Expectations of 28-year-old Ogubode Adedamola, a graduate of the Lagos State University (LASU) to join his mates in the April 3rd 2025 Convocation, have been rendered futile following his alleged murder by a Pastor.

Report said the clergy, Evangelist. Whepetoji Babaniyeh had been arrested by the Police.

However, when the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin was contacted, he said he did not know of the arrest.

Adedamola, a 2024 graduate of Political Science Education and the Chief Executive Officer of Horlar Edu Consultancy—a private business operating on the LASU campus went missing on January 16,2025.

His girlfriend, who wished to remain anonymous, said she called Adedamola on the day he went missing and he told her that he was in front of the CCC Ileri Oluwa Parish, LASU 2, and would call her back. But he never did.

The Police were said to have visited the church based on his girlfriend’s account. But the pastor reportedly denied seeing Adedamola that day or knowing his whereabouts.

In the course of investigation, the Police were said to have obtained his bank statements where it was discovered that N1.5 million was transferred on the day he went missing.

Further findings by the Police revealed that part of the money was transferred into the Pastor and his daughter’s bank accounts.

Some students of LASU who spoke via telephone, said the suspect initially denied receiving the money, but later claimed it was for a Thanksgiving offering, after the police showed him evidence of the transaction. This led to his detention for further investigation.

The body of the LASU graduate was discovered to have been buried near the church premises. A gun and an axe were reportedly recovered from the Pastor

The incident occurred at night when Alhassan, a commercial driver, returned from work and found his room padlocked by the landlord.

Speaking to journalists, Ishaku Ayuba, a resident of the area, said the tenant had refused to pay rent for over a year despite several reminders.

“The man is a commercial driver who has been staying in that compound for three years now. Since last year when his rent expired, he has refused to pay the landlord,” he said.

He explained that the landlord decided to lock the tenant’s room out of frustration.

“When the tenant had gone to work, the landlord used another padlock to lock up the room,” he added.

Ayuba said the incident escalated when Alhassan confronted the landlord’s son.

“The tenant walked straight and attempted to slap the landlord’s son. In the process, the landlord came out, and it resulted in a serious quarrel, and the tenant assaulted the landlord,” he said.

A member of the vigilante group, simply identified as Joshua, confirmed the incident, stating that they were alerted by residents and had to intervene.

We were immediately alerted and came to intervene. The tenant was later handed over to security personnel in the area,” he said.

The PPRO said, “The Kwara Police Command is aware of the gruesome killing of one Miss Yetunde H. Lawal.

“On 11/02/2025 at about 1800 hours, a case of a missing person was reported at C Division Oja-Oba by her father, Mr Ibrahim A Lawal.

“Immediately, the police detectives swung into action, tracked her number and arrested a suspect, exhibits recovered. The case was transferred yesterday to the SCID for discreet investigations.

“The suspect had been arrested through the deceased’s tracked phone number to the suspect’s house in the Offa Garaji area, Ilorin, but initially denied knowing her whereabouts.

“However, during a search of his house by the police, he confessed that she had visited him and allegedly died of an asthma attack.

“Upon further investigation, police discovered Yetunde’s dismembered body, hidden in a bowl, along with equipment used for the act.”

Among the dead are 28 soldiers, five police officers, and an official of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, according to Saturday Vanguard’s checks and timeline in Nigeria Insecurity Tracker, NIT, compiled by Dataxpat.com.

The Nigeria Insecurity Tracker is an effort to chronicle and map insecurity and violence based on a weekly survey of media reports. The data include violent incidents relating to political, economic, and social grievances directed at the state or other affiliated groups, or the state employing violence to respond to those incidents.

The 805 death toll is based on reported incidents and the tally may be higher because many incidents are not reported or under-reported. And abducted victims who get killed in kidnappers’ dens are not tallied.

In the second week of January, the military said troops neutralised 156 terrorists and apprehended 464 suspects. And in the 31 days of  January, the military said that troops eliminated 358 terrorists and arrested 431 suspects.

However, the 805 lives were fewer than the 1525 lost in the first six weeks of 2021. This indicates that efforts to fight insecurity are bearing fruits.

