narcotics Agency for the arrests and seizures, its Chairman/Chief Executive, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), CON, OFR, said the arrest of the fleeing drug kingpins is a warning signal to those still in the criminal illicit drug trade that the long arm of the law will soon catch up with them. He charged officers and men across all commands to intensify the heat on the drug cartels until they are dismantled.
Femi Babafemi
Director, Media & Advocacy
NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja
Sunday 23rd October 2022
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Four Nigerian students arrested after drug ring bust in India

Four Nigerian students arrested after drug ring bust in India
The India’s Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), along with Delhi Police, busted a drug cartel, arrested five suspects including four foreign students from an “influential Nigerian family” and seized MDMA, high-quality crystal meth and Afghan heroin worth Rs 27 crore.
The raid was conducted in the Chattarpur area of Delhi on Monday, March 31, 2025.
Announcing the seizure in a statement on the social media platform X, Union Home Minister, Amit Shah praised the agencies, saying, “Our relentless hunt against the illicit trade continues.”
According to officials, the NCB and the Delhi Police’s Special Cell traced the source of the drugs to a rented accommodation of an African national, where the MDMA was being synthesised.
Five, including four African nationals belonging to an influential family of Nigeria, have been arrested, a senior MHA official said.
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Acting on inputs about a high-quality methamphetamine transaction in Chhatarpur area, a joint team of NCB and the Special Cell intercepted a vehicle carrying 5.103 kg of crystal methamphetamine, valued at Rs 10.2 crore.
Questioning of the accused and technical tracking led them to an ‘African Kitchen’ in West Delhi’s Tilak Nagar, identified as the source of the contraband.
From this location, 1.156 kgs of crystal methamphetamine, 4.142 kgs of Afghan heroin, and 5.776 kgs of MDMA (Ecstasy pills) have been recovered, officials said.
Further probe led to a follow-up search at a rented apartment in Greater Noida from where 389 grams of Afghan heroin and 26 grams of cocaine have been recovered.
According to the officials, the accused are students of private universities in NCR and Punjab. Besides drugs, they are also suspected to be involved in cryptocurrency trade.
Four Nigerian students arrested after drug ring bust in India
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Ponzi schemes promoters in Nigeria now face 10 years jail

Ponzi schemes promoters in Nigeria now face 10 years jail
The Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, has warned that promoters and operators of any Ponzi Scheme in the country risk a penalty of not less than N20 million or imprisonment to a term of 10 years or both, upon conviction as prescribed by the provisions of the newly signed Investments and Securities Act 2025.
The SEC’s Director-General, Dr. Emomotimi Agama who stated this in Abuja, said the goal of the new legislation is to strengthen the legal framework governing Nigeria’s capital market, better protect investors, and introduce reforms that will promote market integrity, transparency, and sustainable growth.
He explained that previously, the SEC lacked the legal power to prosecute Ponzi scheme operators, which made it difficult to bring offenders to justice.
However, under the new law, those convicted of operating Ponzi schemes face a jail term of 10 years or more. “With the new law, they now face a 10-year jail term and beyond,” he said.
He further explained that the Act stipulates a minimum fine of N10 million for anyone operating a Ponzi scheme in Nigeria.
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“So, N10 million is not the entire penalty or the entire money that will be charged or sanctioned to any suspecting or any accused capital market or non-capital market operator. It is just part of the penalties and or the sanctions that will be meted against such persons,” Agama explained.
The SEC Director-General also said that sanctions will include “disgorgement,” meaning that any profits or gains obtained from defrauding Nigerians will be recovered adding “It is not about the quantum of the fraud, it is about sanctions that would deter people from even getting into it”.
Also, Agama said the new ISA has also provided the SEC with the power to be able to obtain and request telephone conversations and all other conversations that are required to Prosecute Ponzi operators.
“We recognize that a lot of Nigerians have fallen prey to these sponsor schemes and the reason why that is the case is because there were no sanctions. You know enough to deter them from doing this so what this Act has done is to introduce measures for Ponzi scheme operators and intending Ponzi scheme operators not to be able to do this again against the wish and will of Nigerians.
“Protecting the investors in Nigeria is a cardinal responsibility of the SEC and this law has provided the SEC with stronger powers to be able to do that. This law has also been able to provide the SEC with the power to be able to search phones and get phone records for people who are interested in dealing with Nigerians or interested in duping Nigerians. We are able to get these records and quickly provide enforcement actions for the people that are involved so for us it is limitless,” he added.
Ponzi schemes promoters in Nigeria now face 10 years jail
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Kogi LG imposes curfew ahead of Natasha’s homecoming event

Kogi LG imposes curfew ahead of Natasha’s homecoming event
The Chairman of Okehi Local Government Area, Kogi State, Amoka Monday, has imposed a curfew across the council.
Monday cited security concerns following the ban on political rallies and unauthorised public gatherings.
In a statement he signed on Monday, he explained that the curfew was necessary to ensure peace and order in line with directives from the Kogi State Government and Commissioner of Police.
He noted that anyone found loitering or assembling in restricted zones without clearance from the relevant authorities will be arrested and prosecuted.
According to him: “The curfew, which takes immediate effect, restricts movement and gatherings in designated areas.
“Anyone found loitering or assembling in restricted zones without clearance from the relevant authorities will be arrested and prosecuted.
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“The safety of our people is paramount. We will not allow any situation that could jeopardise the peace and stability of our communities.”
The chairman emphasized that the curfew was a proactive step to prevent any potential security threats.
He reassured residents that the local government administration was working closely with security agencies to monitor the situation and take necessary measures to maintain law and order.
The curfew and the ban on political rallies are part of the Kogi State Government’s broader efforts to preserve peace, curb misinformation, and ensure that public gatherings adhere to legal guidelines.
Residents have been urged to comply with the directive and cooperate with security agencies to safeguard lives and property.
The administration also appealed for calm, encouraging the public to go about their daily activities within the confines of the law.
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