www.newstower.ng

Menu
Facebook Twitter Youtube

Category: Crime

Troops capture key suspect linked to notorious ‘Full Fire’ gang

Posted on by admin50

Troops under Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have apprehended a suspected top-ranking member of the gang led by notorious wanted criminal, Akiki Utivi, widely known as “Full Fire.”

Security analyst Zagazola Makama reported that the suspect was taken into custody on Wednesday at Takum Junction in Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State.

The arrest, carried out by troops of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Wukari, followed what sources described as reliable intelligence on the suspect’s movements.

“Wuaiyolna, who hails from Atereyange in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State, was nabbed while allegedly monitoring troops’ activities in Wukari to facilitate planned attacks and kidnappings by the gang.

“He was also found with a motorcycle, which he claimed he brought to sell in Wukari,” the source said.

Military authorities hailed the operation as a significant blow to the “Full Fire” network, which has long terrorised communities in Taraba and Benue States.

They added that while the security situation remains “calm but unpredictable,” troops’ morale and combat readiness are still high.

ANAMBRA POLICE ARRESTS 10 SUSPECTED CULTISTS, RECOVER FIREARM AND AMMUNITION

Posted on by admin50
  By Ebinum Samuel     The Anambra State Police Command in its ongoing onslaught against cultism and violent crimes, through Police Operatives attached to the Special Anti-Cultism Squad (SPACS) Enugu ukwu in the early hours of today 18th September, 2025 acting on credible intelligence, stormed the residence of Ndefoh Chijoke ‘M’, aged 23 years in Ogbunike village, Oyi local government, a strong member of the Aye Confraternity (Black Axe), who was sighted in the company of other suspected cultists. Upon a search of him, an Ontario CA American-made pistol with one live round of ammunition was recovered from the suspect.   Also, in a follow-up on the information obtained on the spot from the suspect, 9 (Nine) other suspects were arrested. They include: Obuh Onyedika ‘M’ 27yrs, Obuh Confidence ‘M’ 19yrs, Mbanusi Nnaemeka ‘M’ 22yrs, Godwin Udebeh ‘M’ 31yrs, Chizoba Onuake ‘M’ 19yrs, Ohazunike Martins ‘M’ 23yrs, Ndife Chidorie ‘M’ 23yrs, Nwosu Chinecherem ‘M’ 22yrs, and Caleb Nwafor ‘M’ 26yrs. The suspects are currently undergoing screening and profiling, after which those found culpable will be charged in court.     The spokesman for the Command , SP Tochukwu Ikenga disclosed that the Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu fwc MNIPS PhD commended the swift action of the operatives and reiterated the Command’s commitment to sustaining aggressive raids, intelligence-led operations, and community collaboration to rid the State of cultism, firearms proliferation, and other violent crimes.   Investigation is ongoing, and further developments will be communicated.   Meanwhile, other parts of the State remains calm as counter-terrorism and crime prevention operations continue.

Indian businessman, 3 others arrested over N3.9bn tramadol intercepted at Lagos airport

Posted on by admin50

 

By Ebinum Samuel

 

As NDLEA busts skuchies factory in Ikorodu, recovers 6,029 bottles; arrests couple with 19kg meth, skunk in Anambra; intercepts Ice, Loud shipments in picture frame, decoders

 

An Indian businessman Gupta Ravi Kumar and three Nigerian accomplices: Ogunlana Noah Olanrewaju, Olushola Idrees Kayode and Bakare Korede Muheeb have been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in connection with the seizure of Two Million Two Hundred and Forty-Eight Thousand (2,248,000) pills of tramadol 200mg/225mg intercepted at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Ikeja Lagos.

The tramadol shipment worth Three Billion Nine Hundred and Ninety Million Naira (N3,990,000,000) in street value was imported from Delhi, India, disguised as multi-vitamins in 114 cartons and arrived the import shed of the Lagos airport on an on Ethiopian Airline flight on Monday 8th September 2025.

