Crime
EDO STATE GOVERNMENT DEMOLISHES CULT-LINKED PROPERTIES, ARRESTS 15 FOR DRUG OFFENSES
The Edo State Government has begun demolishing properties allegedly connected to cult activities in Uromi, Esan North-East Local Government Area. This action is part of a broader initiative to combat kidnapping, cultism, and other criminal enterprises in the state. The demolition followed a major security raid conducted on November 17, 2025, by the state’s Special Security Squad in collaboration with the Nigerian Army and other agencies.
During the initial operation, 31 suspects were arrested at various hideouts. Leaders of the Black Axe and Eiye confraternities, accused of orchestrating a violent fracas in Uromi on November 16, were issued a seven-day ultimatum to surrender. With the expiration of that ultimatum and no compliance from the suspected cult leaders, the government proceeded to demolish structures where incriminating evidence had been discovered. Officials stated this demonstrates the administration’s commitment to stamping out criminality.
The operation was led by the Principal Security Officer to Governor Monday Okpebholo, supported by the Divisional Police Officer of the Uromi Division, local vigilante groups, the Esan North-East Anti-Kidnapping Committee, and Nigerian Army personnel. Idemudia Noah, coordinator of the security outfit codenamed “Operation Flush Out Kidnapping and Cultism,” explained that the demolition became necessary after the suspects failed to take advantage of both the ultimatum and an additional grace period.
“This demolition exercise should serve as a warning to landlords and property owners in Uromi to properly profile their tenants. These houses were demolished because incriminating evidence was found in them,” Noah said. “These properties will now be taken over by the Edo State Government for use as operational offices.”
Noah emphasized the Okpebholo administration’s dedication to eliminating cultism, kidnapping, and all forms of criminality. “We are serious about this exercise. We want Edo State to be crime-free. No one is above the law,” he added.
In a related operation, the squad acted on credible intelligence to raid the Hausa quarters in Uromi, where 15 persons were arrested after illicit drugs were found in their possession. The suspects have been handed over to the Uromi Divisional Headquarters for profiling and further investigation before transfer to appropriate authorities for prosecution.
Noah linked drug peddling to the influx of criminal elements in the area. “We received information from our colleagues in Uromi on the ongoing illicit drug trade, which promotes nefarious activities. We swung into action and arrested both sellers and buyers,” he said. One of the suspects, a marijuana dealer identified as Tajudeen Lawal, confessed to being involved in the sale of drugs alongside two others at the Hausa quarters.
A Nigerian national, James Junior Aliyu, has been sentenced to 90 months (seven and a half years) in prison in the United States for his involvement in a large-scale wire fraud and money laundering scheme.
According to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Aliyu played a key role in a transnational cybercrime network that targeted business email systems and defrauded individuals and organisations of millions of dollars.
Investigations revealed that the fraud scheme involved hacking into corporate email accounts and using them to divert funds through fraudulent transactions. Authorities said the operation affected multiple victims and formed part of a broader business email compromise (BEC) conspiracy.
Aliyu was arrested in South Africa in 2022 following an international investigation involving Interpol and local law enforcement before being extradited to the United States to face trial.
The 30-year-old later pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering. As part of the sentence, the court ordered him to forfeit $1.2 million and pay $2.4 million in restitution to victims.
Authorities also confirmed that Aliyu will be deported after completing his prison term.
Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have arrested a suspected gunrunner, Kelvin Ebikeniye Dugo, in Cross River State, intercepting a cache of 850 rounds of live ammunition.
The arrest, which took place on March 16 at Ivara Esu Estate in Odukpani Local Government Area, followed credible intelligence on the suspect’s alleged plan to acquire the ammunition.
Security sources said Dugo was apprehended shortly after receiving the consignment, which had been concealed inside food items. The ammunition was reportedly supplied by another suspected gunrunner, Azenda Barnabas, also known as Jagaban, based in Aliade, Benue State.
Items recovered during the operation included 850 rounds of live ammunition and two empty AK-47 magazines.
The sources noted that the DSS has stepped up operations nationwide in a bid to dismantle gunrunning networks and curb the proliferation of illegal arms.
They added that the latest arrest underscores the agency’s ongoing commitment to tracking down and prosecuting individuals involved in arms trafficking across the country.
Crime
NDLEA Arrests 74-Year-Old Man with 11kg Cocaine at Abuja Airport, Seizes Large Drug Consignments in Nationwide Raids
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 74-year-old man, Ikwuakalom Emeka, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja after officers discovered a large consignment of cocaine concealed in his luggage.
NDLEA operatives intercepted the suspect at the departure hall while he was attempting to board a British Airways flight to London, United Kingdom for what he claimed was a vacation.
According to NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, a search of the suspect’s luggage uncovered 11 kilograms of cocaine hidden inside food items such as ground dry pepper. The drugs were carefully wrapped in foil papers and balloons to evade detection.
Lagos Island Drug Raids
In a separate operation in Lagos, NDLEA operatives acting on credible intelligence arrested Maryam Olalowo at Ikad Hotel and Suites while she allegedly attempted to sell 89 grams of cocaine and 20 grams of Canadian Loud, a strain of cannabis.
She was reportedly with her three children, including an infant, at the time of the arrest. During interrogation, she said the drugs belonged to her husband, Ibrahim Olalowo Olatunji, who was later arrested the same day.
Investigations revealed that Olatunji had previously been arrested, convicted and sentenced to two and a half years imprisonment in 2015 for a similar offence.
Codeine and Tramadol Interceptions
NDLEA operatives also arrested Kalilou Simpara and Saidu Ibrahim at Ebetu Ero, where 68,000 pills of tramadol were recovered from a truck that was being prepared for transportation to Benin Republic.
A follow-up operation at Idumota Market led to the arrest of the alleged owner of the consignment, Nnamdi Cyprian. NDLEA officers also recovered a parcel containing 1,000 tablets of tramadol (250mg) that had already been prepared for waybill delivery.
In another raid at the same market on March 13, operatives arrested Nwanosike Kelvin and recovered 47,500 ampoules of pentazocine injection from his shop.
Other Arrests Across Nigeria
In Kano, NDLEA officers arrested Magaji Dan Azumi, 42, in the Bebeji area with 386 kilograms of skunk.
Similarly, operatives in Gwagwalada recovered 282.2 kilograms of skunk from a suspect identified as Isah Wako.
In Edo State, NDLEA said its operatives raided the Egwa Forest Reserve in Aduan village, where Chinedo Odalonu was arrested. Officers also destroyed large cannabis farms in the forest and recovered 16.5 kilograms of skunk from the site.
The NDLEA said the operations form part of its ongoing nationwide crackdown on drug trafficking and abuse.