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NDLEA Smashes Drug Networks, Arrests Nonagenarian, Doctor in Nationwide Raids

Published

5 months ago

April 12, 2026

NDLEA Smashes Drug Networks, Arrests Nonagenarian, Doctor in Nationwide Raids

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 93-year-old man, a 69-year-old medical doctor, and several other suspects in a series of coordinated nationwide operations targeting drug trafficking networks across Nigeria.

The agency said the arrests were made during intelligence-led operations aimed at dismantling both local and international narcotics syndicates involved in the movement and distribution of cocaine, cannabis, and controlled pharmaceutical substances through land, air, and road routes.

In Abia State, NDLEA operatives arrested a 93-year-old suspect, identified as Pa Friday Chigbu, at his residence in Osisioma Local Government Area on April 7, 2026. A search of the premises reportedly led to the recovery of 7.7 kilograms of skunk, a strong strain of cannabis. The agency said the suspect allegedly admitted involvement in the illicit drug trade, claiming he had transitioned into drug dealing after years of menial work.

In another major breakthrough, NDLEA uncovered an international cocaine trafficking network involving an Ivorian national, Gohouri Michael, who was arrested at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport with 1.49 kilograms of cocaine. Investigators said he had moved through Lagos and Enugu before arriving in Kano, where he was preparing to travel to Milan, Italy, for drug delivery in exchange for payment.

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Further investigations led to the arrest of a 69-year-old medical doctor, identified as Dr. C. Ofomata, in Ogun State, who is alleged to have played a coordinating role in the trafficking operation. NDLEA said the suspect was later transferred for further interrogation and was found with controlled pharmaceutical substances at the point of arrest.

In Lagos, operatives intercepted a luxury bus along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway carrying 15 kilograms of Canadian Loud cannabis, concealed in compartments of the vehicle. Two suspects were arrested in connection with the seizure.

In a separate operation in Mushin, NDLEA officers intercepted a truck bound for Onitsha, Anambra State, and discovered 26,800 bottles of codeine-based syrup, leading to additional arrests.

The agency said these operations form part of its ongoing nationwide effort to combat drug trafficking, cannabis distribution, cocaine smuggling, and codeine abuse networks across Nigeria.

NDLEA reiterated its commitment to targeting offenders regardless of age, profession, or social status, stressing that both street-level dealers and high-level collaborators in drug cartels will be prosecuted under Nigeria’s anti-narcotics laws.

Officials added that intelligence-led enforcement remains central to disrupting trafficking routes and reducing the spread of illicit drugs across communities nationwide.

NDLEA Smashes Drug Networks, Arrests Nonagenarian, Doctor in Nationwide Raids

Related Topics:Doctor Drug Networks NDLEA Nonagenarian

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Borgu attacks: NSCIA demands urgent rescue of abducted Muslim worshippers

Published

3 hours ago

August 26, 2026

Trends Admin

Borgu attacks: NSCIA demands urgent rescue of abducted Muslim worshippers

The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has condemned the deadly terrorist attacks in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, demanding the immediate rescue of residents still held captive and stronger security measures to prevent further attacks.

The council described the reported killing and abduction of civilians, including Muslim worshippers, as barbaric and unacceptable, urging the Federal Government to treat the situation as a national security emergency.

The attacks reportedly occurred on August 21, 2026, across Gbeji (Gidan-Zana), Kpenya, Giyan Gbasu and Dekara communities in Borgu Local Government Area.

In a statement signed by its Public Affairs Officer, Abbas Jimoh, the NSCIA said about 30 people were reportedly killed, while several others were injured and dozens abducted.

The council said the attack on Dekara was particularly disturbing because armed attackers reportedly entered the Central Mosque during Jumu’at prayers and abducted more than 60 worshippers.

However, casualty and abduction figures have varied in reports, with authorities continuing to establish the full extent of the attacks. The Niger State Police Command initially said it could not confirm the number of people abducted, while a joint security operation was deployed to the affected communities.

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The NSCIA, under the leadership of its President-General and Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, said the incident represented an attack not only on innocent Nigerians but also on the sanctity of worship and the right of citizens to practise their religion without fear.

The council also cautioned against presenting Nigeria’s security crisis as an attack on one particular religious community, noting that armed groups have continued to target Nigerians across different faiths and communities.

The latest violence has heightened concerns about the security situation around Kainji Lake National Park and surrounding forest corridors, which have repeatedly been linked to armed groups and kidnapping activities.