A team of NDLEA officers who had put the consignment under surveillance however swooped on a clearing agent and two drivers who were trying to move the shipment out of the airport in two trucks on Thursday 11th September. A follow up operation the following day, Friday led to the arrest of the Indian businessman Gupta Ravi Kumar, when he was trying to take delivery of the consignment.

At the terminal 2 departure gate of the airport, NDLEA operatives on Sunday 7th September intercepted a passenger Onyeganochi Stanley Ifeanyi travelling on a Qatar Airline flight to Doha. A search of his bag led to the recovery of 900grams of skunk, a strain of cannabis concealed in crayfish. As a first-time traveler, Onyeganochi claimed the bag was given to him to help take to Doha by a Qatar-based Nigerian Ohadiegwu Anthony Uchenna who actually followed him to the airport.

His confession led to the arrest of Uchenna who was still within view. Operatives who later conducted a search of Uchenna’s hotel room in Ajao estate discovered additional 200grams of the same psychoactive substance. He claimed he was to return to Doha days later and pick the bag from the unsuspecting Onyeganochi if he had succeeded escaping security checks.

At the Tincan port in Lagos, a total of 161 parcels of Canadian Loud, a strain of cannabis weighing 81.7kg and 1.2kg hashish oil were recovered from a 40ft container of vehicle spare parts and used vehicles imported from Montreal Canada during a joint examination of the shipment on Tuesday 9th September. Two suspects: John Ochigbo, 53, and Okeke Kingsley, 26, have been taken into custody in connection with the seizure.

Another shipment of Canadian Loud with a total weight of 65kg was tracked from the port to Third Mainland bridge where NDLEA operatives intercepted a Toyota Sienna vehicle conveying the consignment, recovered it and arrested the driver Abubakar Ibrahim, 42 on Thursday 11th September.

Two separate shipments of methamphetamine concealed in picture frame and Loud, hidden in video players were seized at two courier companies in Lagos on Monday 8th and Thursday 11th September respectively by NDLEA operatives. While six grams of meth recovered from the picture frame were meant for delivery in Gabon, 1.1kg Loud in the decoder machines was heading to the United Arab Emirate.

In Ikorodu area of Lagos, NDLEA operatives acting on intelligence on Thursday 11th September raided a factory producing skuchies, a blend of cannabis and black currant drink. No less than 6, 029 bottles of the new psychoactive substance and 4,232kg of cannabis were recovered from the factory located in Caritas, Ibeshe area of Ikorodu while the factory manager Joy Awosika was arrested. Another suspect, Akeem Oriola was same day arrested in Mushin area of Lagos with 26kg skunk.

In Abuja, NDLEA operatives on a stop and search operation at Utako area of the FCT on Thursday 11th September arrested a dispatch rider Godsplan Vincent, 29, while on a mission to distribute 50.7grams of cocaine and 66grams of Loud. Three female suspects: Faidat Azeez, 25; Alanu Fatimoh, 40, and Mojeed Taiwo, 25, were arrested in Lagbondoko and Akitan areas of Oyo town, Oyo State in connection with the seizure of 17kg skunk found in their possession.

No fewer than 100,000 pills of tramadol 200mg/225mg were seized from a suspect Musa Shuaibu, 38, at Gadar Tamburawa, along Zaria – Kano road on Monday 8th September while

196 litres of Akuskura, a new psychoactive substance, were recovered from Abubakar Adamu, 35, at Na’ibawa area of Kano by NDLEA operatives who also seized 34.1kg skunk, 493 tubes of rubber solution and 25 litres of ‘suck and die’, an NPS, from Basiru Umar, 18,

at Wailari area, Kumbotso LGA, Kano state on Thursday 11th September.

