Crime

NDLEA destroys eight hectares of cannabis farms in Edo

Published

1 year ago

July 28, 2023

NDLEA destroys eight hectares of cannabis farms in Edo

The Edo Command of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), on Friday, destroyed eight hectares of cannabis sativa farms in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the farms are located in Upokhoten forest, Uzzebba village in Owan West Local Government Area of the state.

Operatives of the command were led on a three-hour journey to the farms where the plantations were cut and set ablaze.

Briefing newsmen after the operation, Mr Ondotimi Bebetu, the command’s Assistant Commander in charge of Operations, said the destruction followed intelligence-led surveillance, leading to an arrest of three suspects two weeks ago.

Bebetu, who is also the spokesperson for the command, said the two farms were equal to more than 17 tons of cannabis sativa and worth millions of naira.

“This destruction is taking place via a follow-up activity where some suspects have been arrested two weeks ago.

“There are two farms that have been destroyed here today. The first farm measured 6.28 hectares of space. When you convert it to tons, it equals 15.69 tons.

“The second farm in the same proximity measuring 0.68 hectares, is equal to 1.7 tons. When you sum up the two together, you arrive at 17.4 tons of cannabis destroyed right now.

“Unfortunately this land ought to have been used for the cultivation of food crops

“We are using this opportunity to tell the public to give information on how and where to get to these farmlands.

“It is them, their youths and the families that are exposed to the health risk of the cannabis production which they consume every day,” he said.

The NDLEA boss noted that the arrested suspects would be handed over to the legal unit after a discreet investigation into the matter is concluded.

The unit, he said, would advise whether to prosecute them or otherwise.

“The real owners are big-time barons. We hardly can really get them. They bring these boys to the farm to establish the farms.

“Sometimes, they are abroad, but they just keep monitoring. Even if they mention their names, it is fake. Sometimes, we get them through our surveillance intelligence and bring them to book,” said the assistant commander.

Also speaking, Mr James Olarewaju, Assistant Commander of Narcotics, Intelligence, said credible intelligence led to the action taken at the farm.

Olarewaju expressed dismay that Edo is a spotlight for cannabis plantations and it had become a year-round farming in the axis.

He said the command was determined to cut the supply chain of the substance through farm destruction as against burning wasting time looking for those selling.

One of the suspects arrested on the farm, Monday Nduul, from Benue, said he was a “job man” brought into the farm to help in weeding.

He said he had no foreknowledge that he was coming to a cannabis farm.

(NAN)

NDLEA destroys eight hectares of cannabis farms in Edo

Crime

Court remands man for allegedly causing death of his unborn child

Published

1 day ago

November 28, 2024

Saadatu Sahabo

An Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court sitting in Ibadan on Thursday ordered the remand of a 52-year-old man, Taiwo Olaniyan, in Agodi correctional facility for allegedly causing the death of his unborn child.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Olabisi Ogunkanmi, who did not take the defendant’s plea for lack of jurisdiction, ordered his remand in Agodi correctional facility, Ibadan.

Ogunkanmi held that the defendant would remain in custody pending receipt of advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP).

She, thereafter, adjourned the matter till Dec. 12 for mention.

Earlier, the Prosecutor, Cpl. Akeem Akinloye, had arraigned the defendant, who resides at Apata area of Ibadan, on a three-count charge bordering on assault and causing death of an unborn child.

Akinloye told the court that the defendant had, on May 2018, assaulted his wife, Rukayat Babajide, by inflicting injury on her.

He said that the defendant caused the death of the foetus due to his assault on his wife during pregnancy.

The prosecutor said that the couple had been married for 14 years, with two children.

According to him, the offences contravene Section 316 and punishable under Sections 319, 328 and 355 of the Criminal Code Laws of Oyo State, 2000.

NAN reports that if found guilty of the charges, the defendant maybe sentenced to three years imprisonment under section 355, while section 328 stipulates life imprisonment and section 319 death sentence for any convicted offender.

Crime

Driver in court for allegedly stealing charcoal worth N730, 000

Published

1 day ago

November 28, 2024

Saadatu Sahabo

A 38-year-old driver, Farouq Babanle, was arraigned on Thursday before a Kaduna Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing charcoal worth N730, 000.

The defendant, whose address was not provided, is facing two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.

The prosecutor, Insp. Chidi Leo told the court that the defendant committed the offence on Nov 12, at Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

According to Leo, the defendant was given charcoal worth N730, 000 to transport from Kachia to customers in Kawo Kaduna.

The prosecutor stated that the defendant stole the charcoal, sold it and diverted the proceeds to his personal use.

He added that after stealing the charcoal, the defendant ran to an unknown destination until he was seen and arrested on Nov. 20, at Rigasa Kaduna.

He said the offence contravened the Penal Code of Kaduna State, 2017.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The Magistrate, Ibrahim Emmanuel, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N200, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

Emmanuel said that the sureties must be gainfully employed and must furnish the court with proof of tax payment to the Kaduna State Government.

He adjourned the case until Dec. 19, for hearing.

Crime

Navy arrests 3 suspected drug dealers, impounds illicit drugs worth N500m in Akwa Ibom

Published

1 day ago

November 28, 2024

Saadatu Sahabo

Nigerian Navy Board elevates 25 Captains, 30 Commodores

The Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base (FOB), Ibaka, Akwa Ibom, has arrested three suspected drug dealers and impounded illicit drugs worth N500m.

The Commanding Officer of the Base, Capt. Uche Aneke disclosed this on Thursday while handing over the contraband drugs and industrial chemicals to National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and Nigeria Customs Service.

Aneke said the suspects were arrested in a boat on Monday at about 11:50 am during a routine patrol around the Bendero and Uta Uyata general area.

“The boat was laden with over 125 sacks of industrial chemicals (crystalline ammonia) and 62 cartons of different brands of contraband drugs.

“These included 820 tubes of Pethidine (containing opium) and 24,800 bottles of Codeine syrup, en route to Nigeria from the Republic of Cameroon with the intention of smuggling the controlled substances into Nigeria,” Aneke said.

He warned individuals or groups planning to engage in any form of criminality in Nigerian waters to desist or face the consequences.

Aneke said that under the current leadership of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, the FOB Ibaka remained resolute in ensuring that maritime crimes are effectively eradicated in the coastal areas of Akwa Ibom.

Receiving the suspects and contraband drugs, Mr Monday Jatau, the Deputy State Commander in charge of Operations and Training of the NDLEA in Akwa Ibom, said the agency would prosecute the suspects after further investigation.

Also receiving the industrial chemicals on behalf of NCS, Mr Abdulkadir Abubakar, a Deputy Superintendent, commended the Nigerian Navy for their sustained support in the fight against criminals.