The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has arraigned an alleged drug kingpin, Anochili Innocent, three Mexican nationals and six other Nigerians before a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos over the operation of a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory in Mowe Forest, Ogun State.

The defendants face an 11-count charge, including conspiracy, operating a drug trafficking organisation, unlawful production of 2,419.48kg of methamphetamine valued at over N480 billion, and possession of large quantities of precursor chemicals.

The NDLEA arrested the suspects during a coordinated operations in Ogun and Lagos between 16 and 18 May 2026.

The alleged kingpin was arrested at his residence in Lakowe, Lekki, while other members of the syndicate, including the three Mexican nationals, were arrested at the hidden laboratory in Ogun State.

All defendants pleaded not guilty before Justice Musa Kakaki.

The court ordered their remand at the Lagos Correctional Centre and adjourned the case to 16 and 22 July 2026 for trial and hearing of their bail applications.

Reacting to their arrest and arraignment, NDLEA Chairman, Mohamed Marwa, said the case was one of the agency’s biggest breakthroughs against industrial-scale drug manufacturing, warning that Nigeria will not become a base for international drug cartels.

Troops of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI, OPHK, foiled multiple coordinated infiltration attempts by ISWAP terrorists across Borno State in the early hours of Friday.

A statement signed by Captain Mohammed Goni, the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters, Joint Task Force (NORTH East) Operation HADIN KAI, Maiduguri, said that between 0020 hours (12:20 a.m.) and 0230 hours (2:30 a.m.), the terrorists attempted to infiltrate into Muna Garage, Shuwari village, and the Ajilari Cross axis to gain access into the Metropolis.

It said that with early warning mechanisms emplaced, troops swiftly detected the advancing terrorists and engaged them from multiple axes with accurate firepower, decisively frustrating all attempts to infiltrate.

In separate incidents, the statement added that troops also thwarted additional infiltration attempts by the terrorists at Miringa and Dutsen Kura in Buratai.

During the pursuit of the fleeing terrorists at Miringa, the statement said that a Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected, MRAP, vehicle triggered an Improvised Explosive Device, IED, with no casualties recorded on troops. The situation remains stable.

“Overwhelmed by the troops’ speedy tactical manoeuvre, the terrorists were forced to abandon their mission and retreat in confusion across all axes.

“Troops are currently conducting clearance and exploitation operations to pursue the fleeing terrorists, consolidate operational gains, dominate the area, and prevent any further threat to nearby communities,” the statement said.

Operation HADIN KAI said it remains steadfast in sustaining aggressive offensive operations to deny terrorists freedom of action and ensure the protection of lives and property across the North East.

The statement urged members of the public to remain vigilant and continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies in support of ongoing counter-terrorism operations.

Abia State Police Command has said that operatives of its Violent Crime Response Unit, VCRU, arrested three members of a  suspected criminal gang in Ubakala, Umuahia South LGA.

The Command said that the suspects were nabbed on July 6, 2027, after it received actionable intelligence that a suspected criminal gang numbering about 50 had gathered in Ubakala for cult activities.

A statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Maureen Chinaka, on Friday said operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, VCRU, Olokoro, immediately raced to the scene.

The statement said three suspected gang members – Obioma Nmeribe, Emmanuel Lekwechi and Ikemefula ThankGod Amadi, were apprehended by the p8olice.

The police spokesperson listed the exhibits recovered from the arrested suspects to include one Beretta pistol with eight rounds, one locally- made pistol, two live cartridges, one live ammunition, two black berets, a cutlass and one digger.

In a related development, the Abia State Police Command said in collaboration with officers of the joint security team (Operation Crush), apprehended a 31-year-old  suspect, Bright Nnabugu of Umuobasi, Ugwunagbo LGA of Abia State.

According to the Abia State Police Command, the arrest which occurred on July 6, 2026, led to the recovery of a locally made single-barrel long gun, one expended cartridge, and one cutter with high-tension wire.

The Command noted that investigation is ongoing in the two matters and assured the Abia public that the suspects would be charged to court upon conclusion of the investigation.

Speaking on the arrests, the Commissioner of Police, Abia State Command, CP Danladi Isa, advised residents to continue reporting any security concerns to the nearest Police Station or through the Command’s Emergency hotlines.