In Anambra state, a couple: Nzube Onyedika, 41, and Ebele Onyedika, 42, were arrested during a raid operation at Obosi where 13.9kg Methamphetamine and 5.3kg skunk were recovered from them while various quantities of meth, tramadol, swinol, heroin and skunk were seized from another suspect Nnamchi Tochukwu, 36.

In Yobe, a suspect Mohammed Auwal was arrested after 36 blocks of cannabis sativa weighing 22.1kg were recovered from his residence at Gadan Talakawa area of Potiskum, while three trans-border drug traffickers: Kunyadi Kunle Ogbungbun, 24; Olalekan Adewale, 20; and Sanya Joshua,22, were nabbed with 394kg skunk at Imeko area of Ogun State during a joint operation by NDLEA operatives with the police and local vigilante on Sunday 7th September. Three motorcycles used in conveying the illicit consignment were also recovered.

In Edo state, a total of 16,966.633 kilograms of skunk were destroyed on a cannabis plantation measuring 6.786653 hectares at Ugbogyi forest, Ovia South West LGA while 112 bags of processed cannabis weighing 1,176 kilograms were also recovered at the farm where four suspects: Ebenezer Ewang; Oshore John; Emmanuel Monday and David Sunday were arrested.

In like manner, Commands and formations of the Agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization activities to schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others in the past week. These include: WADA sensitization lecture to drivers at Onitsha South Motors park, Enugu North, Enugu state; Islamic faithful at Otu Central Mosque, Otu, Oyo state; students and staff of Salamah International School, Malumfashi, Katsina; Islamic faithful at Wawa Central Mosque, Wawa town, Niger state, while the Ogun state command of NDLEA paid a WADA advocacy visit to the Osile Oke-Ona Egba, Oba Adedapo Adewale Tejuosho, Karounwi III, among others.

While commending the officers and men of MMIA, DOGI, Tincan, Lagos, Oyo, Edo, Kano, FCT, Anambra, Yobe, and Ogun Commands for the arrests, and seizures, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) enjoined them and their colleagues across the country to continue with the ongoing balanced approach to the drug control efforts of the Agency.

Bandits gun down 8, injure others in Southern Kaduna

Posted on by admin50

Rampaging armed bandits on Sunday stormed Wake village in  Kachia Local Government Area, Kaduna State, leaving eight residents dead and at least 20 others injured, with several of them battling for their lives.

During the violent raid in the community located in Southern Kaduna, the assailants also abducted an undisclosed number of villagers, though the exact figure has not yet been determined.

According to a report by counter-insurgency expert, Zagozola Makama, burials for the victims are already underway, while the community struggles to provide care for the wounded.

As at the time of filing this report, the Kaduna State Police Command has yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident.

Four-man Anambra phone-snatching gang nabbed, exhibits recovered

Posted on by admin50

 

 

The Anambra State Police Command has arrested a four-man tricycle and phone robbery gang operating in the Awka and Ifite areas of the state and specialising in robbing unsuspecting members of the public.

 

The spokesman for the state command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, in a press statement on Tuesday, said the police operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad carried out the arrest in the early hours of Monday.

 

Ikenga said exhibits recovered from the gang include nine brands of phones, including the victim’s iPhone, one laptop, two tricycles with registration numbers LSD 464 QP and BLF 552 VH, four different tricycle plate numbers and a substance suspected to be a hard drug.

The statement read, “Anambra State Police Operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad Awkuzu, in the early hours of August 25, 2025, while on night patrol along the Agu Awka/Ifite Awka axis, intercepted a tricycle and arrested a four-man criminal syndicate specialising in robbing unsuspecting residents, particularly students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, of their phones and other valuables.

 

“The suspects include: Nnaji Chidera ‘m’ 19 years; Chijioke Mmaduabuchi ‘m’ 21 years; Wisdom Ogbonna ‘m’ 19 years, and Afamefuna Egbe ‘m’ 20 years. Exhibits recovered are nine brands of phones, including the victim’s iPhone, one laptop, two tricycles with registration numbers LSD 464 QP and BLF 552 VH, four different tricycle plate numbers and a substance suspected to be a hard drug.