Timeline of killings in six weeks of 2025 

JAN 1: A man and his son burned and killed their kinsman over alleged stealing of N25,000 jeans in Oguta LGA of Imo State.

JAN 1: Former Federal Controller of Works, AbdulRazaq Ajani was killed by unknown assailants in Ilorin, Kwara State.

JAN 1: A 27-year old woman killed her husband with a pestle over a misunderstanding at Lafiyagi Dzwafu village in Matcha LGA of Niger State.

JAN 2: A jealous and aggrieved man killed a Bishop over suspicion of having affairs with his wife in Olorunda LGA, Osogbo, Osun State.

JAN 3: 11 people lost their lives, four people were injured, and 31 huts were burnt to ashes during a communal clash at Gululu village, Jahun and Miga LGA of Jigawa State.

JAN 3: Suspected Lakurawa bandits attacked Natsini village in Argungu LGA of Kebbi State, killed two police officers and rustled an unspecified number of cows.

JAN 4: Some unknown gunmen killed two farmers while working on their farms in Odo-Ape community, Kabba-Bunu LGA, Kogi State

JAN 4: Six soldiers and 34 terrorists died during a firefight between troops and ISWAP/Boko Haram terrorists at Sabin Gari Village in Damboa LGA, Borno State.

JAN 4: Security forces and local vigilantes neutralised several bandits estimated at 80 in Jibia LGA of Katsina State

JAN 4: Suspected bandits ambushed a village in Lusada LGA of Katsina State, killed four persons including the state’s Acting Chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association MACBAN, Amafu Surajo, and kidnapped three persons.

JAN 4: Troops of 1 Brigade, Sector 2 Joint Task Force North West, Operation Fansan Yamma neutralised a notorious terrorist, Sani Russu in Tsafe LGA, Zamfara State.

JAN 4: Troops of 1 Brigade, Sector 2 Joint Task Force North West, Operation Fansan Yamma during an ambush operation neutralised some terrorists while others sustained fatal injuries at Kwanar Jollof in Shinkafi LGA of Zamfara State. Number of deaths estimated at 15.

JAN 5: No fewer than 18 people were killed in coordinated attacks across several communities in Orsu LGA of Imo State. The killings occurred in Umuhu-Okabia, Eziawa, Ihittenansa, Amaokwu and Amaebu

JAN 5: Unknown men killed three sons of a native doctor at Nise community in Awka South LGA of Anambra State.

JAN 6: Nine people were killed during a cult clash in Owo, Owo LGA of Ondo State.

JAN 6: 2 persons died in an IED explosion at Tsangayar Sani Uthman Islamiyya School in Byazhin area of Abuja.

JAN 6: The military air component conducted air interdiction on BH/ISWAP terrorists at Wulade in Gwoza LGA of Borno, killing several terrorists estimated at 30

JAN 7: Nigerian Army troops shot dead two suspects accused of killing four soldiers on protection duty in Rivers. They were neutralised by troops of 5 Battalion during a raid on their hideout in Kalaogbokolo, Ahoada West LGA, Rivers State.

JAN 7: Bandits attacked a joint team of Katsina State Community Watch Corps and vigilante members, who were returning from a condolence visit at Baure Village, Safana LGA of Katsina State and killed 21 persons.

JAN 8: Armed Cultists suspected to be members of the Greenlanders, invaded Igbogene Community a suburb of Yenagoa, the Bayelsa capital, and killed three persons.

JAN 8: Armed cultists suspected to be members of Greenlanders, invaded Igbogene Community a suburb of Yenagoa, the Bayelsa capital, and killed three persons.

JAN 9: A four-man gang killed two Uber drivers in Lagos

JAN 9: A 10-year old girl was killed by a man for rituals in Orhoakpi, Ethiope East, Delta State.

JAN 10: The troops of Sector 2 of the Joint Task Force North-West Operation Fansan Yamma dismantled terrorists’ hideouts in Fakai area of Shinkafi LGA of Zamfara. The troops in an offensive operation supported by the Air Component Operation Fansan Yamma cleared some terrorists’ camps in Fakai axis. “Some of the bandits’ camps cleared include that of Bello Turji and Mallam Ila, where troops neutralised over 25 terrorists with more than 18 others sustaining gunshot wounds.

