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Court convicts 11 Indian sailors, orders $6m penalty over cocaine smuggling

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A Federal High Court in Lagos has convicted 11 Indian sailors and their vessel, MV Aruna Hulya, over the importation of 31.5 kilograms of cocaine into Nigeria, imposing fines and restitution amounting to nearly $6 million.

The vessel and its crew were arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) after the illicit consignment was discovered during a routine inspection at Apapa Port in January 2026.

The ship had arrived from the Marshall Islands when the cocaine was found concealed inside one of its cargo compartments.

Delivering judgment, Justice Joseph Aneke upheld a plea bargain agreement reached between the prosecution and the defence, convicting all defendants under the NDLEA Act.

The court ordered each of the 11 crew members to pay a fine of N100,000, while the vessel was directed to pay $5.3 million in restitution to the Federal Government.

Three principal officers aboard the ship were further ordered to pay $100,000 each, while the remaining crew members were directed to pay $50,000 each as restitution.

Reacting to the judgment, NDLEA Chairman, Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), described the ruling as a strong warning to international drug trafficking networks, stressing that Nigeria would no longer serve as a transit route for narcotics.

Marwa said the conviction reflects the agency’s growing success in intelligence-driven operations and reaffirmed its commitment to intercepting illicit drugs at the nation’s air, land and sea entry points.



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Troops arrest suspected kidnappers, recover AK-47 rifles in Borno

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Troops of Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI have arrested suspected kidnappers and recovered AK-47 rifles and ammunition in Borno.

In a statement on its platform on Friday (Whatsapp), it said troops while acting on credible intelligence, conducted a well-coordinated operation along a known criminal corridor in Magumeri, leading to the arrest of 5 suspected members of a kidnapping syndicate responsible for terrorising innocent civilians within the area.

The troops also recovered two AK-47 rifles, magazines and ammunition, adding that following investigations, the suspects were linked to kidnapping and other criminal activities in Borno State.

The arrested individuals are currently in custody and are assisting security agencies with further investigations aimed at apprehending other members of the syndicate and dismantling their support networks.



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Fire guts shops, offices in Kano

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A fire outbreak has destroyed shops and office spaces along Murtala Mohammed Way, near FCMB Bank in Fagge Local Government Area of Kano State, leaving several properties damaged.

This was contained in a statement signed by ACFO Saminu Yusif Abdullahi, Public Relations Officer, Kano State Fire Service on Friday. 

According to the statement,  the incident occurred on Thursday night around 10:54 p.m.

The service said its Emergency Response Unit received a distress call from one of its staff, HFS Ibrahim Sabo, who reported the fire outbreak.

Firefighters from the headquarters and other stations were immediately deployed to the scene to contain the blaze.

“On arrival, they found a one-storey building and an adjoining open commercial area measuring about 300 by 200 feet already engulfed in flames.

The fire was said to have started from the salvage yard, also known as Takumbo Market, before spreading to nearby buildings.

“The fire started from the salvage yard area and later spread to the upper floor of the Kanawa Building,” the Fire Service said.

According to the statement, the fire destroyed two offices, two parlours, two toilets and one kitchen in the Kanawa Building.

“It also affected two shops on the ground floor of TUSRAYS Nigeria Limited.”

The Fire Service said preliminary findings suggest that the fire was caused by an electrical spark.

Director of the Kano State Fire Service, Alhaji Sani Anas, advised residents to take safety precautions to prevent similar incidents.

He also urged the public to quickly report any fire outbreak to the nearest fire station to enable rapid response and reduce damage.



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Two robbery suspects on police wanted list arrested in Adamawa

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Two men said to have been on police wanted list as suspected armed robbers in Adamawa State have been arrested.

The state Police Command said Friday that the suspects were rounded up by operatives who swung into action under Operation Sanity Mubi in Mubi town.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Suleiman Nguroje who made the disclosures, gave the names of the suspects as Abdulhamid Salihu and Bello Yahaya.

Nguroje said the two were arrested after a robbery incident that occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, June 10, at the Unguwar Kara part of Mubi.

The suspects, with two accomplices currently at large, allegedly attacked one Mustapha Ali, inflicted injuries on him, and dispossessed him of cash and other valuable assets.

“Through sustained intelligence-led operations, police operatives attached to Mubi South and Mubi North LGAs tracked and apprehended the suspects and recovered stolen mobile phones, jewelry, handbags, travelling bags, and the weapons allegedly used in committing the crime,” Nguroje stated.

He assured that as investigation continues, efforts are being intensified to arrest the fleeing suspects.



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