NDLEA nabs Vietnam-bound businessman with cocaine at Abuja airport
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have nabbed a 40-year-old businessman, Ejike Chibuke Solomon with 1.45 kilograms of cocaine.
Solomon was arrested on Saturday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja while attempting to board an Ethiopia Airlines Flight 950 to Vietnam through Addis Ababa.
A statement on Sunday by the spokesman of the NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, said Solomon concealed the narcotics in his luggage.
Babafemi said the drug consignment was discovered following a thorough search on the suspect and his luggage by NDLEA officers.
The statement added that the suspect claimed to be on a business trip to Vietnam.
In a related development, Babafemi also said operatives of a special unit of the Agency on Friday, March 1, swooped on members of a syndicate that deals in methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin in their hideouts in parts of Lagos.
He said the operatives raided the home of one Esimone Amachukwu Christopher at 14 Arochukwu street, Ejigbo, where 10.012 kilograms of methamphetamine was found in possession of his associate, 40-year-old Evelyn Nneka Okem. Esimone is said to be currently at large.
The NDLEA spokesman said while the Ejigbo operation was going on, another set of officers were simultaneously busy in the residence of another member of the syndicate, 45-year-old Ebele Edwin Iwuegbunam, located at Plot 1604 Close D, 4th Avenue, Festac town, Lagos where they arrested him and recovered 429.5grams of cocaine and 7 kilograms of heroin.
The statement continued, “In Kogi state, NDLEA officers on a stop and search operation along Okene-Lokoja-Abuja expressway on Friday 1st March intercepted a commercial bus marked GRM 347XA (Borno) conveying 28 compressed blocks of cannabis sativa weighing 11kg; 100 bottles of codeine-based cough syrup and 500 tablets of diazepam, all concealed in three plastic drums covered with cattle fats, heading to Jos Plateau state.
“While operatives in Ogun state on Thursday 29th February recovered 169kg consignment of cannabis abandoned in a truck at Sagamu tollgate, their counterparts in Lagos seized 25 cartons of tramadol containing 325,000 pills in Ikeja the previous day Wednesday 28th Feb. Same day, a suspect, Abdullahi Garba Khalil, 42, and 2,745,000 capsules of pregabalin recovered from him at Singer market, Sabon Gari area of Kano were handed over to the Kano state command of NDLEA by the Department of State Security, DSS.
“In the same vein, the 243 Recce Battalion, Nigerian Army, Badagry on Saturday 2nd March transferred 27 sacks of cannabis sativa weighing 1,110kg recovered at a coastal community, Ajido by soldiers, to the Seme Special Area Command of NDLEA. A suspect, Hassan Muhammad, 34, was on Saturday 2nd March arrested with 44,950 pills of tramadol at Moranti area of Borno state by NDLEA operatives.
“In Abia state, NDLEA operatives on Thursday 28th Feb raided a drug joint at Cemetery Barracks, Aba, where Ifeanyi Uche, 37, was arrested with different quantities of cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine. Another raid was carried out at the abandoned Eyimba Hotel, Ogbor Hill, Aba, where illicit substances were seized and suspects arrested on Friday 1st March.
“With the same zeal, the various commands of the Agency across the country continued with the War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, advocacy campaign in the past week. Some of them include: WADA sensitisation lecture for students and teachers of Fobin Primary and Secondary School, Idiroko, Seme, Lagos; Army Barracks Grammar School, Mokola, Ibadan, Oyo state; State Model Secondary School, Awka, Anambra state; Government Girls Secondary School, Okumgba-Ama, Ogoloma, Okrika, Rivers state and leaders and residents of Lapan community, Gombe state, among others.
“While commending the officers and men of the NAIA, Abia, Ogun, Kogi, Lagos, Seme, Borno and Kano Commands of the Agency as well as those of the Special Unit for their outstanding feats in the past week, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) equally applauded them and their counterparts in all the commands across the country for intensifying their WADA advocacy lectures.”
