CRIME
NDLEA destroys 317 Tons of Cannabis in Edo Forest, Arrests Four

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), says it has destroyed and set ablaze over 317,417 kgs (317.4 metric tons) of cannabis sativa in the Opuje forests, Edo.
The Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, Mr Femi Babafemi, disclosed this on Saturday in a statement made available to Journalists in Abuja.
Babafemi said that this happened barely hours after the Chairman, NDLEA, retired Brig.
-Gen. Buba Marwa, vowed to make life tough for drug barons and cartels in the new year if they failed to back out of the illicit trade.He said that Operatives of the agency have dealt a lethal blow to a cluster of cannabis syndicates operating in the said forest during the two-day operation.
“At least, a police impersonator, Omoruan Theophilus, 37, who parades as a Police Inspector to convey the drugs from the forests to the cities, was arrested.
“And three others: Aigberuan Jacob, 42; Ekeinde Anthony Zaza, 53, and Naomi Patience Ohiewere, 42, were also arrested in connection with the drugs,” he said.
Babafemi said that the Opuje community in Owan West Local Government Area of Edo is notorious for cannabis cultivation, where the cartels invest huge resources.
This, he said, involved cutting down economic trees of the forest and cultivating cannabis on a large scale, running into hundreds of hectares.
“After harvest, they build warehouses inside the forest reserves and employ the services of armed youths to protect the warehouses 24/7.
“Accessing the forest on Wednesday January 18, took hours of trekking by hundreds of NDLEA operatives who were ambushed with bonfire by armed youths on their way out of the community the following day.
“They were, however, able to successfully leave the area without any casualty except the heavy investment losses inflicted on the cartels,” he said.
In the same vein, the agency on Thursday, Jan. 19, through intelligence received from the Drug Enforcement Administration of the United States, busted a criminal syndicate.
Babafemi said that the suspect was involved in the trafficking of fake American currency in Lagos.
He said that during a combined operation carried out by NDLEA operatives with their EFCC colleagues, a total of US$269,000 counterfeit currency were recovered from the syndicate.
This, he said, was at Oniru Shoprite area of Lekki, Lagos, where three suspects were arrested.
He quoted Marwa as commending all the officers involved in the two special operations in Edo and Lagos for their professionalism and commitment.
Marwa directed that the suspects arrested (with their fake dollars) in the Lekki operation be immediately transferred to the EFCC for possible prosecution. (NAN)
CRIME
Convict Bags 18-yr Imprisonment over Sexual Assault on Twins

By Torough David, Abuja |
An Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court on Thursday convicted and sentenced a defendant, Chidera Chibuzor to 18-year imprisonment, over attempted sexual assault on underaged twins.
The twin sisters (names withheld) are eight-year -old.
Justice Rahman Oshodi, passed the verdict on the convict, following a plea bargain agreement reached with the Lagos State Ministry of Justice, who is prosecuting the case.
The amended charge bordered on attempted sexual assault by penetration, sexual assault, and assault.
Oshodi held that the court was satisfied that the convict understood the nature of the offences to which he pleaded guilty.
According to him, the case is a de novo (fresh) trial after the convict had originally stood trial on a two-count charge of defilement of the twins.
He held that no witness had testified in the new trial before the convict opted to change his plea.
The court, consequently, held that it had carefully considered the submissions of the prosecution and defence counsel, and thereafter, convicted Chibuzor of the three-count charge.
Oshodi held: “It is significant for you to understand that the initial charges of defilement, as preferred initially against you, attract a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment under the criminal law.
“These offences involved twin sisters, eight-year-old vulnerable children who were entitled to protection and care.
“The plea bargain negotiations in which you participated have resulted in amended charges that permit this court to exercise discretion in sentencing, albeit within the statutory framework governing the offences to which you have now pleaded guilty.
“I have also taken note of your own words during these proceedings, where you stated that you are not proud of your actions but this acknowledgement, whilst it cannot undo the harm caused, demonstrates a recognition of the wrongfulness of your conduct.”
After considering the circumstances of the case, as well as the terms of the plea bargain agreement, the court consequently, sentenced Chibuzor as follows:
“14 years imprisonment on count one, three years imprisonment on count two, and one year imprisonment on count three.
The court held that the terms of imprisonment shall run consecutively.
A consecutive sentence is where a judge orders a convict to serve multiple prison sentences one after the other, rather than at the same time (concurrently).
The judge added that the sentence shall take effect from Sept. 18, 2020, the date of his remand, adding that he should be registered as a sex offender.
State counsel, Dare Dada had told the court that the convict committed the offences sometime between July 2019 and September 2020 at Karimu Street in Surulere Lagos.
CRIME
One Die, Two Injure as FCT Police Foil Robbery Attempt

