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NDLEA smashes Nigerian-Mexican meth cartel, arrests three Mexicans, others

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has dismantled a transnational methamphetamine production syndicate involving Nigerian and Mexican nationals.

The agency arrested 10 suspects, including three Mexican nationals and the alleged kingpin of the cartel.

NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), disclosed this at a media briefing in Abuja on Wednesday.

According to Marwa, operatives of the agency’s Special Operations Unit, SOU, carried out coordinated operations in Ogun and Lagos states on May 16, 2026, leading to the discovery and shutdown of what he described as the largest clandestine methamphetamine laboratory uncovered in Nigeria.

The laboratory was located in Abidagba forest in Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State and allegedly operated by the Anochili Innocent Drug Trafficking Organisation.

Marwa said seven suspects were arrested at the forest laboratory, including three Mexican nationals identified as Martinez Felix Nemecto, 46; Jesus López Valles, 40; and Torrero Juan Carlos, 51.

The four Nigerians arrested at the site were identified as Nwankwo Sunday Christian, 41; Igwe Abuchi Remijus, 42; Ifeanyichukwu Chibuike Joshua, 23; and Egwuonwu Uchenna Victor, 38.

He said another team of operatives simultaneously raided the Lekki residence of the alleged cartel leader, Anochili Innocent, located at No. 8 Tafawa Balewa Street, Golf Estate, Lakowe, Lagos, where he was arrested.

According to Marwa, investigators recovered the international passports and mobile phones of the three Mexican suspects from the residence, linking the suspect to their alleged importation into Nigeria.

The NDLEA boss added that follow-up operations on May 18 led operatives to another property linked to the suspect at Mayfair Estate, Lakowe, where another alleged member of the syndicate, Kingsley Orike Omonughwa, 44, was arrested.

He said operatives also raided the residence of another suspect, Emeka Nwobum, alleged to have operated a stash house for the cartel.

Marwa said the operation resulted in the seizure of 2,419.48 kilograms of methamphetamine and precursor chemicals.

He estimated the street value of the seized substances at $362.9 million, equivalent to about N480 billion.

Items recovered during the operation included a Toyota Tacoma allegedly used for operations at the laboratory and a Toyota Highlander recovered from the kingpin’s residence.

Marwa said the operation followed months of intelligence gathering and warned that the agency would continue to target drug trafficking organisations operating in the country.

He also alleged that some drug cartels had begun recruiting foreign specialists from South America to establish methamphetamine production facilities in Nigeria.

The NDLEA chairman commended the agency’s Special Operations Unit and forensic teams for their role in the operation and urged Nigerians to report suspicious activities in their communities.

“We are fully aware of the shifting tactics of these cartels, including the disturbing trend of hiring South American cartel specialists to set up production factories in our rural communities. Let it be known that no matter how deep into the bush you hide, no matter how secure your gated estate is, the NDLEA will hunt you down, disrupt your networks, and seize your ill-gotten wealth”, Marwa warned.



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One killed, two injured as suspected bandits attack Kano community

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One person was killed and two others injured after suspected bandits attacked Makoda town in Makoda Local Government Area of Kano State.

The incident was revealed in a post shared on X on Friday by security analyst Bakatsine.

According to him, the attack occurred on Thursday night when more than 30 armed men riding motorcycles invaded the community and opened fire repeatedly, sending residents fleeing for safety.

Bakatsine said the assailants killed one person, injured two others, and escaped with an undisclosed amount of money.

He said residents described the attackers as heavily armed and noted that the incident left the community in fear before the gunmen fled.

“Last night, suspected bandits launched an attack on Makoda town, Makoda LGA in Kano State, killing one person, injuring two others and reportedly fleeing with an undisclosed amount of cash.

“Residents said more than 30 heavily armed men arrived on motorcycles, opened fire indiscriminately and left the community in panic before escaping. If armed groups can now strike communities in Kano with such ease, what does that say about the country’s ability to prevent insecurity from spreading even further?,” Bakatsine wrote.



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Fake police officer arrested after invading Bauchi female students’ lodge

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The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested a 22-year-old man, Ahmed Saleh, for allegedly impersonating a police officer and unlawfully gaining entry into a female students’ lodge at Malikiyya College of Health, Old GRA, Bauchi.

The suspect, a resident of Kobi Area, Bauchi, is also accused of attempted rape and theft.

The incident, according to a statement by the command’s spokesperson, SP Nafiu Habib, occurred in the early hours of Friday.

The statement said the police received a distress call from the college at about 6:30 am, reporting that a man allegedly dressed in full police camouflage uniform had gained entry into the female students’ lodge at about 2:30 am.

The suspect reportedly claimed to be attached to Garu Security Service, Bauchi.

Following the report, the Divisional Police Officer in charge of ‘B’ Division led detectives and patrol operatives to the scene, where Saleh was arrested.

The police camouflage uniform allegedly worn by the suspect was recovered as an exhibit.

The command said further investigation also linked the suspect to a series of theft cases reported within the hostel area.

The suspect remains in police custody as investigations continue.

The police said he would be charged in court upon the conclusion of the investigation.

The Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, warned individuals and private security outfits against impersonating security agencies.

He also assured residents, particularly students, of the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property in and around educational institutions across the state.



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BREAKING: Police arrest officers in viral video threatening to slap, detain motorist if he’s Igbo

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The Ondo State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of officers captured in a viral video attempting to extort money from a motorist along Lagos –Benin Expressway.

In the video, one of the officers said he would have slapped and detained the motorist if he was Igbo.

The circulating footage of the incident had sparked widespread anger across the country with several Nigerians calling for the arrest and prosecution of the officers.

Addressing journalists on the incident on Friday, the Ondo State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, said the erring personnel have been identified and arrested.

“The Command wishes to inform the general public that the officers captured in the video have been arrested and identified as AP/No. 207454 ASP Elomore Sodayo, AP/No. 332012 Inspector Adefila Adewale, AP/No. 332449 Inspector Olorunfemi Opeyemi, and AP/No. 332369 Inspector Odusola Peter.

“Consequently, the Commissioner of Police, CP Felix Ohagwu, psc, mnips, mspsp, has ordered a comprehensive investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident and determine the level of culpability of each officer involved,” he said.



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