NDLEA nabs Vietnam-bound businessman with cocaine at Abuja airport
Gwamnishu Confirms Arrest of Man Who Assaulted 18-Year-Old Wife
Human rights activist Harrison Gwamnishu has confirmed that the man accused of assaulting an 18-year-old lady in a viral abuse video is currently in police custody. He also disclosed that she was taken away as a child and that her father was oblivious of any supposed marriage.
Human rights activist Harrison Gwamnishu has confirmed that the man accused of assaulting an 18-year-old lady in a viral abuse video is now in police custody. He also disclosed that she was taken away as a child and that her father was unaware of any alleged marriage involving her. Gwamnishu confirmed the development in an update uploaded on Instagram on Tuesday, noting that preliminary results also suggested that the lady identified as ‘Chisom’ was 15 years old when her relationship with the suspect reportedly began. The update follows a horrific video that surfaced on Monday showing a clearly damaged young woman, thought to be an 18-year-old wife. The video showed the woman with apparent facial injuries as her husband exchanged words with neighbors who confronted him about the alleged violence.
A separate video emerged later, showing the woman with Gwamnishu in what looked to be a hospital. In the video, the activist discussed intentions to arrest the man, but the young woman pleaded against it. Providing an update, Gwamnishu said, “Preliminary findings indicate that Chisom was only 15 years old when the relationship between her and the man reportedly began”. He noted that he initially considered backing down after Chisom pleaded with him not to pursue the suspect’s arrest. “Yesterday, while she pleaded with us not to arrest the man claiming to be her husband, I almost backed down. However, something in me said, ‘Harrison, involve your Lagos team,'” he wrote. According to him, members of the Behind Bars Human Rights Foundation’s Lagos chapter intervened, and the suspect was turned over to the Isheri Oshun Divisional Police Headquarters.
“The suspect was handed over to Isheri Oshun Divisional Police Headquarters; his statement was obtained; he was detained; and officers also visited Chisom at the hospital,” Gwamnishu said. The activist also stated that he received a call from a relative of Chisom’s father, who claimed the young woman and her siblings were taken away after her mother died when she was seven years old. “Earlier today, I received a call from a relative of Chisom’s father, who narrated that Chisom was taken away after her mother died. She was just seven years old when members of her late mother’s family took her and her three siblings away,” he said. According to Gwamnishu, the relative informed him that Chisom’s father grew despondent after losing his wife and having his children taken away from him and that family members had not seen Chisom or two of her siblings until the viral video surfaced online.
“They also stated that he was never aware of any marriage involving Chisom and the man now claiming to be her husband,” Gwamnishu added. He noted that the organization would continue to support the young woman as investigations progress. “Why we cannot abandon 18-year-old Chisom. Her case is unusual, and she is deeply traumatized. Despite everything she has been through, she still needs support, protection, and understanding,” he wrote. Gwamnishu also stated that his Lagos State Director, Nta Amarachi Judith, was actively following up on the matter while the organization awaited the outcome of the police investigation.
Further findings by the activist revealed that there was never any legal or traditional marriage between Chisom and the suspect. Gwamnishu explained that the suspect, who had lived abroad, returned to Nigeria and began a relationship with Chisom when she was just 15 years old. According to him, the man went to Anambra State, paid money to someone as dowry, and claimed Chisom as his wife, an arrangement not recognised under any legal or traditional system. “There was never a marriage. The marriage they had was fake. So they are not husband and wife officially, legally, traditionally, anything you feel like calling it. Somebody in Anambra State took bride price and gave out this young girl to this guy”. Gwamnishu further explained that Chisom is calmer now compared to the previous day and emphasised that she needs counselling and therapy. He thanked the Lagos State Commissioner for Women Affairs and others who stepped in to rescue her, saying she is a victim who requires full support. The activist also noted that the suspect’s sisters were pleading with authorities not to allow her return to him, a sign that she remains at risk. Chisom has now been taken into the care of the Lagos State Ministry for Women Affairs, which will handle her welfare and accommodation.
