Category: Crime Watch

NDLEA intercepts Indian Woman with 72 parcels of heroin in chocolate wraps at Kano Airport …. Recovers Tramadol concealed in Gas Cylinder, Cocaine, Skunk in Kano, Lagos raids

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a 42-year-old Indian woman, Ms. Neetu Neetu, at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano, with 72 parcels of heroin concealed in wafer wraps and disguised as chocolates. The intercepted consignment, weighing 11 kilograms, was discovered in her luggage during a thorough search at the airport’s arrival hall on Friday, 14th March 2025. Neetu had arrived on a Qatar Airways flight (QR1431) from Bangkok, Thailand, via Vietnam and Doha. In response to the arrest, NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer,…

Customs MMIA hands over $578,000 concealed cash, suspect to EFCC

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Command, has handed over a falsely declared sum of $578,000 and a suspect to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation and prosecution.   Speaking at the handover ceremony on Friday, March 21, 2025, the Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller Effiong Harrison, revealed that the suspect, Okorie Sylvanus Sunday, arrived in Lagos from South Africa on Wednesday, March 19, 2025.   According to Harrison, the suspect initially declared $279,000 at the Currency Declaration Desk. However, during a…

Nigeria Customs, Security Agencies Destroy Expired, Illicit Drugs in Lagos

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and other regulatory agencies, has intensified efforts to rid the country of expired and illicit drugs through a large-scale destruction exercise.   The exercise took place on Friday, March 22, 2025, at a dumpsite in Epe, Lagos, where Assistant Comptroller of Customs Oluwaseun Oguntuase, representing the NCS, highlighted the dangers of expired drugs and the crucial role of enforcement in seizing them.   “Many of these drugs are expired, and expired drugs must not…

IGP deploys 38 Commissioners of Police to boost security nationwide … Orders 9 CPs to State Commands, 29 to Police Formations

Lukman Laleye Babalola

In a strategic move to enhance security across the country, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has approved the deployment of 38 Commissioners of Police (CPs) to various State Commands and Police Formations.   The deployment, aimed at strengthening intelligence-led policing and crime prevention, includes 9 CPs assigned to key state commands and 29 CPs posted to specialized police formations to reinforce law enforcement operations nationwide.   The newly posted CPs for state commands are: CP Ibrahim Balarabe Maikaba – Zamfara State CP Bretet Emmanuel Simon – Taraba…

Customs seizes $193,000 hidden in yogurt carton at Abuja Airport

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted $193,000 in undeclared foreign currency, cleverly concealed inside a yogurt carton at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. The interception, which took place on Thursday, March 20, 2025, was the result of intelligence gathering and a detailed baggage check on an inbound passenger. Addressing journalists at the airport’s International Wing, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Olumide Adebisi, disclosed that the suspect, Kamilu Abdullahi Sarina (40), arrived in Nigeria onboard Ethiopian Airlines Flight No. 951 from Jeddah,…

Edo Police arrests Kidnap, Armed Robbery suspects, recovers firearms and cash

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Edo State Police Command has made significant breakthroughs in its fight against crime, arrested multiple suspects linked to armed robbery and kidnapping across the state. Within the last 48 hours, operatives of the Command carried out successful operations, leading to the recovery of firearms, cash, and other incriminating items. According to a release signed by the Police Public Relations Officer ,Edo State Police Command, CSP Moses Joel Yamu, the arrests were made during separate operations conducted by police operatives in collaboration with vigilante groups. The statement revealed that on…

NDLEA intercepts International Drug Shipments concealed in prayer beads, board games —Arrests 2 suspects, seizes large drug consignments across 7 States and FCT

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intensified its crackdown on drug trafficking syndicates, intercepted multiple illicit drug shipments concealed in prayer beads, board games, female clothing, and Vitamin C bottles. The shipments, destined for the United States, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Poland, and the United Arab Emirates, were seized at logistics firms and the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos. In a statement issued by Femi Babafemi, Director, Media & Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, on Sunday, 16th March 2025, the Chairman/CEO of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa…

Customs intensifies crackdown on PMS smuggling in Adamawa … As Operation Whirlwind intercepts 916 Kegs worth ₦22.9million

Lukman Laleye Babalola

In a renewed offensive against fuel smuggling, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted 916 kegs of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) valued at ₦22.9 million in Adamawa State. The operation, conducted under the special task force Operation Whirlwind, targeted smuggling hotspots in Maiha, Mubi, Gurin, and Belel.   Announcing the seizure during a press briefing on March 14, 2025, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, represented by the National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Assistant Comptroller-General Hussein Ejibunu, disclosed that the confiscated PMS, stored in 25-litre kegs, totaled 22,900 litres. Ejibunu…

Customs dismantles smuggling network, seizes 34,470 litres of PMS in Adamawa-Taraba border raid … CGC orders public auction at subsidised rate

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted 34,470 litres of smuggled Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) along the Adamawa-Taraba border corridors, dealing a major blow to transnational smuggling networks. Acting on credible intelligence, Customs operatives seized 1,149 jerrycans of PMS along with a specially modified transport vehicle valued at ₦4 million, bringing the total duty-paid value of the confiscated items to ₦37.78 million.   Addressing journalists in Jalingo, Taraba State, on Thursday, March 13, 2025, the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, described the operation as a strategic response to the…

Security Operatives Rescue Rev. Fr. Ekeli in Edo After Intense Operation

Emporium Reporters

A joint team of security operatives in Edo State has successfully rescued Reverend Father Philip Ekeli, who was kidnapped alongside a seminarian, Peter Andrew, on March 3, 2025, at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Iviukha, Etsako East Local Government Area. The Commander of the Edo State Security Corps, Friday Ibadin, a retired Commissioner of Police, commended the combined efforts of security agencies, stating that the operatives engaged in extensive bush combing, which led to the victim’s rescue on March 13, 2025, in Amughe Community after 10 days in captivity. Ibadin disclosed…