Iheanachor Arrested For Ingesting 90 Wraps of Cocaine

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a 50-year-old businessman, Osuoha Iheanacho, at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu for ingesting 90 wraps of cocaine.

A press statement on Sunday by the spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi said Osuoha was intercepted last Wednesday at the arrival hall of the Enugu Airport during the inbound screening of passengers arriving from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on an Ethiopian Airlines flight following months of intelligence and surveillance on him.

Babafemi said he was subsequently placed on excretion observation during which he egested 90 pellets of cocaine weighing 2.019 kilogrammes in seven excretions.

He said investigation revealed that the suspect, who operates phone and accessories business in Lagos and Gabon, travelled by road from Gabon to Douala, Cameroon from where he took a flight to Addis Ababa where he swallowed the pellets of cocaine while in transit and thereafter continued his journey to Enugu with Lagos as his final destination.

He was said to have deliberately complicated his movement to distort traces of his travel history unknown to him that he has been on NDLEA watch-list for the past three months.

In his statement, Osuoha was said to have confessed that he desperately needed the money from the criminal drug trade to boost his declining phone and accessories business.

In another well-coordinated operation carried out by a Special Operations Unit of the agency last Thursday, head of a cocaine distribution cartel, 42-year-old Ndive Obinna was arrested along with five of his associates at Ago Palace Way in Okota, Isolo, Lagos with a total of 2.412 kilogrammes of cocaine recovered from them.

Babafemi noted that other members of the drug trafficking organisation arrested along Obinna include: Okeke Ifeoma who is the syndicate’s stash keeper; Ikechebelu Chibuzor; Okorie Onyedikachi; Okonkwo Nnabugo; and Okafor Anita.

In a related development, another drug syndicate operated by a Chinese man, 58-year-old Tianzhen Yen (alias Jackie) has been dismantled by NDLEA operatives following his arrest at his hotel in Ikeja area of Lagos. Officers of the Seme Special Area Command of the agency had last Thursday intercepted a 40-year-old suspect, Yakubu Mark in a commercial bus going to Ghana at the Gbaji checkpoint along Badagry-Seme Expressway based on credible intelligence.

Babafemi said when he was searched, a total of 750 grammes of cocaine were found in his bag. A swift follow up operation was organised to trace and arrest the kingpin behind the trans-border drug trafficking syndicate, who turned out to be a Chinese citizen, Tianzhen Yen.

He was eventually traced to MC Hotel behind Alade market, Allen Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos. When his hotel room was searched, 4.3 grammes of cocaine; a gramme of methamphetamine; two electronic weighing scales; and Chinese National Identification Number Card, among other exhibits were recovered while he was arrested in the vicinity of the hotel.

At the Tincan seaport in Lagos, NDLEA operatives last Friday intercepted 92 parcels of Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis with a combined weight of 23.25 kilogrammes concealed in two vehicles imported from Canada: a Nissan car and a GMC bus. The discovery was made during a joint examination of a container from Canada by NDLEA officers, men of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and other stakeholders.

In Rivers state, NDLEA operatives at the Port Harcourt Ports complex, Onne last Thursday intercepted two containers of imported opioids during a joint examination with men of Customs Service and other security agencies.

He said a total of 168,000 bottles of codeine based syrup worth about N1.2 billion in street value were recovered from one of the containers while the second one contained 4.5 million pills of super royal tramadol 225mg valued at about N3.2 billion bringing the combined value of both the codeine and tramadol consignments to over N4.3 billion.

In Ekiti state, NDLEA operatives on Sunday 17th November arrested a 50-year-old physically challenged woman, Mustapha Boja, with 286 grammes of Colorado and Loud strains of cannabis at Araromi street, Ikere-Ekiti, while 64 kilogrammes of cannabis sativa recovered at Akinyele motor park, Ibadan, Oyo state last Thursday.

Not less than 1,200.5 kilogrammes of same psychoactive substance were seized during raids by NDLEA officers in parts of Edo state. At Utese forest in Ovia North East local government area, 463.5 kilogrammes was recovered last Thursday; while 507 kilogrammes was seized at a compound in Owan village, Ovia local government area where the duo of David Ederin, 60, and Afoje Frank, 24, were arrested on Friday 22nd November. Another suspect, Godwin Okhoya, 40, was nabbed with 230 kilogrammes of same substance at Okpuje, Owan West local government area.

