CRIME
Nigerian Navy Hands Over 2,640kg of Cannabis Worth N200m to NDLEA
The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT on Wednesday handed over 2,640kg of substance, suspected to be cannabis sativa worth N200 million, to the Nigerian Drug Law Agency (NDLEA) in Lagos.
The Commander, NNS BEECROFT, Commodore Kolawole Oguntuga, handed over the exhibits to NDLEA officials at NNS BEECROFT, Apapa, Lagos.
Oguntuga said that the exhibits contained in 66 bags, which weighed 40kg each, were confiscated around Iworo, Ibeshe and Badagry area of Lagos State.
“It is expected that the NDLEA will continue with the investigation and go ahead to take the necessary actions needed to handle this kind of substance,” he said.
The commander said the achievement was made possible by the Nigerian Navy state-of-the-art technology; the Falcon Eye Alignment which was a sophisticated maritime domain awareness facility.
“This facility has a 24 hours surveillance of Nigeria’s maritime environment in order to detect any kind of illegality within the maritime environment.
“The alignment detected some boats operating within the maritime environment around Iworo, Ibeshe and Badagry general area of Lagos State.
“However, by the time our men arrived, the perpetrators had absconded but we were able to apprehend the substances that will have been smuggled into the state,” he said.
Oguntuga said that the Nigerian Navy, under the leadership of Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla, remained resolute toward ensuring perpetrators of nefarious activities were not seen within the maritime environment.
“We understand the relationship between crime, violence and taking drugs, that is why the Nigerian Navy will continue to thwart and prevent such acts from materialising.
“I assure Nigerians that the Nigerian Navy in collaboration with the appropriate security agencies will leave no stone unturn, to ensure a safe and secure environment.
“The maritime environment will continue to remain safe for individuals who are carrying about their legitimate duties for the economic prosperity of our nation,” he said.
Oguntuga advised criminals to desist from such acts, stating that the Nigerian Navy and other security agencies would continue to go after them to end such illegalities.
He added that navy patrol teams were always on standby to respond to intelligence received from the Falcon Eye Alignment.
“And anytime suspected vessels are identified within the maritime environment, vessels and boats will be vectored to such area to intercept and prevent them before they get into the state,” Oguntuga said.
Paul Ahom, the Commander of Narcotics, NDLEA, Western Marine Command, Lagos, applauded NNS BEECROFT in the fight against marine crime and other illegalities within the marine environmental.
Ahom said that NNS BEECROFT had been doing a great job in combating crime and drug trafficking around the western command.
“Nigerian water is a destination for drug trafficking and the NDLEA alone cannot do it. It has to be done successfully with the collaboration and synergy of the Nigerian Navy.
“In recent times, the NNS BEECROFT has complemented the efforts of the NDLEA by intercepting and transferring a high preponderance of drug exhibits to the NDLEA.
“This has gone a long way in curbing the menace of drug trade that has come to ravage our country and put the name of our country into disrepute,” he said.
Ahom said that interagency collaboration with other sister agencies, particularly the Nigerian Navy had helped the NDLEA in sustaining the fight against drug trafficking within the maritime domain.
“It is very difficult to exterminate drug trafficking world-wide, however, we are providing a palliative measure and try to reduce it to the barest minimum.
“We have an existing strategy known as War Against Drug Abuse (WADA); the essence of this is to propagate the message to rural areas, communities, churches and unions.
“The message is based on awareness campaign to sensitise people to the dangers inherent in drug abuse,” the marine commander said. (NAN)
The Nigerian Police Command in Borno has apprehended two suspects and recovered 25 stolen mobile phones during a stop-and-search operation along Damboa Road, in Maiduguri.
The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Nahum Daso, disclosed this in a statement in Maiduguri on Wednesday.
Daso explained that the suspects, identified as Ibrahim Abubako, and Ibrahim Mohammed, were intercepted by the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) on Dec.
10 while riding a tricycle.He said that during the search, the operatives uncovered various mobile phones reportedly stolen from individuals across communities and villages along the Borno -Adamawa State border.
He identified some of the communities as Mubi, Tashan Alade, Miringa, Kwaya Kusar, and Biu Local Government Area of the state.
The spokesman said that during interrogation, the suspects confessed to snatching the phones from their victims.
“The police have initiated efforts to return the recovered devices with their rightful owner.
“Also, the suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations,” he said.
Daso reiterated the commitment of the Police Commissioner in the state, Yusufu Lawal, to maintain public safety during the Yuletide season. (NAN)
From Dan Amasingha, Minna
Days after the Chairman of Katcha local government area of Niger State, Danlami Abdullahi Saku was assaulted and seriously injured over his inability to settle a campaign loan he obtained, the State Police Command said three suspects were now in their custody over the incident.
Niger State Police Command Spokesman, Wasiu Abiodun in a release on Wednesday said On 16/06/2024 at about 1800hrs, information was received at Katcha Div that the Chairman Katcha LGA Hon.
Danlami Abdullahi Saku was attacked by some miscreants along Saku-Gadza village after the Sallah prayer at his village Saku, Katcha LGA.According to the Police Public Relations Officer, the attack was allegedly reported to be linked to a debt issue between the Chairman and one Yanda of the same area.
He noted that the Chairman sustained serious injury during the attack and he was taken to Gen. Hospital Bida, and later referred to another hospital for further treatment.
A preliminary investigation was conducted at Katcha Div and three suspects were later identified, apprehended and transferred to Bida Area Command.
The suspects arrested are; Alh. Abdullahi Kasimu 68yrs of Gadza village, Katcha, Alh. Baba Moh’d 30yrs of the same village and Ahmadu Moh’d 25yrs.
The suspects were transferred to SCID on June 21st for discreet investigation and prosecution.
“During interrogation, Kasimu narrated that he lent the victim over a million naira since August, 2023 and that several attempts to recover the money proved abortive.
“He further said that on June 16th, the victim promised to come and see him, and while he was on the way after the Sallah prayer, his son Ahmadu Moh’d, his in-law Alh. Baba Moh’d among others accosted the Chairman, had an altercation and inflicted serious injuries on the victims”
The State Police Command acknowledged that the victim was about to transfer the money to him at the point before being rushed to the hospital.
However, the suspects are under investigation in SCID, Minna. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend others at large, and they will be charged to court for prosecution immediately after investigations.
There was a drama as the sacrificial ram of the Chief Imam of the Mista Ali community in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, Imam Abdulkadir went missing on the eve of the Ed-el-Kabir.
Abdulkadir’s ram was reportedly stolen during a downpour in the area on the eve of the Ed-el-Kabir.
An Imam in the community, Haruna Yaqub, disclosed this during the sermon, shortly after the two Raka’at prayers.
Yaqub, who condemned the incident, described it as “insensitive”.
He added that the act showed that people lack fear for God.
The Imam said, “The Ram of our Chief Imam, which he purposely brought to sacrifice, has been stolen in the night.
We are really shocked by the incident. We were surprised to hear this story. This means that people are not God-fearing.“It is scary that people have gone to the extent of stealing ram meant for religious activity.”
Speaking further, he urged people to be God-fearing and not engage in either stealing or any act of criminality.
He stressed that everyone will account for their actions on earth and hereafter.
“It is high time people repented and took the path of Allah. It is not too late. People should stop committing bad things and act according to Allah’s commandments,” he urged.
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