Gwamnishu Confirms Arrest of Man Who Assaulted 18-Year-Old Wife
VeryDarkMan in Trouble as Court Orders DSS to Investigate Leaked Coup Trial Evidence
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday ordered the Department of State Services to investigate allegations that evidence tendered in the trial of six men accused of plotting to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s administration was displayed on social media by controversial activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan.
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday ordered the Department of State Services (DSS) to investigate allegation by the prosecution that part of the evidence it tendered in court and served on lawyers to the six men being prosecuted for allegedly attempting to execute a coup plot against President Bola Tinubu were displayed on social media by controversial activist, VeryDarkMan. Justice Joyce Abdulmalik also ordered that if there was any evidence on social media, which contravened the court’s earlier order for witnesses’ protection, the DSS should investigate and bring the perpetrator to book. The judge said the investigation should be conducted while the trial is ongoing since all the defendants, through their lawyers, denied being involved.
Counsel to the prosecution, Rotimi Oyedepo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, had mid-way into proceedings told the court that he got information that some videos tendered in the case were posted on social media by a citizen called VeryDarkMan. He informed the court that the same individual was among the audience. Oyedepo told the court that he watched the video on VeryDarkMan’s social media page and described the development as a national security concern. He noted that the post had garnered more than 6,000 online views and argued that the leak was extremely prejudicial to the proceedings. He further informed the court that VeryDarkMan was present in the courtroom and could potentially explain how he obtained the video.
When asked by the judge to respond, all the six defence lawyers took turns to deny any knowledge of how the video appeared on social media. Counsel to the first defendant, Mohammed Ndayako, a SAN, expressed support for an investigation, stating that his worry was that this was coming at the stage when they were trying to move their bail application, and he was not opposed to an investigation. While some defence lawyers suggested that members of the media covering the trial should also be investigated, counsel to the sixth defendant, Sanusi Musa, a SAN, outrightly opposed the proposal for a probe. He argued that he was surprised that the DPP said the court should investigate the matter and questioned who the suspects were, suggesting that the video might have been leaked from the court, by the DPP, or from the Ministry of Justice. He insisted that whatever the DPP said could not be acted upon without evidence and that if the prosecution wanted an investigation, they should file a formal application.
Ruling on the issue, Justice Abdulmalik cited provisions of Section 232(5) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, relating to the protection of vulnerable witnesses and compliance with court orders. The judge subsequently directed the Department of State Services to investigate any evidence on social media that may have breached the court’s earlier orders. She ordered the DSS to identify and bring any culprit before the court, adding that any resulting prosecution would be treated as a separate matter from the ongoing trial.
Earlier, the prosecution urged the court to admit in evidence the statements made to investigators by the defendants. The fourth prosecution witness in the trial-within-trial being conducted to ascertain the voluntariness or otherwise of the statements, made the request while telling the court that the statements were voluntarily made by the defendants, who he said, were not subjected to any form of torture or harassment. The witness, identified as “DDD” and an officer of the Nigerian Army who participated in the investigation, was led in evidence by Oyedepo during which he denied all the allegations by the defendants, including that they were tortured to make the statements in which five of them, except the first, admitted knowing about the plot. On whether the claim by the defendants that their feet were chained, the witness said it was not true and that the defendants walked into the interview room by themselves. He argued that if it was true that they were chained, the sound of the chain would have been heard in the video that was played in court earlier on Tuesday. On why their lawyers were not present while they were being interviewed, the witness said none of them requested to have either their lawyers, family members, officials of the Legal Aid Council or a Justice of the Peace present. He disclosed that the investigation was conducted by a multi-agency team comprising the Nigerian Army, the DSS, the Defence Intelligence Agency, the EFCC, and other security agencies. Under cross-examination by lawyers to the defendants, the witness restated that the defendants did not make their statements in the presence of either their lawyers, family members, officials of the Legal Aid Council or a JP. He however insisted that they were neither tortured nor compelled to make the statements. At the conclusion of the cross-examination, Oyedepo announced the closure of the prosecution’s case in the trial-within-trial, having called four witnesses.
