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NDLEA arrests billionaire drug baron in Switzerland

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Operatives of a Special Operations Unit of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, in close coordination with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, DEA, Lagos Country Office, and law enforcement partners from Switzerland, France, and Greece, have successfully dismantled a transnational criminal organization involved in drug money laundering operations running into hundreds of billions of naira across Europe and Nigeria.

The multi-country investigation into the drug money laundering operations culminated in the simultaneous arrest of a billionaire drug baron, Amadi Simon, in Switzerland and his co-conspirators – 34-year-old Jecinta Amara Ikechi, in Anambra State, and 28-year-old Blessing Ngozi Amadi in Agbor, Delta State – on Tuesday 28th April 2026.

This was announced in a statement on Thursday by Femi Babafemi, Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja.

Babafemi disclosed that this followed months of intelligence and investigations across multiple jurisdictions linking Amadi to the laundering of hundreds of billions of Naira in proceeds of drug and financial crimes.

In addition to the arrest of the suspects, the NDLEA, in collaboration with its international law enforcement partners, has also traced multi-billion assets linked to Amadi’s transnational criminal network in Nigeria and abroad.

His operations in Nigeria included a complex scheme of front and shell companies; pass-throughs and delegates and the use of numerous traditional and cryptocurrency accounts to conceal and launder illicit funds.

Properties already identified and linked to Amadi Simon as proceeds of illicit drug funds include: Jovi Hotel at 1 Isiayei Street GRA Phase1, Asaba, Delta State; Jovi Hotel and Suites at 4 Orikeze by Deeper Life Road, Agbor, Delta State; as well as Jovi Apartment at Jamieson Court Mabushi, Abuja.

Also, several bank accounts and crypto currency addresses used by the cartel to conceal hundreds of billions of illicit funds have also been identified and blocked.

Speaking on the coordinated efforts of the NDLEA, the United States DEA, and other international partners, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Agency, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd.) said the success of the multi-country and multi-year operations has sent a clear message that the NDLEA maintains “a zero-tolerance policy toward crimes that jeopardize the safety of the Nigerian people, the integrity of our national reputation, and the stability of our economy.”

Marwa expressed gratitude for the support received from the US-DEA to crack and dismantle Amadi’s transnational criminal network, adding that the US Mission to Nigeria has continued to partner with the Agency to combat narcotics trafficking through training in intelligence, evidence collection, case management, and tactical operations as well as the provision of critical equipment.

He assured that NDLEA will continue to expand its cooperation with the United States and other international partners.

“The NDLEA remains relentless in its pursuit of those involved in narcotics trafficking and associated financial crimes, regardless of where they attempt to hide,” he said.



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Police recover stolen vehicle in Bauchi, arrest three suspects

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The Bauchi State Police Command has recovered a stolen Opel Vectra vehicle and arrested three suspects in connection with an alleged vehicle theft operation spanning Bauchi and Gombe states.

Police spokesperson, SP Nafiu Habib, said the breakthrough followed a distress call received on June 29, 2026, from a good Samaritan who reported that unidentified persons had stolen a green Opel Vectra with registration number AH 232 AKK, belonging to Mr Muazu, a resident of Katsinawa Village along Jos Road in Bauchi.

According to the statement, officers attached to the ‘E’ Division immediately launched an operation and intercepted the vehicle at Dorawan Dillalai, where one suspect was arrested and the stolen vehicle recovered.

The police said further investigations led detectives from the Area Command to Gombe State, where two more suspects, Abubakar Musa, 46, and Usman Abubakar, 30, were arrested while allegedly negotiating to purchase the stolen vehicle.

“The suspects have confessed to the crimes and revealed that this is not the first time they committed such offence,” the police said, adding that investigations are ongoing and all three suspects will be charged in court upon completion of the investigation.

Reacting to the operation, the Commissioner of Police in Bauchi State, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, praised the swift response of the officers and the member of the public who provided the crucial tip.

“We commend the prompt action of our operatives and the public-spirited individual whose timely information made the recovery possible. The Command remains committed to clamping down on vehicle theft and other related crimes across the state,” CP Sani-Omolori said.



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Gunmen storm Plateau smoking spot, kill three, injure teenage girl 

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Three persons have been killed while a teenage girl sustained gunshot injuries following an attack by suspected Fulani bandits at a smoking spot in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The development was disclosed in a report by Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency and security expert covering the Lake Chad region.

According to the report, troops of Sector 4, Operation Enduring Peace, OPEP, responded to reports of sporadic gunfire at about 7:58pm on July 4, 2026, around the Rantiya community.

On arrival at the scene, troops found the bodies of three young men who had been shot dead, while a teenage girl was discovered with gunshot wounds sustained during the attack, the report stated.

The bodies of the victims were evacuated to the General Hospital in Barkin Ladi, while the injured girl was rushed to Damlak Clinic for urgent medical treatment, according to the report.

According to Makama, troops have launched operations to track down and apprehend the fleeing attackers responsible for the incident.

“Security agencies said investigations into the incident are ongoing as efforts continue to restore calm and prevent further violence in the area,” the report stated.



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Court jails 25-year-old man 7 years for defiling 10-year-old in Rivers

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A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has sentenced 25-year-old Jerry Njoku to seven years’ imprisonment with hard labour for defiling a ten-year-old minor.

Delivering judgement, trial judge Justice Rita Oguguo held that the prosecution had successfully proved the case of defilement against Njoku, sentencing him to seven years’ imprisonment with hard labour. The judge also ordered the convict to pay the sum of five million naira as compensation to the family of the minor for her upkeep.

While the defence counsel declined to comment on the judgment, the prosecution counsel, Precious Ordu, a Chief State Counsel with the Ministry of Justice, described the verdict as a welcome development, saying it would serve the interests of the state, the victim and the convict alike.

Ordu expressed confidence that the judgment would serve as a deterrent to persons harbouring intentions of defiling minors, urging such individuals to exercise restraint.

“It’s a welcome development. At least those that have intentions of defiling minors will also sit up and control their urge.

“I’m sure this thing is not ordinary, for a girl of 10 years to be defiled. The girl was not only defiled but molested; she was really destroyed.

“The court, in its wisdom, gave a judgment of seven years with hard labour and a fine of five million naira. It’s a welcome development.”



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