NDLEA Arrests Fugitive Drug Queen, Recovers ₦5bn Cocaine in Lagos Children’s Room - Newstrends
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NDLEA Arrests Fugitive Drug Queen, Recovers ₦5bn Cocaine in Lagos Children’s Room

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ugitive drug syndicate leader, Shodunke Yetunde Simbiat
Shodunke Yetunde Simbiat

NDLEA Arrests Fugitive Drug Queen, Recovers ₦5bn Cocaine in Lagos Children’s Room

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a fugitive drug syndicate leader, Shodunke Yetunde Simbiat, and recovered 23.5 kilograms of cocaine worth over ₦5 billion from her Lagos residence, intensifying Nigeria’s war against illicit drugs.

In a statement on Sunday, the Director of Media and Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, Femi Babafemi, said Simbiat had been on the run since May 2024 following the dismantling of a major cocaine trafficking cartel operating across Lagos, Ogun and Ghana.

Babafemi explained that the cartel, led by a couple — Bolanle Lookman Dauda and Olayinka Toheebat Dauda — was smashed about 20 months ago by operatives of a special NDLEA operations unit.

According to him, Lookman and Toheebat were arrested on Saturday, May 25, 2024, at Ibiye along the Lagos–Badagry Expressway, while attempting to cross the land border into Ghana to deliver a cocaine consignment.

“At the point of arrest, 42 blocks of cocaine weighing 47.5 kilograms were recovered from them,” Babafemi said.

He added that a follow-up raid on their residence at Plot 24/25 OPIC Extension, Petedo Road, Agbara, Ogun State, led to the seizure of eight additional blocks weighing 10 kilograms, bringing the total to 57.5 kilograms of cocaine.

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Babafemi said NDLEA operatives sustained intelligence-led surveillance to dismantle the entire trans-border drug trafficking organisation (DTO), leading to the identification of Simbiat, a 39-year-old female stash keeper, as a key member.

38407646-66e3-4243-8786-8b3542c54e3f“As a result, she was trailed to her residence at 31 Onasanya Street, Surulere, Lagos, where she was arrested on Tuesday, December 9, 2025,” he said.

The statement added: “A thorough search of her home led to the discovery of 23.5 kilograms of cocaine concealed in a black suitcase recovered from her children’s room. She admitted ownership of the drug consignment, valued at over ₦5 billion in street value.”

Meanwhile, Babafemi disclosed that NDLEA operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos, on Thursday, December 18, intercepted a 36-year-old businessman, Nwanwene Robinson Destiny, with 1,020 pills of tramadol (225mg) and tapentadol (200mg) hidden in his luggage while attempting to board a Royal Air Maroc flight to Milan, Italy.

He said the suspect claimed the drugs would have earned him €200 upon delivery in Italy.

In another operation at the Seme border, Badagry, NDLEA officers arrested a 48-year-old Beninoise, Leocardi Josu, with 3,400 tablets of tramadol 225mg on the same day.

Also, a suspect, Abdullahi Adamu (30), was arrested along the Okene–Lokoja highway with 28.4kg of skunk and Colorado, a synthetic cannabis, on Friday, December 19.

In Oyo State, NDLEA operatives recovered 125,000 capsules of tramadol and 1,800 ampoules of pentazocine injections from a Toyota Hiace bus along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, while two suspects — Ogunlade Kazeem (54) and Adeleke Ismail (30) — were arrested with 185.4kg of skunk at Challenge Motor Park, Ibadan.

Similarly, a raid on the Owena/Ijesha forest in Osun State yielded 405kg of skunk, with a suspect, Charles James (45), arrested. Another suspect, Jamilu Zakari (42), was nabbed with 14,960 tramadol pills concealed in kolanut sacks along the Abuja–Kaduna highway.

Babafemi said NDLEA commands nationwide also sustained their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaigns in schools, worship centres, workplaces and communities.

Commending the officers involved, the NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), urged personnel to remain vigilant during the festive season and maintain the highest standards of professionalism in all drug supply and demand reduction efforts.

NDLEA Arrests Fugitive Drug Queen, Recovers ₦5bn Cocaine in Lagos Children’s Room

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Ogun Man Arrested After ₦4,000 Debt Dispute Claims Stepbrother’s Life

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Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi

Ogun Man Arrested After ₦4,000 Debt Dispute Claims Stepbrother’s Life

A dispute over a ₦4,000 debt has turned deadly in Ogun State, as the Ogun State Police Command arrested a man, Lekan Lasisi, for allegedly killing his stepbrother during an argument in Abule Tuntun, Odeda Local Government Area.

The incident occurred on December 19, following a heated confrontation between the suspect and the deceased over the latter’s repeated habit of incurring debts, according to police sources.

Lasisi reportedly became enraged after being confronted by several of his stepbrother’s creditors, who allegedly demanded that he settle the outstanding debts on behalf of the deceased.

According to the suspect, the disagreement escalated when his stepbrother allegedly attempted to attack him with a cutlass. In response, Lasisi claimed he brought out a locally made gun, stating that he is a hunter, but the weapon accidentally discharged, fatally wounding his stepbrother.

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In an interrogation video circulating on social media, Lasisi narrated that on the day of the incident, the deceased had gone to the market to sell garri. While heading to the bus stop, he was approached by a woman who claimed the deceased owed her ₦4,000.

“When my brother returned from the market, I confronted him about the debts and the shame it was bringing on the family,” Lasisi said. “He became aggressive and brought out a cutlass. I brought out my gun, but it went off accidentally. I did not intend to kill him.”

Lasisi admitted to firing the gun but maintained that the shooting was unintentional. He appealed to the government to show mercy, citing the poor health of their elderly mother and another sibling who is currently bedridden.