The judge proceeded to hear the bail applications filed by the defendants. While the defence lawyers urged the court to grant bail to their clients on liberal terms, the prosecution urged the court to dismiss the applications. Justice Abdulmalik then adjourned the matter until June 25 and June 30 for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd defendants to conduct their defence in the trial-within-trial, following which the 4th, 5th and 6th defendants would conduct theirs on July 1 and July 2. The judge also fixed ruling on the bail application for July 20.
The six men are being prosecuted over their alleged involvement in the alleged coup plot to topple President Bola Tinubu-led government. The defendants include a retired major general, Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, and a retired navy captain, Erasmus Ochegobia Victor. The rest are Ahmed Ibrahim, a police inspector; Zekeri Umoru, an electrician at the Presidential Villa; Bukar Kashim Goni; and Abdulkadir Sani, a Zaria-based Islamic cleric. They face 13 counts of treason, terrorism, failure to disclose information, and money laundering over the alleged failed coup. Information about the alleged secret plot was leaked to authorities last September, leading to the arrest of serving and retired military officers alongside their alleged civilian conspirators.
VeryDarkMan in Trouble as Court Orders DSS to Investigate Leaked Coup Trial Evidence
Makinde Imposes 16-Hour Curfew in 10 Oyo LGAs as Security Operations Intensify
The Oyo State Government has announced a 16-hour curfew across 10 local government areas bordering the Old Oyo National Park, citing heightened security concerns and ongoing operations aimed at protecting lives and property.
Governor Seyi Makinde approved the restriction, which takes effect from Wednesday, June 24, 2026, and will run daily from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. for an initial period of 48 hours.
The directive was contained in a statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Musibau Babatunde, who explained that the temporary measure is designed to support security agencies in tackling criminal activities and restoring peace in communities surrounding the national park.
According to the government, the affected local government areas are Oriire, Orelope, Irepo, Saki West, Saki East, Atisbo, Itesiwaju, Iseyin, Olorunsogo and Atiba.
The administration said the decision followed an assessment of the security situation in the region, particularly around the Old Oyo National Park, which has increasingly become a hotspot for criminal activities due to its vast forest terrain.
The curfew is expected to provide security operatives with unrestricted access to carry out surveillance, intelligence gathering and coordinated operations aimed at flushing out criminal elements operating within the area.
The latest development comes amid heightened concerns over insecurity in Oyo State following the abduction of teachers and pupils from a public school in Oriire Local Government Area. Governor Makinde had earlier disclosed that intelligence reports indicated the victims were believed to be held within the expansive national park, prompting intensified rescue efforts by security agencies.
Officials say the restriction on movement is a preventive measure intended to enhance public safety while ongoing operations continue across the affected communities.
Residents have been urged to strictly comply with the curfew and cooperate with security personnel deployed to enforce the order. The government also appealed for calm, assuring citizens that every effort is being made to protect lives and property.
“The curfew takes effect from Wednesday, June 24, 2026, and will run between 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. for 48 hours in the first instance,” the government stated, adding that the security situation will be reviewed before any decision is taken on extending or lifting the restriction.
The curfew is part of a broader security strategy introduced by the Makinde administration, which recently announced additional measures, including restrictions on overnight commercial motorcycle operations in parts of the state, to curb criminal activities and improve public safety.
Security agencies have been directed to ensure full enforcement of the order while allowing essential and emergency services to operate where necessary.
As residents adjust to the temporary restrictions, authorities have encouraged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements or activities to the appropriate security agencies.
Makinde Imposes 16-Hour Curfew in 10 Oyo LGAs as Security Operations Intensify
