NDLEA wanted drug baron arrested in Imo hometown – Newstrends
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NDLEA wanted drug baron arrested in Imo hometown

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NDLEA wanted drug baron arrested in Imo hometown

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it has arrested the leader of the syndicate behind the production and distribution of the deadly psychoactive substance, methamphetamine, popularly called ‘mkpuru mmiri’, Joachin Chikaodi Mbonu, in his house in his hometown in Imo state.

The agency said the 42-year-old was arrested alongside his associate in his mansion tucked in his Umuomi village, Uzogba-Ezenomi autonomous community, Ikeduru local government area.

The director of media and advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, Femi Babafemi, in a statement on Tuesday, July 9, said the cartel with operational bases in Imo and Rivers state became a target of the Agency following intelligence indicating it is responsible for the distribution of a substantial quantity of methamphetamine in South East, South-South and other parts of the country.

Babafemi said after weeks of surveillance, officers of a special operations unit of the Agency on Friday 5th July 2024, tracked and traced the drug lord to his village mansion in Imo state where he was caught with a member of his cartel, Kenneth Chibuike Ofoegbu, 34, with different quantities of methamphetamine, its precursor chemicals, a pump action gun and cartridges recovered.

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He said exhibits recovered from the house include: 419.99 grams of methamphetamine; 750 grams of iodine, a precursor chemical for meth; 500 grams of sodium bicarbonate, a precursor chemical for meth; two electronic weighing scales and a pump action gun with four cartridges.

According to the statement, the NDLEA operatives moved swiftly to another of Mbonu’s hideouts located at 11 Redemption Avenue, Port Harcourt, Rivers state where they recovered additional exhibits: 750 grams of processed sodium bicarbonate; 170 grams of plain sodium bicarbonate, and 75 grams of meth.

It indicated that another raid in the home of one of Mbonu’s associates, Odoemenam Pedro Chinedu, currently at large, at Njaba LGA, Imo state, led to the recovery of another pump action gun with 25 cartridges, among other items.

Babafemi said while the kingpin cools his heels in custody, two of his mansions in Imo state have been marked for possible forfeiture to the federal government.

The statement reads: “Mbonu had escaped from South Africa where he lived for years and mastered the art of cooking methamphetamine after he came under investigation for drug dealings. Upon his return to Nigeria, he continued the criminal trade by setting up clandestine laboratories in remote villages to shield his nefarious activities.

“Reacting to the successful taking down of the meth syndicate, Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) commended the officers and men involved in the multi-pronged operation, while he stated that the manner the interdiction was carried out should send a strong signal to other cartels that there’s no hiding place for them in any part of the country,” the statement reads.

NDLEA wanted drug baron arrested in Imo hometown

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FG partners Femadec Energy to establish CNG centres in varsities

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FG partners Femadec Energy to establish CNG centres in varsities

The Federal Government has announced plans to establish Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) conversion centres and refuelling stations in 20 federal tertiary institutions across Nigeria.

The initiative, led by the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund (MDGIF) in collaboration with Femadec Energy, aims to promote clean energy adoption and reduce transportation costs for students and lecturers.

The announcement was conveyed in a statement posted on the official X (formerly Twitter) account of the Presidency of Nigeria on Monday.

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In alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to affordable, clean, and sustainable energy, the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund (MDGIF), in collaboration with Femadec Energy, is set to establish Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) conversion centres and refuelling stations across 20 federal tertiary institutions nationwide,” the statement read in part.

The statement further noted that the Minister of Education, Dr. Morufu Olatunji Alausa, recently met with Vice-Chancellors and representatives from MDGIF, Femadec Energy, and the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI) to finalise project details and ensure timely execution.

Six of the institutions are expected to have fully operational CNG facilities by May 29, 2025.

Dr. Alausa emphasized the project’s importance, noting that it would help lower transportation costs for students and lecturers while advancing clean energy integration within educational institutions.

“This initiative not only aims to reduce transportation costs for our students and lecturers but also represents a pivotal step towards integrating clean energy solutions within our educational institutions,” he said

A representative from Femadec Energy also reinforced the project’s commitment to sustainability, stating that the partnership with MDGIF and federal institutions reflects a dedication to promoting sustainable energy.