By Laide Akinboade, Abuja
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Police Command on Monday evening foiled a robbery attempt in the Zone E Extension area of Apo Resettlement, Abuja.
This was contained in a statement by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh in Abuja.
She said this was as a result of a distress call received from a commercial motorcycle rider in Apo Resettlement, reporting heavy gunfire in the area, the Divisional Police Officer of Apo Division, Uchenna Igwebuike, immediately mobilized his Ambush and Surveillance Teams to the scene.
The attackers engaged the police team in a fierce gun battle. In a swift tactical response, a reinforcement team led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, Isyaku Sharu, arrived at the scene.
The operatives responded with superior firepower, forcing the assailants to flee into the surrounding hills.A joint manhunt operation involving Police operatives and local vigilantes is currently ongoing to track down and apprehend the fleeing suspects.
During the operation, three persons were rescued with varying degrees of injuries inflicted by the attackers. A light green Toyota Corolla with registration number GWA 620 AU, belonging to one of the victims, was recovered at the scene.
All injured persons were immediately evacuated to Sahad Hospital, Apo Resettlement, for emergency medical care. Sadly, one of the victims later succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead by medical personnel. His remains have been deposited in the hospital morgue.
The Commissioner of Police, Ajao Adewale, extends his heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased and assures residents that the Command remains fully committed to protecting lives and property across the Territory.
The CP also appeals to members of the public, especially residents of communities around Apo Resettlement and its environs, to report anyone seen with gunshot wounds or suspicious injuries to the nearest police station or via any of the Command’s emergency numbers: 08032003913 or 08028940883.
He urged the public to remain vigilant, law-abiding, and continue supporting the Police in their fight against crime and criminality.
CRIME
NDLEA Arrests 129 Suspects, Seizes 280kg Illicit Drugs in Kogi

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested 129 suspects and seized 280kg of illicit drugs in the last six months in Kogi.
State NDLEA Commander, Umar Yahuza made the disclosure during a news conference in commemoration of the United Nations’ Day against Drug Abuse in Lokoja on Tuesday.
According to Yahuza, the feat is a major clampdown on drug abuse and trafficking in Kogi, a gateway for travellers from both the northern and southern parts of the country.
“The agency in its eagle eye operations from January to June has successfully arrested 129 suspects and seized a total of 282.3 Kg of illicit drugs in the state.
“The substances seized include: cannabis savita, cocaine, tramadol, opioids and various psychotropic drugs.
“The unfortunate thing is that these harmful drugs were meant to be sold to our teeming youths in Kogi and transported to other parts of the country.
“One can only imagine the level of destruction that would have followed if the drugs had found their way into circulation,” he said.
The commander also disclosed that the agency had secured 35 convictions within the period under review, and that some other cases were in various stages of trial at the Federal High Court.
Through its Drug Demand Reduction Unit, the agency has been actively engaged in drug abuse prevention campaigns across motor parks, schools, mosques, churches, and corporate organisations in Kogi State.
According to him, 106 drug-dependent individuals received brief counselling interventions aside 40 individuals referred by their families who have since been reintegrated into society.
Yahuza warned illicit drug users and traffickers to stop the dastardly act or face the wrath of the law, stressing that there is no room for criminals and criminality in the state.