In Kano, four suspects: Usman Sani, 25; Abdul Mohammed, 28; Bunu Ali, 27; and Umar Musa, 30, were last Tuesday arrested by NDLEA operatives at Gadar Tamburawa, Zaria- Kano road, with 100 blocks of cannabis weighing 45 kilogrammes while Ayuba Zaranda, 55, was nabbed with 124 kilogrammes cannabis at Pengana village, Toro local government area, Bauchi state.

Babafemi said with the same vigour, commands and formations of the agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, sensitisation activities to schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others in the past week.

Meanwhile, while commending the officers and men of AIIA, SIU,Tincan, Onne, Seme, Ekiti, Oyo, Kano, Bauchi, and Edo commands of the agency for the arrests and seizures, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd) stated that their operational successes and those of their compatriots across the country especially their balanced approach to drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts are well appreciated.

 

 

 Isheri Olofin: Who Is Afraid of the Oba-elect?

By Lanre Olaleye

Isheri-Olofin, an ancient Awori town tucked in the centre of modern civilization in Egbe Idimu Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State is currently troubled following the demise of Oba Ayinde Wahab Balogun at the ripe age of 95 years.

For almost two years after the passage of the nonagenarian monarch on February 8^th 2022, the town has been without a king with controversy trailing the selection of a new king as candidates are locked in fierce battle for the throne.

Though, Isheri Olofin has had its own fair share of tussles among princes to the throne like other Awori towns and communities but that of Isheri stool seems more intensed. The Onisheri of Isheri stool carries a more influential toga as the monarch by custom and tradition of the ancient town is the major land owner. “The king exercise authority far above everything including land. Hence, who so ever becomes king exercise absolute authority and control on all lands in Isheri. And this is why the battle for the throne has become fierce among the candidates,” a source confided in The Snoop during a recent visit to the town.

Poignantly, such absolute authority played out during the reign of the late Oba Balogun when he became the only land owner in Isheri as no family exercise ownership of any land in the town. In the process, Oba Balogun became more influential and wealthy, profiting mostly from the sale of land across the length and breadth of the town, 

The sale of land soon became a legacy for the Balogun Family as his first son, Prince Idris Balogun a.k.a Oluomo Kafata successfully rode on his father’s influence to annex acres of lands in the community. With his deep pocket, he became a fearsome terror, terrorizing the community with thugs and miscreants recruited to do his biddings. However, the untimely demise of his father meant Oluomo is about to lose his influence with a new king ascending the throne.

But the fiery prince has chosen to dine with the devil by seeking to influence his own choice, Prince Hakeem Akanji Ogundeyi as the new king as against the choice of the Kingmakers who had selected Prince Ibrahim Olasunkanmi Lawal-Bello from the Olanwa Ruling House as the Oba-elect of Ishreri-Olofin town.

Indeed, the emergence of Prince Lawal-Bello followed a rigorous selection process instituted by the Kingmakers in accordance with the guidelines of the Chieftaincy Law of Lagos State. As custom demands, the Ifa Oracle was consulted and Prince Lawal-Bello was most favoured among the contestants. He beat four other contestants which include Prince Hakeem Akanji Ogundeyi, Prince Atobatele Adebowale Ojunnu, Prince Sulaiman Raji Adebiyi and Prince Lukman Jaiyeola Adebiyi. Nine Kingmakers took part in the election out of which five voted in his favour, three others voted for Ogundeyi while one voted for another candidate.  

 

But the emergence of the Oba-elect did not go down well with the embattled Oluomo  who allegedly plotted schemes to thwart the installation of the new king. He in connivance with the Regeant of the town and his brother, Chief Biliaminu Kolawole Balogun made a counter announcement of Prince Hakeem Ogundeyi as the new king much to the chagrin of the entire community.

But Kingmakers rejected the subterfuge imposition by denouncing Ogundeyi’s choice through a letter addressed to the Executive Chairman of Egbe/Idimu Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Hon.Kunle Sanyaolu Olowoopejo stating emphatically that Prince Ibrahim Olasunkanmi Lawal-Bello remain the authentic Oba-elect.