The Niger State Government said security agencies had been mobilised following the attacks to assess the situation, pursue the perpetrators and facilitate the rescue of abducted residents.

Governor Umaru Bago also urged residents and members of the public to avoid spreading unverified information that could undermine security operations or create further panic.

The attacks have also raised concerns because they occurred shortly after a major security operation in the same general area.

On August 5, security forces reportedly rescued 308 abducted people from the Kainji Lake National Park forest. The victims included 163 people abducted from Woro in Kwara State and 145 from communities in Borgu, Niger State.

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The NSCIA commended the security forces for the rescue operation but said the latest attacks raised questions about the sustainability of the security gains and the ability of armed groups to return to vulnerable communities.

The council consequently called on the Federal Government to urgently review security arrangements across Niger and Kwara states and adjoining border communities, particularly around Kainji Lake National Park and other forest corridors.

It demanded the immediate deployment of adequate resources to locate and rescue all remaining captives, stressing that their safe return must be treated as a national priority.

The NSCIA also called for increased aerial surveillance, intelligence gathering, early-warning systems and coordinated ground operations to prevent armed groups from exploiting remote terrain.

It urged authorities to provide security personnel deployed to vulnerable areas with adequate equipment, logistics and operational support.

The council further called for stronger cooperation among state governments, traditional rulers, religious leaders, local communities and security agencies, including the proper regulation and integration of lawful community vigilante groups into broader community-protection efforts.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has also directed security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue victims of the mass abduction in Niger State.

The NSCIA urged the President, the National Security Council, the Ministries of Defence and Interior and other relevant agencies to treat the Borgu attacks with urgency and ensure that those responsible are identified and prosecuted.

The council also called for longer-term measures to prevent armed groups from using forests and remote communities as bases for kidnapping and attacks.

The NSCIA condoled with families who lost loved ones, prayed for the recovery of those injured and urged relatives of the abducted victims to remain hopeful while rescue efforts continue.

It also appealed to Muslims in Niger State and across Nigeria to remain steadfast while encouraging all Nigerians to support efforts aimed at restoring peace and protecting vulnerable communities.

The Borgu attacks have further highlighted the security challenges confronting rural communities in north-central Nigeria, where residents continue to face threats from kidnapping, armed attacks and displacement.

The NSCIA maintained that Nigerians have a right to security, justice and freedom of worship, urging authorities to combine immediate rescue operations with sustained measures to prevent similar attacks.

Borgu attacks: NSCIA demands urgent rescue of abducted Muslim worshippers

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One killed, three injured as gunman opens fire at Kano wedding

Published

4 hours ago

August 26, 2026

Trends Admin

Kano State Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Adamu Bakori

One killed, three injured as gunman opens fire at Kano wedding

A wedding ceremony in Kano has ended in tragedy after a 34-year-old man allegedly opened fire on guests, killing one person and injuring three others following a dispute reportedly linked to music at the event.

The incident occurred on August 16, 2026, at Tudun Yola Quarters in Kano during a marriage celebration popularly known as a “DJ” event, according to the Kano State Police Command.

The police identified the suspect as Rabiu Mukhtar, who allegedly used a pump-action firearm to shoot four people attending the ceremony. The weapon was subsequently recovered by police officers.

Kano State Police spokesperson, CSP Abdullahi Haruna-Kiyawa, confirmed the arrest of Mukhtar and another person in connection with the incident. Both suspects are being held at the Kano State Police Command headquarters in Bompai while investigators continue to establish what led to the shooting.

The victims were identified as Sadiq Abubakar, Umar Rabiu, Muhammad Sadisu and Aliyu Mustapha. They were taken to Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, Kano, for emergency medical treatment.

However, Mustapha later died from injuries sustained during the shooting. The other three victims were reported to be receiving treatment and responding to medical care.

According to the police, preliminary findings indicated that the incident followed a dispute over music being played at the wedding.

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The police said Mukhtar reportedly complained that the organisers had not informed him about the event and that the noise from the music had disturbed his sleep.

The suspect, however, reportedly gave investigators another explanation, claiming that he opened fire after being informed that suspected members of the ‘Yan Daba group were approaching the venue.

Police have not independently established that claim, and investigators are continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The shooting reportedly caused panic among wedding guests and residents in the area, with people scrambling for safety after the gunfire began.

