Connect with us

Security

NDLEA Destroys 255 Hectares Of Cannabis Farms, Arrests 13 In Ondo  

Published

on

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA in a major operation that lasted seven days, have destroyed a total of 255 hectares of cannabis farms spread across five local government areas of Ondo state.

In addition, 13 suspects were arrested and 250 kilograms of cannabis seeds as well as 63.85kg cannabis weeds were recovered during the operation deep inside five major forests: Omolowo/Powerline forest; Ipele forest; Ala forest; Ogbese forest; Utte and Okuluse forest that spread across five local council areas of the state.

The exercise codenamed ‘Operation Abub’, which began at Ogbese forest on Tuesday 15th February lasted till Monday 21st Feb, 2022. At the Ogbese forest, a suspect, Olatunde Olaoluwa was arrested in his cannabis farm measuring 10 hectares, which was destroyed and burnt along with other cannabis farms spread across the Ogbese riverbank.

The following day, 16th of Feb, the Agency’s Strike Force operatives in their numbers stormed Ipele forest where they arrested Amos Mark; Luke Job; Monday Momoh, and Otunuya Waya while 19 hectares of irrigated cannabis plantations were destroyed. One of the suspects, who escaped during the farm destruction, was later arrested in his house.

The Omolowo community in Ogbese area was next on Wednesday 17th Feb when one Mary Udonije was arrested inside a 10-hectare farm with 16.5kg of cannabis seeds and 4.5 kg of processed cannabis.  Also recovered in the farm was an irrigation pumping machine with over 700 metres hose for watering the illicit weed.

ALSO READ:  Bandits Claim One Life, Abduct Six In Sokoto

Not less than 154kg of cannabis seeds was also seized at Ala forest, Akure North Local Government Area with over 30 hectares of irrigation cannabis farms destroyed and burnt. A suspect, John Mike who claimed to be a labourer was also apprehended with 2.5kg of cannabis seeds.

On day four of the operation, 54 hectares of cannabis farm was destroyed at Utte and Okuluse forest, Ose Local Government Area of the state. Also recovered in the farm was 95kg of cannabis seeds, 2.5kg of processed cannabis sativa and a pumping machine with long hose

On the fifth day, one Anthony Agbe, 58, was arrested with 43kg of fresh cannabis inside a farm that was earlier destroyed at Ogbese.  He claimed he was contracted by one Henry Daniel, (a.k.a Calender) who is at large to help gather the destroyed cannabis weeds. On the same day, one Ahmadu Abubakar was arrested with three Dane guns in a hut within a farm where over three hectares were destroyed at Akure North Local Government Area of the state.

On the last day of the operation, Monday 21st Feb, over 50 clusters of cannabis farm spread across 47 hectares were destroyed and 2kg of cannabis seeds seized, while a suspect, Olorunlogo Lekan was apprehended inside a large cannabis farm measuring 10 hectares at Ala forest before it was destroyed and burnt by Strike Force officers drawn across Edo, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo states Commands of the anti-narcotic agency. At least, 72 hectares of other cannabis farms in small clusters close to the identified ones in the five forests were also destroyed in the course of the operation.

ALSO READ:  Showdown At Tumbun Rago: ISWAP, Boko Haram Engage In Deadly Clash

Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) commended the officers and men of the Strike Force corps of the Agency for their sacrifices and commitment to the directive by President Muhammadu Buhari that all such cultivation and plantations in the forests must be located and destroyed. He charged them to look out for more of such farms in any part of the country for similar response.

 

Femi Babafemi

Director, Media & Advocacy

NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja

Wednesday 23rd February 2022

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Security

Fish Out Killers Of Travellers In Edo, Tinubu Orders Security Agencies

Published

on

President Bola Tinubu has given marching orders to security agencies to fish out those behind the killing of some travellers in Edo State.

The victims, who were said to be travelling from Port Harcourt to the northern part of Nigeria, were allegedly killed by a mob in Uromi, Edo State, on Thursday.