The development prompted the council boss to send out circular for fresh election to be conducted among the Kingmakers at the council secretariat on December 13^th 2023 to choose the new king. However, a day before the election, it was reportedly cancelled indefinitely due to ‘security report’. Sources say the council chairman reportedly bowed to pressure from powerful forces as Prince Lawal-Bello was certain to gain the Kingmakers approval if the election was to hold again.

After much persuasion from prominent indigenes and critical stakeholders across the state, Hon. Olowoopejo eventually bowed to good reasoning by forwarding a letter recognizing Prince Lawal-Bello as the Oba-elect to the Ministry of Local Government Administration, Chieftaincy Matters and Rural Development for further action. This came as a rude shock as Prince Ogundeyi backed by the late Oba’s son, Idris Balogun headed to the court to stop Prince Olasunkanmi Ibrahim Lawal-Bello from being installed as the new monarch of Isheri-Olofin Kingdom.

 The current litigation over the royal stool has, therefore, negatively impacted on the socio-economy of the town as both indigenes and non-indigenes have become restive as hired thugs continue to unleash terror on those opposed to the choice of Prince Ogundeyi. Many have been arrested and detained by the police while opponents have been forced to flee the town for fear of being attacked by hired thugs.

However, some residents spoken to by our correspondent during a recent visit to the town, however, remained calm and hopeful that truth will eventually prevail over falsehood. “We have chosen to remain patient and calm if that is the prize we have to pay for freedom from slavery. Prince Lawal-Bello is our new king; the Oracle said so and we all want him. We are prepared to wait for him to be pronounced as the rightful king of Isheri-Olofin Kingdom,” says Muftau Obanibashiri, a carpenter in the town.

Other residents, however, appealed to the state Governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwoolu  to show keen interest in the selection of a new king to maintain peace and bring development to the town.

 

  Finnish Court Detains Biafan Warlord, Simon Ekpa

Simon Ekpa, a Finnish-Nigerian municipal politician, has been detained by the Päijät-Häme District Court on probable cause for incitement to commit crimes with terrorist intent. The alleged offense occurred in Lahti on 23 August, 2021.

The Finnish National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is also seeking the detention of four additional men on terrorism-related charges.

Ekpa, who has represented Finland's National Coalition Party (NCP) in local roles, currently serves on Lahti's public transport committee. He is also known for leading a separatist group in Nigeria advocating for the establishment of an independent Biafran state in the country's southeast.

According to the NBI, Ekpa is suspected of using his leadership position in a Nigerian separatist group to promote actions that have led to violence against civilians and authorities in south eastern Nigeria. These efforts are believed to have been coordinated from Finland, including through Ekpa's social media channels.

"This activity has been carried out, among other means, via social media channels," said Detective Chief Inspector Otto Hiltunen in a statement.

The NBI stated that its investigation focuses on a Finnish citizen of Nigerian descent, born in the 1980s, suspected of publicly inciting crimes with terrorist intent. The police also suspect four other individuals of financing terrorism. All five were apprehended earlier this week.

Among the suspects, Ekpa resides in the Lahti region, while two others have addresses in Helsinki. One suspect has no registered address in Finland.

History of controversy

Ekpa has previously been implicated in criminal activities. In 2023, Finnish police detained him on suspicion of fundraising fraud but released him later the same evening.

Ekpa's separatist activism has drawn global attention, particularly his calls to boycott Nigerian elections.

"No elections will be held! Nigerian elections will not be allowed in Biafran territory in 2023," he declared in a video on social media.

Ekpa has also publicly justified the use of violence.

"I support violence against Nigerian government forces. This is self-defence. They constantly attack us and have committed numerous war crimes. We have no choice but to defend ourselves," he stated.

Party responds

​​NCP Secretary Timo Elo declined to comment on Ekpa's possible membership of the party.

"We never say who is and who isn't our member. That is confidential information," Elo told Yle.

Elo did however say that if a member of the party was suspected of terrorism offences, that would likely lead to their expulsion.

According to Elo, Ekpa's role on the public transport commission, for example, should be assessed locally.