“I was worried when it happened. I rushed to help him immediately. I am pleading for mercy because my mother is sick and has no one to care for her,” he said.

Confirming the incident, the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, said the case had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Eleweran, for further investigation.

“It happened on December 19, and the matter has been transferred to SCID,” the police spokesperson said.

The incident adds to a growing list of fatal disputes over small sums of money across the country. A similar case was reported last week in Delta State, where a 47-year-old man allegedly killed his cousin during an argument over the refund of a ₦1,000 contribution following a family burial in Ughelli South Local Government Area.

Ogun Man Arrested After ₦4,000 Debt Dispute Claims Stepbrother’s Life

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Two Close Aides of Anthony Joshua Identified as Victims of Fatal Crash

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Two Close Aides of Anthony Joshua Identified as Victims of Fatal Crash

Two Close Aides of Anthony Joshua Identified as Victims of Fatal Crash

Two close associates of former heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua have been confirmed dead following a tragic road accident on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway on Monday.

Joshua’s promoter, Matchroom Boxing, identified the victims as Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele, both long-standing members of the boxer’s inner circle. The organisation confirmed the development in an official statement.

“With profound sadness, it has been confirmed that two close friends and team members Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele have tragically passed away,” Matchroom Boxing said.

The statement added that Anthony Joshua sustained injuries in the crash and was taken to hospital for medical evaluation. “He is in a stable condition and remains under observation,” it said.

The BBC also confirmed that the deceased were key members of Joshua’s team. Just hours before the accident, Joshua had shared an Instagram story showing him playing table tennis with Ayodele, popularly known as Latz.

Victims Identified

Sina Ghami served as Joshua’s strength and conditioning coach for more than a decade and was a close personal friend. He co-founded Evolve Gym in London and was a qualified sports and exercise rehabilitator, specialising in musculoskeletal injuries and corrective exercise.

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According to reports, Ghami worked with elite athletes across several sports, including the NFL, NBA, and Michigan State University’s football programme. He had shared photos from Lagos shortly before the crash and frequently appeared alongside Joshua on social media.

Latif Ayodele, widely known as Latz, was Joshua’s personal trainer. His social media posts often highlighted his dedication to fitness and faith, as well as his professional relationship with the boxer. He was seen with Joshua shortly before the accident and appeared in a video shared online hours earlier.

How the Crash Happened

The accident occurred around 11:00 a.m. at Makun, near Danco Filling Station, before the Sagamu Interchange on the Ibadan-bound lane of the expressway.

An eyewitness said the incident involved a two-vehicle convoy comprising a Lexus SUV and a Pajero SUV.

“It was a two-vehicle convoy. Joshua was seated behind the driver, with another passenger beside him. His security detail was in the vehicle behind them,” the witness said, adding that rescue efforts began immediately before officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) arrived.

Two passengers reportedly died at the scene, while Joshua sustained minor injuries.

Official Confirmation

The Ogun State Police Command confirmed the incident, stating that two occupants died instantly, while Anthony Joshua and another individual were taken to hospital. The bodies were deposited at Livewell Hospital Morgue, Sagamu, as investigations commenced.

Preliminary findings by the FRSC attributed the crash to excessive speed and wrongful overtaking, noting that the Lexus SUV lost control before colliding with a stationary truck.

Joshua, who was born to British-Nigerian parents, attended boarding school in Ikenne, just a few kilometres from the crash site.

Presidential Reaction and Tributes

President Bola Tinubu later confirmed the identities of the deceased and disclosed that he had spoken directly with Joshua and his mother.

“AJ assured me he is receiving the best possible care,” Tinubu said in a post on X.

Tributes have continued to pour in from fans, athletes and public figures. Joshua’s recent opponent, Jake Paul, wrote: “I am praying for the lost lives, AJ and everyone impacted by today’s unfortunate accident.”

Two Close Aides of Anthony Joshua Identified as Victims of Fatal Crash

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Wrongful Overtaking Led to Anthony Joshua Auto Crash, Says FRSC

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Anthony Joshua accident scene
Anthony Joshua accident scene

Wrongful Overtaking Led to Anthony Joshua Auto Crash, Says FRSC

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has attributed the motor accident involving Anthony Joshua on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway to excessive speed and wrongful overtaking, describing the violations as major contributors to fatal crashes on Nigerian highways.

Two people were confirmed dead on Monday after a Lexus SUV conveying the Nigerian-British boxing star collided with a stationary truck around the Sinoma area near the Sagamu axis of the expressway. The accident occurred at about 12 noon, while Joshua sustained minor injuries.

In a statement, the FRSC said preliminary investigations revealed that the SUV was travelling beyond the legally prescribed speed limit before the driver lost control during an overtaking manoeuvre, resulting in the crash.

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“The primary causes of the crash, being excessive speed and wrongful overtaking, constitute serious traffic violations and remain among the leading causes of fatal road crashes on Nigerian highways,” the statement said.

The corps confirmed that the bodies of the two deceased victims have been deposited at Livewell Morgue, Ajaka, Sagamu, while the Nigeria Police Motor Traffic Division (MTD) has been notified to support further investigation.

FRSC Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, on behalf of the management and staff of the agency, expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and wished Anthony Joshua a speedy recovery.

Although born in England, Joshua frequently visits his hometown of Sagamu, Ogun State, and has remained closely connected to Nigeria. During a visit last year, he socialised with local celebrities and presented President Bola Tinubu with a signed boxing glove.

The latest visit comes just days after Joshua knocked out Jake Paul in an exhibition heavyweight bout at the Kaseya Centre, Miami.

Wrongful Overtaking Led to Anthony Joshua Auto Crash, Says FRSC

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