Crime
NOTORIOUS BANDIT LEADER RELEASES 40 CAPTIVES IN KATSINA, WARNS OF PEACE PROCESS COLLAPSE OVER SECURITY OPERATION
Isya Kwashen Garwa, a notorious bandits’ leader, has released 40 additional captives in Katsina State’s Faskari Local Government Area. Officials present at the handover confirmed the release, which is part of an ongoing peace dialogue with local authorities.
This latest release follows the earlier freeing of 30 individuals on Wednesday. Garwa stated that two individuals had been released prior to this recent group and were not included in the count of 40. With the new releases, the total number of freed captives now stands at 72.
Garwa emphasized that the releases were in fulfillment of commitments made during a peace pact meeting held in Faskari. He stated that his group was not forced or threatened into the decision. “You have seen that these people were released because of the promises we made during the peace pact meeting in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State. You can see them, there are 40 of them. Two people were released earlier and are not part of this group of 40. On Wednesday we released 30 people. Altogether, they number 72,” Garwa said. “They were released because of the peace deal meeting. We were neither threatened nor overpowered before we released them, we released them because of the promises we made. They are not all in one location. I was instructed to go into the bush to ensure all kidnapped victims were released, and I am still trying to gather everyone who was kidnapped.”
Despite the releases, Garwa voiced serious concerns about a security operation he claimed took place in the Ruwan-Godiya area on Friday. He alleged that the operation led to the deaths of members of his group as well as Hausa civilians, including women and children. He also stated that property, including motorcycles, was confiscated.
The bandit leader issued a stark warning that failure by the government to address the alleged killings could lead to a breakdown of the fragile peace process. “While I was going around to secure their release I received a report from Ruwa-Godiya that security operatives went to meet our people and shot them. It was not only our people, Hausa people were affected too. They killed men, women and children, and they also took our property, including motorcycles. This situation suggests that some people among the security operatives do not want us to live in peace,” Garwa said. “If you will act, take decisive action on this matter. If you do not, we will return to our previous fighting, and if things worsen you will tell the world that we violated the promises we made. This incident happened on Friday. Government officials know what I am saying, I am not lying; you know the security operatives did this. Let me tell you: no life is worth more than another. If we want to resolve this peacefully, let us do it in the fear of God.”
The releases are the result of months of ongoing negotiations between various bandit factions and local stakeholders, which are part of broader efforts aimed at curbing kidnappings and improving security in Nigeria’s troubled northwest region.
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.