 

2027: I Am Qualified, Ex-Lagos Governors Not Better Than Me - Obasa

Obasa clarified that his primary goal was to help advance the APC through the Mandate group, emphasising that his ambition to become governor was secondary.

The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa has stated that he's qualified to be Governor of Lagos state.

This is as he attacked those claiming that he's not qualified to become the Governor of Lagos State.

Speaking after Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu presented his ₦3 trillion budget proposal for the 2025 fiscal year, Obasa addressed allegations from political opponents who had misconstrued his efforts to promote the All Progressives Congress (APC) as part of a personal agenda to run for the governorship in 2027.

Obasa clarified that his primary goal was to help advance the APC through the Mandate Group, emphasising that his ambition to become governor was secondary.

However, he reaffirmed that he was fully qualified for the position.

“May I use this medium to sensitise us more on the need to build and sustain our party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), regarding our focus for 2027. We need to continue to mobilise people just as I do frequently,” Obasa said.

He continued, “I have made it a personal task to mobilise people on the platform of Mandate, which has been misconstrued by some political detractors as being a selfish aspiration on the ground for me to become governor of the state. There is the need, however, to correct this wrong impression. My concern is about building our party, and whatever we do is mainly for this cause.”

Addressing his critics directly, Obasa stated, “To the blackmailers who have embarked on the mission to distort and redefine our mission, let me state it unequivocally here, our intention is to promote our party on the platform of Mandate.”

He added, “Also, becoming governor is secondary; it is something that I have not given serious consideration. Nevertheless, that does not mean I am too young or lack experience to run; whereas, those who have been before me are not better off.”

Obasa also took the opportunity to counter claims from critics who had suggested that he sought to validate his candidacy by paying for a blood relation in Ojo.

 

“Of course, I have never denied the fact that I am OBASA,” he said. “But rather, I have never claimed to be related to Onikoyi, Oniru, or any of the other popular Lagos families as the case may be. I can indeed never run from the fact that I am related to my Obasa family in Ojo. But I do not need local validity to contest or run. If eventually I am contesting, I will do so from Agege!”

The Speaker further emphasised that, under democracy, the legislative arm of government must remain independent.

“This House, of course, recognises this and will always be so, even though we work hand-in-hand with other arms of government. It is also important to state here that this House is a sanctuary and temple, just like every other temple anywhere where we all worship.”

Obasa warned, “No one will violate any temple and expect the gods to accept his or her sacrifice. And if such happens, there must be an appease to the gods to accept such atonement. No amount of intimidation or coercion will disintegrate or change the belief of all the members of this institution!”

He assured Governor Sanwo-Olu that the House would carefully scrutinise the budget, as is customary, but also made it clear that the legislature would remain resolute in its role. “We will never be disgraced, abused or ridiculed in the name of creating a seamless working ambiance.”

Obasa concluded with a proverb, saying, “Let me also emphasise that those who live in glass houses must not throw stones as the saying goes. This also brings to my mind, according to our people: eni ba yara logun ngbe. Meaning, the god of iron recognises the swift ones. In other words, those who are facilitating or planning to interfere in this House or destroy the cohesion of this institution should also be prepared for the same fate.”

 

 

Simon Ekpa  Arrested In Finland 

Self-acclaime9d Prime Minister of Biafra Government in exile, Mr Simon Ekpa and four others, have been arrested by Finnish government over terror-related activities. 

“International cooperation has been carried out during the preliminary investigation,” the statement added

Finnish-Nigerian separatist agitator, Simon Ekpa and four other individuals have been arrested in Finland over terror-related activities.

In a Thursday statement published on its website, the Central Criminal Police in Finland said it arrested five persons on suspicion of terrorist crimes

The police said the main suspect was arrested “on suspicion of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent”, while four others were arrested “for financing a terrorist crime

The police added: “Claims will be heard in Päijät-Häme district court today, November 21.”

The statement reads, “The detention demands are related to the preliminary investigation, in which a Finnish citizen of Nigerian background, born in the 1980s, is suspected of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent.

The statement quoted the head of the investigation, Crime Commissioner Otto Hiltunen from the Central Crime Police as saying that “the man has carried out this activity, among other things, on his social media channels”.

“Four other persons are suspected of financing the aforementioned activity. All five suspects of the crime have been arrested during the beginning of the week.