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Wanted drug baron arrested in village mansion as NDLEA recovers meth, precursors, guns

… Raids Imo, Port Harcourt operational bases, nabs associate

A major drug cartel behind the production and distribution of deadly psychoactive substance, methamphetamine, popularly called ‘mkpuru mmiri’ has been taken down by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, following the arrest of the leader of the syndicate, 42-year-old Joachin Chikaodi Mbonu and his associate in his mansion tucked in his Umuomi village, Uzogba-Ezenomi autonomous community, Ikeduru local government area of Imo State.

NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi in a statement said the cartel with operational bases in Imo and Rivers state became a target of the Agency following intelligence indicating it is responsible for the distribution of substantial quantity of methamphetamine in South East, South South and other parts of the country.

After weeks of surveillance, officers of a special operations unit of the Agency on Friday 5th July 2024, tracked and traced the drug lord to his village mansion in Imo state where he was caught with a member of his cartel, Kenneth Chibuike Ofoegbu, 34, with different quantities of methamphetamine, its precursor chemicals, a pump action gun and cartridges recovered.

Exhibits recovered from the house include: 419.99 grams of methamphetamine; 750 grams of iodine, a precursor chemical for meth; 500 grams of sodium bicarbonate, a precursor chemical for meth; two electronic weighing scales and a pump action gun with four cartridges.

The operatives moved swiftly to another of Mbonu’s hideout located at 11 Redemption Avenue, Port Harcourt, Rivers state where they recovered additional exhibits: 750 grams of processed sodium bicarbonate; 170 grams of plain sodium bicarbonate and 75 grams of meth.

Another raid in the home of one of Mbonu’s associates, Odoemenam Pedro Chinedu, currently at large, at Njaba LGA, Imo state, led to the recovery of another pump action gun with 25 cartridges, among other items. While the kingpin cools his heels in custody, two of his mansions in Imo state have been marked for possible forfeiture to the federal government.

Mbonu had escaped from South Africa where he lived for years and mastered the art of cooking methamphetamine after he came under investigation for drug dealings. Upon his return to Nigeria, he continued the criminal trade by setting up clandestine laboratories in remote villages to shield his nefarious activities.

Reacting to the successful taking down of the meth syndicate, Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) commended the officers and men involved in the multi-pronged operation, while he stated that the manner the interdiction was carried out should send a strong signal to other cartels that there’s no hiding place for them in any part of the country.

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Four arrested as police uncover N500m Canadian-Australian visa scam

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested four individuals in connection with a visa scam that defrauded over 100 Nigerians of approximately ₦500 million.

The suspects, identified as Blessing Wefsutu (27), Chineye Christian (36), Archibong Udeme Ifereke (23), and Maurine Peter (25), were apprehended by operatives of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID). All four are reportedly staff members of an educational consultancy firm located in the Ago Okota area of Lagos, where the fraudulent activities were allegedly carried out.

According to a statement released by the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, the suspects deceived their victims with false promises of securing work visas to Canada and Australia.

The case, initially lodged at the Ago Okota Division, was later transferred to the SCID for deeper investigation. “Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects fraudulently obtained ₦500 million from over 100 unsuspecting victims,” Hundeyin stated.

Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, advised the public to exercise caution when dealing with travel and recruitment agencies. “Residents must exercise due diligence to avoid falling victim to such scams. The Command remains committed to pursuing justice and protecting residents from fraudsters and other criminal elements,” Jimoh said.

Further investigations uncovered that the syndicate includes other accomplices who are currently on the run. The police have assured the public that efforts are underway to locate and arrest all individuals involved.

The arrested suspects are currently in custody as the investigation continues.

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Nigerian Air Force to acquire 49 new aircraft by 2026

The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has announced plans for a major expansion of the Nigerian Air Force’s aerial fleet, with the acquisition of 49 state-of-the-art aircraft scheduled for completion by the end of 2026.Nearby concert tickets

Speaking at the opening of the 2025 Aircraft Engineering Conference held at the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) headquarters in Abuja, Abubakar said the incoming aircraft will include three CASA 295 transport planes, 10 AW-109 Trekker Type B helicopters, 12 AH-1Z attack helicopters, and 24 M-346 fighter jets.

“These aircraft are all high-tech platforms that require very sophisticated maintenance activities to operate effectively,” the Air Marshal stated during his address at the event themed, Enhancing Aircraft Serviceability in the NAF through Strong Maintenance Culture and Strategic Partnerships.

He underscored the need for NAF personnel to adopt advanced, innovative, and data-driven maintenance practices, stressing that the expansion in operational capability must be backed by robust engineering and logistics support systems.Nigerian fashion

“In the last two years, NAF has reached new heights in operational capability. But this progress must be matched by robust support systems to ensure sustained air power delivery in pursuit of national security goals,” Abubakar said.

He added that significant investments have already been made in logistics infrastructure, spare parts, and ground support tools to ensure that all operable aircraft are fully serviceable by the fourth quarter of 2025.

Chief of Aircraft Engineering, Air Vice Marshal A.I. Amodu, also spoke at the event, describing aircraft engineering as “the backbone that supports the NAF’s mission and objectives.”

He said the rapidly evolving security landscape demanded a proactive and responsive approach to aircraft maintenance, and emphasized the importance of the annual conference as a platform for exchanging ideas, refining strategies, and promoting a culture of engineering excellence.

In addition to the planned acquisitions, the NAF has taken delivery of 15 new aircraft in the last two years. These include six T-129 ATAK helicopters, two AW-109 Trekker Type A helicopters, three Beechcraft King Air surveillance aircraft, and four Diamond 62 reconnaissance planes.

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Bandits abduct ward councillor and others in Katsina

Armed bandits have abducted several people, including a ward councillor, Hon. Buhari Aliyu Daudawa, in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State.

Security analyst Bakatsine, who disclosed this on Tuesday, July 15, 2025 said the attack occurred on Monday night in Daudawa community.

According to the conflict journalist, the gunmen kidnapped Buhari Aliyu Daudawa, who serves as the councillor representing Daudawa ward, along with several other residents.

“Yesterday night, bandits invaded Daudawa in Faskari LGA, Katsina State. They abducted several people including the ward Councillor, Hon. Buhari Aliyu Daudawa during the invasion,” Bakatsine wrote.

The exact number of abducted victims is still unknown at the time of filing this report.