JAN 11: Hoodlums stabbed to death a commercial cyclist and took a way his motorcycle at Daku village, Gwagwalada Area Council, Abuja

JAN 11: 16 persons said to be vigilantes were mistakenly killed in a military airstrike in some communities in Maradun and Zurmi LGAs of Zamfara State.

JAN 11. Gunmen suspected to be cattle herders killed nine people and injured many others in Karu LGA of Nasarawa State.

JAN 11: Suspected herders hacked a farmer to death and raped a woman at Paikon Bassa community in Gurdi Ward of Abaji Area Council, Abuja.

JAN11: Kidnappers killed a vigilante and kidnapped his colleague at Igbe community in Ikorodu LGA of Lagos State.

JAN 12: Boko Haram insurgents killed 40 farmers, injured and kidnapped scores of others in Dumba community, Baga, Kukawa LGA of Borno State.

JAN 12: Boko Haram killed two civilians in Chibok village, burned church, and houses.

JAN 12: A Chinese national was stabbed and killed in his office by a man and his girlfriend at Ogere, Ogun State.

JAN 12: A 23-year old man stabbed and killed his 65-year old father after consuming ‘colorado’ at Amukpe, Sapele in Delta State.

JAN 13: Two persons were killed at Iwaro, Akoko South-East LGA of Ondo State following clashes among youths of Oka-Odo, Ebo and Owake communities.

JAN 13: 10 persons were reported dead in Tatara village, Panda, Nasarawa State following a night attack by suspected Fulani terror group.

JAN 14: Anambra Joint Security Force neutralised 5 alleged Biafra secessionists at Ufuma, Orumba LGA of Anambra State.

JAN 14: A gospel singer, Timileyin Ajayi killed and butchered his girlfriend, Salome Adaidu, at Agwan Sarki, Orozo, Nasarawa State

JAN 14: The Defence Headquarters said troops in the last one week, neutralised 156 terrorists, apprehended 464 suspects and rescued 181 kidnapped hostages in different operations across the country.

North-East

In the North East, Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba said the troops of Operation Hadin Kai eliminated 76 terrorists, arrested 72 suspects and rescued eight kidnappers’ hostages during the week.

In the North-West, Buba said the troops of Operation Fansan Yamma, neutralised 64 terrorists, arrested 69 persons and rescued 62 kidnapped hostages.He added that the air component killed scores of terrorists within Alawa Forest in Shiroro LGA of Niger as well as Maikaho and Mashigin areas of Kebbi.

JAN 15: Cultists shot and killed a HND final year student of Akwa State Polytechnic , Ikot Osurua, Akwa Ibom State.

JAN 16: The troops of Defence Headquarters Special Operations Brigade, neutralised six terrorists in Gudu LGA of Sokoto State and recovered weapons.

JAN 16: A man stabbed his brother-in-law to death at Ubomiri in Mbaitoli LGA, Imo State..

JAN 16: A 23-year old man machetted his father to death over refusal to give him N5000 at Amukpe, Sapele LGA of Delta State.

JAN 16: A Computer Science student of Westland Polytechnic, Ilobu, Ogun State was shot and killed in the town by gunmen suspected to be from Ifon community.

JAN 18: An officer of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Assistant Superintendent (ASP) Aminu Salisu, was shot and killed during an operation in Awka, Anambra.

JAN 18: Joint security personnel in Katsina State foiled bandits’ attack on Ruwan-Doruwa village, Dutsin-ma LGA and neutralised seven suspected bandits.

JAN 19: A man alleged to be a cultist, Nasir Isiaka, was killed by two masked men at Owo in Owo LGA of Ondo State.

JAN 19: Gunmen shot Celestial Church prophet to death in during Sunday service at Idiroko, Ogun State.

JAN 19: Police confirmed one person dead in a clash between the people of Omege-Agalagu and Ukwuinyima Communities in Ikwo LGA of Ebonyi State.

JAN 20:A robbery attack at Ngalda Market in Yobe State led to the loss of seven lives and injuring of 11 others.