 

“The operatives, upon interrogation of the suspects, confessed to being part of a criminal syndicate that specialises in robbing students within the Awka axis.

 

“They further revealed that the multiple tricycle plate numbers found with them were usually used to disguise their operational vehicles whenever they embarked on armed robbery.”

According to him, the Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Ikioye Orutugu, while commending the operatives for their swift response and urging youths to desist from crime, warned that the Command will not relent in ensuring that criminals face the full weight of the law.

Katsina: Bandits abduct family of 3, kill vigilante during attack

Posted on by admin50

 

 

Residents of the Sabuwar Unguwa area in Katsina city were thrown into panic after suspected bandits invaded the community in the early hours of Monday, August 25, 2025.

 

The armed men, who stormed the neighborhood around 3:00 a.m., reportedly fired several gunshots into the air to scare residents before carrying out the abduction.

 

According to reports, the assailants killed a vigilante member who tried to resist the attack before whisking away one Anas Ahmed, his wife, Halimatu, and their daughter.

 

Local journalist Bakatsine confirmed the incident on Tuesday, describing it as yet another tragic reminder of the growing insecurity in Katsina and other parts of northern Nigeria.

“Yesterday night, bandits attacked Sabuwar Unguwa area, behind NAK Steel company in Katsina city. One VGN member was k!lled, and a young family was abducted from their home. What we once heard from afar is now at our doorstep,” he wrote.

Widow using fake pregnancy to traffic cocaine arrested by NDLEA in Lagos

Posted on by admin50

 

By Ebinum Samuel

 

As agency intercepts 90 parcels of Loud in kitchen sinks; arrests dispatch riders distributing illicit drugs in Abuja; destroys 75,544kg skunk in Delta, Ondo, Edo, Taraba forests; recovers 825,000 pills of opioids in Kano, Adamawa, Kogi

 

A 50-year-old widow and fashion designer, Mrs. Ifeoma Henrietta Ezewuike has been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) over attempt to traffic 1.3 kilograms of cocaine, using fake pregnancy as a façade to escape scrutiny and detection.

The widow who is a mother of one and proprietress of Golden Star Creation, a fashion outfit in Ago palace way, Okota Lagos, was arrested at a bus terminal in Jibowu, Yaba area of the state on Friday 22nd August 2025 while attempting to move the cocaine consignment to customers in Abuja.

A follow up operation at her house in Ago palace area led to the recovery of 200 grams of cutting agent used in the production of a strain of cocaine. In her statement, Ezewuike claimed she inherited the criminal trade from her husband who died two years ago, while she has been in the fashion business for 20 years.

Not less than 90 parcels of Loud, a strain of cannabis weighing 48.6kg, imported from the United States of America and concealed in three cartons of kitchen sink were intercepted at a courier company in Lagos on Tuesday 19th August by NDLEA officers of the Directorate of Operation and General Investigation (DOGI).

In Adamawa, NDLEA operatives acting on credible intelligence on Friday 22nd August raided the home of a notorious drug dealer Idris Garba who scaled the fence to escape arrest while one of his associates Boniface Nnaji, 55, who attempted same was caught in the act at Rumde Baru area of Yola South.

Recovered from the premises include a black Toyota Thundra jeep marked FST- 885-CZ driven to Yola by Nnaji to supply Garba 354,480 pills of tramadol 225mg, 250mg and others as well as a Toyota Yaris car with registration number DSA 776 AA.

A total of 5,000 capsules of tramadol, 400 ampoules of pentazocine injection and 200 ampoules of diazepam injection were seized from a suspect Neche Okonkwo at the Idah waterside after crossing the River Niger from Onitsha, Anambra state to Lokoja, Kogi state with the opioids on Wednesday 20th August.