Police officers responded to the incident after receiving information about the shooting and arrested the suspects. The recovery of the firearm is expected to form part of the evidence being examined as investigators reconstruct what happened.

The two suspects remain in police custody as the investigation continues. Authorities are expected to determine their respective roles and establish whether additional people were involved.

The Kano State Police Command said anyone found to have committed an offence would be prosecuted after the investigation is concluded.

The incident has also raised concerns about how disputes over music, noise and social gatherings can escalate into serious violence, particularly when firearms are involved.

What was intended to be a wedding celebration was instead disrupted by gunfire, leaving one person dead and three others injured.

The police have not announced the final charges against the suspects, as investigations into the Kano wedding shooting remain ongoing.

One killed, three injured as gunman opens fire at Kano wedding

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Tragedy in Kano: Thugs Kill Resident Returning from Maulud Gathering

Published

4 hours ago

August 26, 2026

Trends Admin

Kano State Police Command, SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa

Tragedy in Kano: Thugs Kill Resident Returning from Maulud Gathering

Yusuf Ahmad stabbed to death in Dorayi Quarters as police arrest suspects and community appeals for calm.

Suspected thugs have killed a young man identified as Yusuf Ahmad in Dorayi Quarters of Gwale Local Government Area of Kano State, in an incident that has once again highlighted the growing concern over gang violence in the ancient city. The tragic incident occurred following a clash that reportedly started after a young man from a neighbouring community sustained injuries. The development allegedly angered his friends, who were said to have mobilised to seek revenge, leading to the fatal encounter.

An eyewitness, Salihu Shamsu Saleh, told Daily Trust that the deceased was on his way home after attending a Maulud gathering when some thugs accosted and attacked him with weapons. He said the attackers inflicted deep cuts on the victim’s chest and neck, which led to his death. The fatal assault has sent shockwaves through the Dorayi community, with residents calling for restraint and an end to the cycle of revenge attacks that continue to claim lives.

The spokesman for the Kano State Police Command, SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, confirmed that security personnel were deployed to the area after receiving a distress call. He stated that some suspects had already been arrested in connection with the incident, while investigation was ongoing to identify and apprehend others involved. The police have been conducting clearance operations across the state, recently arresting 345 suspected thugs and recovering 270 dangerous weapons, including knives, cutlasses, and clubs.

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Residents of the area have appealed to youths to desist from taking the law into their own hands, warning that gang violence continues to put lives at risk. The killing adds to growing concerns over the activities of thugs in Kano State, which has witnessed several violent incidents in recent months. Civil society groups have warned that violence linked to Yan Daba groups is threatening democratic stability ahead of the 2027 general elections, listing deadly attacks between January and May 2026, including the killing of 10 people during clashes. According to civil society organisations, Kano has recorded repeated violent incidents in Dorayi, Koki, Abattoir Market, and Rimin Kebe, with many killings remaining unreported and under-documented. The Kano Civil Society Alliance for Peaceful Politics has called on the state government to immediately suspend all political rallies until a comprehensive security framework is put in place.

Amnesty International has launched a public inquiry into the growing wave of gang violence and political thuggery in Kano State. The human rights organisation warned that armed thugs working for some politicians were increasingly posing a threat to the right to life, behaving “as if they have carte blanche to kill and destroy.” The group urged Nigerian authorities, politicians, and political parties to uphold the rule of law and guarantee the protection of lives and property.

The Kano State Government has initiated a “Safe Corridor Kano Model” programme to rehabilitate and reintegrate repentant youths involved in thuggery, with over 2,000 volunteer youths profiled and more than N600 million approved for the first phase of rehabilitation and empowerment. However, civil society groups noted that despite a 2025 government amnesty programme that rehabilitated over 1,300 repentant thugs, the menace has persisted. The Chairman of the Kano State Taskforce Committee on the Control of Drug Abuse and Illicit Substances, Barrister Muhuyi Magaji Rimin Gado, has identified drug abuse as a major factor contributing to crime and gang violence in the state. He noted that the “Daba issue” is a by-product of drug abuse, with violent clashes and reprisal attacks often influenced by drugs.

The killing of Yusuf Ahmad has deepened the grief of a community still reeling from the effects of recurring violence. Residents have called on the authorities to ensure that justice is served and that those responsible for the killing are brought to book. As investigations continue, the incident serves as a sobering reminder of the urgent need for decisive action to curb the activities of thugs and restore safety in communities across Kano State.