JAN 20: The Police killed a kidnap kingpin in Yola LGA of Adamawa State.

JAN 20: Military kills Turji’s son, several other terrorists estimated at 34 during a coordinated operations between troops of Operation Fansan Yamma and the air component along Shinkafi, Kagara, Fakai, Moriki, Maiwa and Chindo axis, Zamfara State.

JAN 20: An old woman, Kehinde Ojo, was stoned to death at Nawarudeen, along Isabo Road in Abeokuta. by 64-year-old, woman and others.

JAN 21: The Vice Chairman of the Civilian Joint Taskforce (CJTF) in Kawuri. Godori, Borno State stepped on a bomb believed to have been planted by terrorists a day earlier and died in the instant explosion.

JAN 22: Troops neutralised Bello Turji’s second-in-command, and six others around Gebe and Isa LGAs of Sokoto State.

JAN 22: An NYSC corps member, serving at FCE Pankshin, Safwan Adamu Fade, was reportedly beaten and severely injured by unknown hoodlums at the Pankshin township stadium. He died later.

JAN 22: Gunmen killed two persons, abducted five, and injured one at Akansan Garmadi in Rumaya, Kaduna State.

JAN 22: A woman set ablaze on January 21 by her husband over alleged infidelity died at Eziezekwe village, Abagana in Njikoka LGA of Anambra State.

JAN 24: Gunmen ambushed and killed an undertaker along Egbe-Ogbe-Ponyan Road in Yagba East LGA of Kogi State

JAN 25: Police neutralise 6 IPOB/ESN men in Imo

JAN 25: Man strangled his father to death for not buying him motorcycle at Eberi Quarters, Isua Akoko, Ondo State.

JAN 25: Troops killer terrorist commander and 78 others in operations across the country

JAN 26: 22 soldiers were killed in a Jihadist suicide attack in Maiduguri, Borno State.JAN 26: Troops eliminate 70 terrorists in Borno

JAN 27: Herdsmen killed two persons in Mbiri community, Ika North-East LGA of Delta state.

JAN 28: Five persons were reportedly killed during an attack by gunmen at Ajegunle-Powerline community in Akure North LGA of Ondo State.

JAN 28: Bandits killed a herder and abducted others at Dogon-Kurmi near Tafa LGA of Niger State.

JAN 28: Gunmen killed a woman they abducted with her husband, son and husband’s elder brother at Chikakore, Kubwa in Bwari Area Council, FCT Abuja.

JAN 29: 2 persons were killed when gunmen invaded Vanguard Media Staff Cooperative Society land in Lokoji community, Ogun State.

JAN 29: Police neutralised 5 suspected kidnappers and rescued three victims at Sagamu-Ijebu Ode expressway, Ogun State.

JAN 30: Bandits killed three and abducted 24 during attacks on four communities in Shinkafi LGA of Zamfara State

JAN 30: Bandits kidnapped the 4-year-old son of a council chairman, and killed his aide at Malumfashi LGA of Katsina State.

JAN 30: Anambra’s security outfit raided dreaded Lilu forest in Ihiala LGA, and killed 6 gunmen.

JAN 31: Herders killed five labourers at Ajegunle-Powerline community in Akure North LGA of Ondo State.

JAN 31: Terrorists killed a family (husband, wife and their child) while asleep at Lighitlubang village in Mangu LGA of Plateau State.

February

FEB 1: Gunmen killed one person and abducted nine at Piroje village in Lau LGA of Taraba State.

FEB 1: One person was shot dead while four others were abducted by kidnappers at Shendai, Namu district in Quaan-Pan LGA of Plateau State.

FEB 2: 15 persons were killed when herders attacked Amegi Nkalagha community in Ishielu LGA of Ebonyi State.

FEB 2: 23 bandits surrendered, and one was killed at Amar village of Karim Lamido LGA of Taraba State.

FEB 3: Three persons were killed in a renewed bloody clash between rival cult groups in Onne, Eleme LGA of Rivers State.

FEB 3: Gunmen invaded Esa-Oke in Obokun LGA of Osun State, killing four people.FEB 3: Clash between residents and security agents claimed four lives during a demolition exercise at Rimi Zakara, Ungogo LGA of Kano State.