FG partners Femadec Energy to establish CNG centres in varsities

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SGF delays appointment letters of River Basin new executives

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Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume

SGF delays appointment letters of River Basin new executives

Despite approval by President Bola Tinubu in December last year, the newly selected executives have not assumed office as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) has not given the appointees official letters.

This is said to be due to a directive from the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev.

In a letter dated January 14, 2024, Utsev instructed the caretaker managing directors of the 12 River Basins to retain their positions until the SGF issues formal appointment letters.

The delay, now stretching beyond three months, has left the appointees in a limbo.

Many are questioning why the SGF, Senator George Akume, has not followed through with the President’s directive.

Addressing the issue in Abuja on Monday, Akume said the delay was to allow for an internal review of the appointments.

The Director of Information in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), Segun Imohiosen, who spoke on behalf of Akume, reassured that the process was underway.

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“I am aware of the development, and I can assure you that an internal review concerning the appointments is being carried out. As soon as it is concluded, we will make it public,” he said, without specifying a timeline.

As a result, caretaker officials continue to oversee the 12 River Basin Development Authorities, prolonging concerns over inefficiencies within the system.

One of the appointees said, “The entire thing is confusing. We have a mandate to contribute to the actualisation of the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President in the agricultural sector. But here we are waiting endlessly to hit the ground running.”

Complaints from certain states regarding the appointees may have contributed to the delay, prompting a review by the SGF office.

Among the affected River Basin Authorities is the Hadejia Jama’are River Basin Development Authority, covering Kano, Jigawa, and Bauchi.

Six officials were appointed, including Mamman Aliyu (Chairman, Jigawa), Rabiu Bichi (Managing Director, Kano), Tijjani Isa (Executive Director, Planning and Design, Jigawa), Zainab Gamawa (Executive Director, Agric Services, Bauchi), Baffa Abdulkadir (Executive Director, Engineering, Kano), and Musa Kwankwaso (Executive Director, Finance, Kano).

Similarly, the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority has six new appointees, while the Upper Benue, Chad Basin, Benin-Owena, Niger Delta, Upper Niger, Lower Niger, Lower Benue, Anambra-Imo, Cross River, and Sokoto Rima River Basin Authorities each have six designated executives awaiting confirmation.

SGF delays appointment letters of River Basin new executives

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Man accused of strangulating girlfriend to death in A-Ibom

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Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom Command, CP Baba Mohammed Azare

Man accused of strangulating girlfriend to death in A-Ibom

OPERATIVES of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command have arrested one Ndifreke Nelson for allegedly strangling her girlfriend, identified as Emem Effanga, to death in her apartment over phone.

The Police Public Relations officer, Timfon John, in a statement, yesterday, said the suspect was arrested in a church in Uyo, where he attempted to escape to upon sighting police operatives.

Her words: “Operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command have arrested one Ndifreke Nelson for alleged murder of his girlfriend, Emem Effanga (39) and stealing her mobile phone after committing the crime.
“Sometime in February 2025, the command received a report that the deceased was found dead in her apartment under suspicious circumstances.

“Upon arrival at the scene, operatives observed visible marks of violence on her face and neck, suggesting she had been strangled and beaten to death.

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“The scene was processed, evidence documented and the body was evacuated to the hospital, where she was confirmed clinically dead by medical personnel. The corpse was, thereafter, deposited at the mortuary for preservation and autopsy.

“Following swift investigations, detectives traced the last person seen with the deceased to be Ndifreke Nelson, who had visited her residence on February 6, 2025, the morning of his birthday.”

The PPRO added that during interrogation, the suspect confessed to visiting the victim that morning and demanding to use her phone to take pictures for his birthday celebration on social media, and when she refused, a struggle ensued, during which he overpowered her, strangled her and struck her head on the floor with his fist, leaving her unconscious before fleeing with her phone.

“One Itel Super Phone, belonging to the deceased, was recovered from him at the time of arrest. A post-mortem examination has been conducted, and the cause of death has been officially documented by a pathologist. The suspect will be charged to court.”

“The Commissioner of Police, Baba Azare, has assured that justice will be served and warned against all forms of domestic violence and criminal acts. He urges the public to remain security conscious and report suspicious activities to the Police,” John further stated.

Man accused of strangulating girlfriend to death in A-Ibom

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