In Kano, the duo of Buhari Ibrahim, 25, and Mansur Musa, 24, were nabbed at Zangon Dakata Ungogo, with 5,850 capsules of pregabaline on Tuesday 19th August, while a total of 452,070 pills of opioids were recovered from the home of a suspect Rabilu Mukhtar who is at large, at Rangaza, Ungogo LGA just as Buhari Idris, 35, was arrested at Tashan Rami area of the state with 140 litres of codeine syrup, both on same Tuesday. No fewer than 7,000 capsules of tramadol were seized from Adamu Yusuf, 29, along Zaria-Kano road, Kwanar Dangora area of the state on Saturday 23rd August.

A total of 2, 289.49 kilograms of skunk, a strain of cannabis were intercepted in three interdiction operations by NDLEA operatives in Kwara state. While 1,232.86kg was recovered from a Mitsubishi Canter truck marked ZUR 66 XT on Wednesday 20th August at Ajase-Ipo area of the state with a suspect, Kabiru Abdullahi arrested, another consignment of same psychoactive substance weighing 328.42kg was seized from Paul Olaniran, 47, in a Mercedes Benz truck marked LSD 659 YE same day, same location.

 

The following day Thursday 21st August, NDLEA operatives intercepted another consignment of skunk weighing 728.21kg in a Mitsubishi Canter truck with registration number GAD 287 XA, at Ajase-Ipo junction, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara state where two suspects: Abubakar Zaki, 44; and Yau Babangida, 45, were arrested. Similarly, two suspects: Awe Sunday, 50; and Ayodele Adedayo, 54, were nabbed at Alafia Quarters, Ikere-Ekiti, Ekiti state in connection with the seizure of 96 kilograms of skunk.

In Taraba, NDLEA operatives in conjunction with Civil Defence Corps personnel on Wednesday 20th August destroyed 7,500kg skunk on three hectares of farmland at Dadin Kowa village, Bali LGA, while 901kg of same substance was recovered from a warehouse at Uzebba in Owan West LGA, Edo State where a 54-year-old female suspect Fodo Stella Sunday was arrested on Tuesday 19th August.

In other operations in Edo state, a total of 14,233.37 kilograms of skunk were destroyed on four plantations that measured 5.69375 hectares at Ebule forest, Owan West Local Government Area on Wednesday 20th August.

 

 

In Delta state, NDLEA operatives supported by the military destroyed a total of 25,500kg skunk on four plantations measuring 10.2 hectares in Emu-Obiogu community, Ndokwa West LGA on Thursday 21st August, while in Ondo state, 25,025kg of same psychoactive substance was destroyed on three farms with a combined measurement of 10.01 hectares at Asolo camp, Uso area of the state.

Two dispatch riders were on Thursday 21st August arrested by NDLEA officers in a stop and search operation in Jabi area of Abuja for distributing illicit substances in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). While Garba Sule, 29, was caught with 300 milligrams of pentazocine injection, Isaac Augustine, 35, was nabbed with 8.64grams of skunk packaged for delivery.

In the same vein, Commands and formations of the Agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, sensitization activities to schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others in the past week. These include: WADA enlightenment lecture to women and teachers at Women Islamiyya School, Kanti Central mosque, Kanti, Katsina state; students and staff of Fathul Bari Islamiyya, Hayin Gwarmai, Bebeji LGA, Kano; while the Abia state command of NDLEA paid WADA advocacy visit to Governor Alex Otti just as Zone 4 command of the Agency paid WADA advocacy visit to HRH Andoma of Doma, Alhaji Ahmadu Aliyu Ogah in his palace in Doma, Nasarawa state.

While commending the officers and men of DOGI, Lagos, Kano, Kogi, Kwara, Taraba, Delta, Adamawa, FCT, Ondo, Ekiti and Edo Commands for the arrests, seizures and their dexterity, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) enjoined them and their colleagues across the country to continue with the ongoing balanced approach to the drug control efforts of the Agency.