FEB 3: A man stabbed a police inspector to death at Manigi village in Masegu LGA of Niger State for marrying his son’s girlfriend, and causing the son heartbreak.

FEB 3: Gunmen killed two persons and kidnapped many at Galadimawa in Rumaya, Kaduna State.

FEB 4: Three siblings were killed, and their bodies stuffed in a deep freezer in Nnewichi, in Nnewi North LGA of Anambra state.

FEB 4: Four were confirmed dead in the kingship tussle between Esa-Oke community of Obokun LGA of Osun State.

FEB 4: kidnappers killed one, and abducted four in Shendai community of Namu District, Plateau State.

FEB 4: Gunmen invaded Ijegun-Egba community in Oriade LCDA of Lagos, killed two persons and injured several others.

FEB 4: Two people were killed by Improvised Explosive Device, IED, planted by Boko Haram terrorists on their way to a market along Harang and Jibhuhwui villages of Hawul LGA, Borno State.

FEB 4: Bandits killed a vigilante and kidnapped 6 girls in Pandogari community, Rafi LGA of Niger State.

FEB 4: A woman was killed by a stray bullet during a clash between the Bobousnand Greenlanders at Swali Ultran Modern Market, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

FEB 5: Gunmen killed the Chief Security Officer, CSO, of the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Richard Timothy and his 23-year old son, Silas, at their Igwuruta-Ali residence near Port Harcourt.

FEB 5: The decomposing remains of Anambra House of Assembly lawmaker, Justice Azuka, who was kidnapped on December 24, 2024 was found at the Second Niger Bridge.

FEB 5: At least five persons including All Progressives Councillorship aspirnt in the last local council polls, Amedu Agaba, reportedly lost their lives while several others sustained injuries during a bloody clash between suspected armed herdsmen and local hunters at Okpomaju village of Okete Ward in Otukpo LGA of Benue State.The killings were after a February 4 peace meeting after one herder and two hunters had been killed in the area.

FEB: The Police neutralised two bandits at Gwana district in Alkaleri LGA of Bauchi State during a tactical operation in collaboration with hunters.

FEB 6: Bandits killed one and kidnapped the former Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Maharazu Tsiga, and nine others at Tsiga village, Bakori LGA, Katsina State.

FEB 6: A female student of Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku, was kidnapped by unknown gunmen, while a stray bullet killed a woman in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State.

FEB 7: A 37-year old man killed his 45-year old elder brother overfood at Adegbe village, Abagana in Njikoka LGA of Anambra State.

FEB 7: Bandits killed 12 traders and abducted four in Katsina State.

FEB 7-8: No fewer than 44 terrorists were killed and 25 injured in a co-ordinated attacks across multiple fronts by troops at Kashabawa, Bwarare, Zaki and Sakaraw in Zamfara State.

FEB 8: Assailants killed an uber driver and snatched his vehicle in Lagos.

FEB 9: No fewer than 19 persons died after Deybam and Icelanders cult groups clashed in Obelle community, Emohua LGA of Rivers State.

FEB 9: A trigger-happy police man shot and killed a man at Omagwa, Rivers State.FEB 9: Bandits killed one and abducted many during an attack on Rarah community in Rabbah LGA, Sokoto State.

FEB 9: Armed robbers killed the pastor of Evangelical Church Winning All, ECWA, in Lubo community of Yamaltu/Deba LGA of Gombe State.

FEB 9. Police killed a bandit and lost two personnel in separate incidents in Yobe State.

FEB 9. Two persons died during a fight by two rival cult groups in Wadata area of Makurdi, Benue State.

FEB 10: Bandits killed a trader along Dandume Road, Katsina.

FEB 10: The Police confirmed the killing of three persons in a cult clash in Wadata area of Makurdi, Benue State.

- Vanguard 

Residents told Daily Trust that the bandits invaded their community in the midnight on Wednesday, killing a vigilante, Aliyu Aminu, and kidnapping the girls.

Residents said the attackers, in their numbers, entered the community from Birnin Gwari axis, through the Mamman Kontagora Technical College, Pandogari.