While reacting to the incident, President Bola Tinubu described it as dastardly.

“The President, who expressed shock at the dastardly act on Thursday, directed Police and other security agencies to conduct swift and thorough investigations and punish the suspected culprits,” presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga said in a statement on Friday.

The President noted that jungle justice has no place in Nigeria, and all Nigerians have the freedom to move freely in any part of the country.

Tinubu condoled with the families of the affected people and assured them “that criminals would not be allowed to shed the blood of innocent Nigerians in vain”.

Meanwhile, the Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has visited the community, condemning the killing of the travellers.

The governor described the incident as barbaric, according to a statement from his spokesman Fred Itua, and ordered a full-scale investigation into the killing.

“The Governor directed the State Police Command and other security agencies to conduct thorough and speedy investigations into the matter and bring those found culpable to book. He also charged the community to work with the security agencies to fish out the culprits,” Itua said in a statement on Friday

“Governor Okpebholo also commended community leaders, especially the leadership of Arewa community in the area, for deescalating tensions and handling the situation with restrain.”

ALSO READ:  Showdown At Tumbun Rago: ISWAP, Boko Haram Engage In Deadly Clash

The governor promised justice for the victims and maintained that there is “no excuse for the vigilante members to take the law into their hands without recourse to statutory law enforcement agencies”.

Continue Reading

Security

EFCC Arrests Bauchi Accountant General Over Alleged N70bn Fraud

Published

on

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested Sirajo Jaja, the Accountant General of Bauchi State for alleged N70 billion fraud.

He was arrested in Abuja on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 alongside Aliyu Abubakar of Jasfad Resources Enterprise, an unlicensed bureau de change (BDC) operator and Sunusi Ibrahim Sambo, a Point of Sale (PoS) operator.

They were arrested in connection with investigations of money laundering, diversion of public funds and missapropriation to the tune of N70 billion.

The Commission is investigating the Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, regarding the matter.

The EFCC said investigations showed that cash withdrawal of N59billion had been made through various bank accounts opened and operated by the Accountant General on behalf of the state government.

The money was allegedly moved to Abubakar and Sambo, who in turn made cash payments to party agents and associates of the governor.

The BDC operator, Abubakar, earlier jumped bail and has now been rearrested.

ALSO READ:  Gunmen Kill Kaduna Catholic Priest
Continue Reading

Security

Man Killed Wife Over Alleged Infidelity

Published

on

The Akwa Ibom police Command has arrested one Victor Okon, 42, for the alleged gruesome murder of his wife, Victoria Okoh, 38, at their residence in Oron.

The police public relations officer, DSP Timfon John, disclosed this in a statement in Uyo, the state capital, on Monday.

Ms John said the command’s operatives swiftly responded to a distress call from concerned residents at 05:20 p.m. about the incident.

“On arrival at the scene, the officers discovered the mutilated body of the deceased lying outside the house she shared with her husband,” Mr John said.

She said preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect had allegedly attacked his wife with a machete over accusations of infidelity.

Ms John said further reports indicated that the suspect hid in the ceiling of the house in an attempt to evade arrest.

The PPRO said the officers went into the building and apprehended the man.

“The machete used in committing the crime was recovered by the police, and photographs of the scene were taken for investigation purposes,” she said.

Mr John said the remains of the deceased had been deposited at the state’s General Hospital morgue for an autopsy.

She said the suspect would be charged to court soon.

Ms John quoted the commissioner of police, CP Baba Azare, to have condemned the act and assured the public that justice would take its full course.

Mr Azare warned against all forms of domestic violence and called on residents to seek lawful means of resolving disputes rather than resorting to violence.

ALSO READ:  Nigeria: Tragic Killing, Abduction Plague Dokan Karji

He pledged the commitment of the command toward ensuring the safety of citizens.

Mr Azare also urged the members of the public to promptly report any suspicious activities to the nearest police formation.

Continue Reading