65-Year-old Man In Police Net Over Illegal Possession Of 1,100 Live Ammunition in Anambra

Posted on by admin50

 

 

A  65-year-old man, Godwin Akpan, has been arrested for being in illegal possession of 1,100 rounds of live ammunition.

 

The suspect was arrested on by operatives of the the Rapid Response Squad, Akwuzu, Anambra State Police Command, on August 22, 2025.

 

According to a statement on Saturday by the Command’s Spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, acting on credible information, the operatives swooped on Akpan at his hideout in Nkpor, Onitsha.

 

“During interrogation, the suspect confessed to being involved in the illegal sale of ammunition and mentioned other individuals connected to the illicit trade,” Ikenga said.

 

He added that operatives have launched a manhunt to apprehend all accomplices.

How man killed his 5-year-old cousin after parents failed to pay ransom – Police

Posted on by admin50

 

 

The Enugu State Police Command has arrested two suspects in connection with the abduction and killing of a five-year-old boy in Udi Local Government Area of the state.

 

Police spokesperson Daniel Ndukwe, who disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, identified the suspects as Ikediekpere Obodoagu (18) and Sunday Michael (24).

 

According to the statement, Obodoagu, the prime suspect, allegedly conspired with Michael to carry out the heinous crime, which has shocked the local community.

 

The victim, Wisdom, was the prime suspect’s cousin. They hail from Okinitor village, Amankwo Ngwo, a community in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu.

The alleged accomplice is a security guard at 9th Mile and a native of Mayo-Belwa Local Government Area of Adamawa State, Nigeria’s north-east.

 

Mr Ndukwe said the victim was reported missing on 26 July 2025 after which the prime suspect used his accomplice to demand N1 million ransom from the victim’s father.

 

The police spokesperson explained that the prime suspect’s use of an accomplice to demand ransom was an attempt to protect his identity.

 

He said the suspects were arrested on 11 and 12 August 2025 by police operatives from the Anti-Kidnapping Tactical Squad, following intelligence gathered after ransom demands were reported.

 

“When the ransom went unmet, the suspect murdered the child and buried him in a bush near their residence in Okinitor, Amankwo Ngwo, Udi Local Government Area,” he said.

 

“During interrogation, the suspects confessed to the crime. The prime suspect thereafter led operatives to the scene, where the victim’s body was exhumed in the presence of medical personnel, including a doctor, who certified the child dead,” Mr Ndukwe narrated.

 

Mr Ndukwe said the Commissioner of Police in the state, Bitrus Giwa, has commiserated with the bereaved family and assured them that the suspects will be arraigned upon conclusion of investigations.

 

Mr Giwa reiterated that the police in the state are committed to detecting and preventing heinous crimes and ensuring justice in the state.

Anambra Police Command Warns Vigilante Groups Quasi-security Outfits Against Brutality, Abuse Of Authority

Posted on by admin50

 

 

The Anambra Police Command has warned vigilante groups and other quasi-security outfits against acts of brutality or abuse of authority against residents of the State.

 

The Command gave the warning on Tuesday in a statement by its Spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, on an alleged assault on a yet-to-be-identified female member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

 

The assault was reportedly carried out by vigilante operatives at Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area of the State.

 

The Command while disclosing that the suspects involved have been identified, warned that any such misconduct will not be condoned.

 

“The Command, however, notes that the alleged victim’s unavailability has temporarily stalled the ongoing investigative process.

 

“Meanwhile, the Command has reiterated that assault in any form remains a criminal offence under the Nigerian Law and reserves the right to take necessary legal action to aid the court proceedings while waiting for the victim,” the statement said.

 

While reassuring Corps members serving across the State of its unwavering commitment to their protection, the Command urged them to always report incidents of harassment, intimidation, or abuse for prompt intervention.