Sources said the kidnapped girls were moved to Kwangel Forest.

One of the sources said the bandits moved from house to house during the night raid.

“The Wednesday night attack was third in a week. They have been attacking us since the negotiation with Kaduna State Government. The negotiation and settlement with residents of Birnin Gwari is not to our advantage.

“These attacks resumed since the day Kaduna State negotiated with them in Birnin Gwari. Last week, they came and kidnapped people including the village head. They came twice before the last Wednesday night,” he said.

The Chairman, Rafi LGA, Ayuba Usman Katako, confirmed the attacks in a Hausa programme, Tsalle Daya on Prestige FM, saying that Niger and Kaduna state governments needed to work together to ensure that the two states are safe.

“It was true that bandits attacked Pandogari community. In fact, that was not the only attack in the last two weeks. The Wednesday attack was the third one.

“In the previous attacks, they only succeeded in kidnapping some people in some Villages but on Wednesday, a life was lost before they kidnapped 8 people but 4 of them eventually escaped,” he explained.

The member representing Rafi Constituency in the Niger State House of Assembly, Zubairu Isma’ila Zannan Kwangoma, in a motion of urgent public importance on the floor of the House, noted that terrorists had, within one month, kidnapped 122 people and killed two in Rafi LGA.

He listed the most affected communities to include Pandogari, Gidigori, Ringa, and Kawo, adding that the affected communities had been severely subjected to economic hardship and agricultural destruction, after they were displaced.

The suspect, arrested by the operatives of Intelligence Response Team (IRT), was among others recently paraded by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in Abuja.

Haruna, of Angwa Kanawa Dutse Abba, Zaria, Kaduna State, was reported to have taken Shago Yaro, Tanimu Ayuba and Lamido Dantajiri, close to the house of his nephew, Alhaji Anas, and suggested him and his family members as a good catch for kidnapping that would yield a lot of money.

On the day they struck, the bandits invaded the Alhaji Anas’s residence at about 1 a.m., met his absence and went away with his two wives and three children, as well as his younger brother and his wife.

Nigerian Tribune further gathered that the captives were taken to Buruku Sabo Birni and held hostage for 60 days. A total sum of N13 million, four new motorcycles and N300,000 Airtel recharge cards were given to the bandits as ransom before the victims regained freedom. Surprisingly, Haruna got only N200,000 as his share from the ransom.

Also paraded was Nyali Hassan, a kidnapper, arrested with an AK-47 rifle. Nigerian Tribune learnt that prior to his arrest, IRT operatives received a credible information about some criminal elements who specialised in kidnapping and banditry within Makarfi, Bari, Yankin Rago and Beli towns in Kano and Kaduna states respectively.

In a follow-up on the information, Hassan, resident in StaraRago, Kano, was arrested, while an AK-47 rifle with breech number 6047 and two empty magazines were recovered from him.

During interrogation, Hassan reportedly confessed to being a kidnapper. He mentioned Kawuje, Moude, Babagida, Kabiru and Umar as his gang members, saying that two other AK-47 rifles and ammunition that were being used for operations were with Umar who was still at large.

The FPRO said that the IRT operatives were making efforts to get the other suspects arrested and recover the arms and ammunition still with them.

In an interview, Haruna, aged 50, told the Nigerian Tribune: “I’m into farming and vigilante work. It is true that I was the one who took bandits to Alhaji Anas’s house. Anas is my nephew; my elder sister’s son. I knew only one of the bandits who asked me to show them my nephew’s house.

“I led the bandits to his house but didn’t let him see me. We were living in the same community. They did not see Anas, so they took his wife and children. For the 60 days his family was in the bush, I was using Alhaji Anas’s phone to communicate with the bandits.

“The bandits were paid over N10 million as ransom, as I was made to know, but I was given N200,000 as my share. I bought maize with the money given to me.”

How I was picked

“I didn’t know how the police got information about my involvement. I just saw them at my home. Life pushed me into crime.”

In his own confession, Hassan from Kano State, stated: “I’m 35 years old. I have two wives and 10 children. I’m into farming and cattle rearing, but added kidnapping to it. I was carrying out the operations in Kano. I started a year ago. I have kidnapped eight people but got money from five of them. I collected between N1 million and N10 million as ransom. Some of the victims escaped while those guarding them slept off. I was targeting the rich people. We were six in my gang and had three AK-47 rifles. One of my members, Umar, got the rifles. I was arrested with an AK-47 rifle.”

How we got victims

“We usually carried out our operations by laying ambush for victims on the road or visit their homes. We never killed any of our potential victims.”

How I was caught

“I was in my house when police operatives came to me in the early hours of the day to pick me up. I know that Qur’an does not support crime, but I’ll say that my friends misled me. They would be spending so much money whenever we were at a gathering, so I decided to join them.

“I bought a pickup van from my share of the proceeds. I had 20 cows that I inherited from my father.

“My friend, Umar, who is also one of the gang members taught me how to shoot with AK-47 rifle.”

NDLEA disclosed that its operatives arrested Igbokwe at the arrival hall of Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, during the inward clearance of passengers on an Ethiopian Airlines flight on Sunday, January 26th, 2025.

'He was promptly taken for a body scan, which revealed illicit drugs in his system.

“He was soon after taken into NDLEA custody for excretion observation.

“Investigation revealed that Igbokwe, who claims to be into cloth business at Arena, Oshodi area of Lagos, departed Lagos on January 22nd to Addis Ababa where he ingested the 81 wraps of cocaine the following day January 23rd and boarded a flight to Beirut, Lebanon to deliver the illicit consignment for a fee of $3,000.

Upon his arrival in Beirut, he said he was refused entry because he had less than $2,000, the amount required to grant him entry.

He was then deported to Addis Ababa, where he attempted to excrete the illicit drugs but could not. He thereafter proceeded to Lagos on Saturday, January 25th, with the consignment in his bowel.

“He was, however, arrested upon his arrival at the Lagos airport by NDLEA officers on January 26th.

“After five days under excretion observation, he could only expel 24 pellets following initial medical intervention at the agency’s medical facility and the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) Ikeja.

'With the clock ticking for him and the complication of other underlining medical conditions, the suspect was eventually admitted at the tertiary facility where he had to undergo exploratory laparotomy to extract the remaining 57 wraps of cocaine stuck in his stomach after his wife and brother endorsed the necessary consent forms on Thursday, January 30th.

'In all, a total of 81 pellets of the Class A drug with a gross weight of 1.943 kilograms were recovered from his stomach”.

Meanwhile, NDLEA said its operatives in Lagos on Wednesday, January 29th, intercepted a consignment of 2,000 kilograms of Ghanaian Loud, a strain of cannabis produced in Ghana, at Lekki beach, where two suspects, Sunday Awoyede and Christopher Cletus, attempted loading them into a truck.

The suspects, the skunk shipment and the van, were immediately taken into custody. Another suspect, Lawal Idris Olasunkanmi, was also arrested the same day with 55kg of skunk during a raid at his base in the Mushin area of Lagos.

Across the country, NDLEA Commands and formations continued their War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, sensitization lectures and advocacy visits to worship centres, schools, workplaces, and palaces of traditional rulers and communities throughout the past week.

These include a WADA sensitization lecture to the students and staff of Grand Light Model School, Ata Udosung, Akwa Ibom; Community Grammar School, Iganna, Iwajowa LGA, Oyo state; Ebute Afuye Primary School, Epe, Lagos state; and Akwakuma and Girls Secondary School, Owerri, Imo state.

Others are Federal Government College, Kebbe, Sokoto state, while the Kogi state command of the Agency paid a WADA advocacy visit to Attah of Igala and HRH Mathew Opaluwa Oguche at his palace in Idah, among others.

Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) commended the officers and men of MMIA Strategic Command for their vigilance and professionalism in handling Chijioke Igbokwe’s case.

He warned those involved in the illicit drug trade that they’re not only destroying the lives of others but equally putting their own lives at significant risk.

He applauded the Lagos State Strategic Command for blocking a vast consignment of skunks from entering the country.

He recognized the concerted efforts of their compatriots in all the commands across the country to intensify the WADA social advocacy lectures and sensitization activities and balance the agency’s drug supply and demand reduction efforts.