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NDLEA arrests 80, convicts 12 drug dealers, seizes 3,000kg drugs in FCT

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested over 80 suspected drug dealers with over 3,000kg of drugs in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) between January and March.

Kabir Tsukuwa, Commander of Narcotics (CN), NDLEA, FCT Command, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja.

Tsakuwa said that over 50 suspects had been prosecuted adding that out of the number, 12 had been convicted and sentenced to different jail terms. He said that the command had been going after the drug peddlers and the records were there to show from the arrest and seizure over the years.

“If not for the continuous effort of the agency and the command in particular, the drug situation in FCT and even the entire country would have been worst,” he said.

The NDLEA commander said that the current situation of drug abuse in the FCT was not a peculiar one as it was same world over. Tsakuwa said that drug abuse was a major concern to all countries of the world.

He said that all regional and global bodies like ECOWAS, EU and UNODC were advocating for global concerted efforts to deal with the challenge of drug trafficking and abuse. He said: “the drug situation varies from countries to countries, states to states and even localities.”

According to him, the command has maintained consistent raids of drug joints within the FCT, even though, that cannot be said to have been dismantled completely but it is a continuous process.

“There is no society that is crime free, not even the developed world.

“In 2023 alone, we arrested over 500 suspects with over 7,000kg of assorted drug seizure and conviction of over 200 offenders.”

Tsakuwa said that the issue of drug abuse was serious, adding that Nigerians must join in the continuous fight against the drug menace. He emphasised that there was a strong nexus between drug abuse and other criminalities like kidnapping, insurgency, theft, armed robbery among others.

“When drug abuse and trafficking is dealt with, the rise in other criminalities will certainly drop.

“Although, we have had cases where we carry out operations of drug joints, but the next minute, they are back again.

“Be that as it may, we shall continue to give in our best to ensure sustainable action in our efforts.

“We shall not rest until we achieve our desired goal of drug free environment in the Federal Capital,” he added.

Crime

UK teenager jailed in Dubai for sex with 17-year-old girl

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An 18-year-old British teenager has been sentenced to one year in a Dubai jail for having a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl.

The teenager was on holiday with his family in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) when he met the girl — who is now 18 — at the same hotel.

The teenagers who are both from London were said to have made plans to continue their romance when they returned to the UK.

Detained in Dubai, a group of UAE legal experts, said the young man was charged because the girl’s mother found their chats and pictures back in the UK. The woman subsequently contacted police in Dubai and he was arrested.

The head of the campaign group Detained In Dubai, who recently announced the teenager’s sentence, described the judgment an “utter disgrace”.

“The UK was once the most diplomatically influential western country in the Middle East. Now, we are seeing countries like Canada, Malaysia, Ireland and the US leaving the UK way behind,” Radha Stirling, the group’s founder, wrote on X.

“The Labour government should be ashamed they have not secured the freedom of a teenage tourist. It wasn’t a difficult job.”

She said the boy, who has been held in Dubai since September, would appeal against his sentence and was “desperately hoping to come home this week”.

“I urge young people and parents to reconsider holidays in Dubai where so many people find themselves at risk of unfair and lengthy detention in prisons notorious for human rights abuses and torture,” Stirling added.

In Dubai, if an adult has a sexual relationship with a person under 18 they can be prosecuted for having a sexual relationship with a minor.

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Crime

NDLEA seizes drugs hidden in equipment, warns travellers about suspicious parcel

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has intercepted parcels of illicit drugs concealed within equipment in Lagos.

The agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, shared videos of the seized contraband on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday.

The NDLEA warned travellers to exercise caution when accepting luggage or items from others, as they may be unaware of the contents.

“Drug concealments NDLEA officers find these days are enough to make you suspect ANYONE asking you to deliver a package when travelling or collect anything from abroad at any logistics or courier service. E GET WHY. This video shows the latest seizure by NDLEA in Lagos,” Babafemi wrote in his post.

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Crime

Crypto-trader found guilty of killing own mother to claim £500,000 life insurance

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A crypto trader has been convicted of murdering his mother to claim over $1 million in life insurance payouts and sustain the illusion of a “perfect life,” a court has revealed.

Colleen Rebelo, 58, was found dead in her bathroom on May 25, 2020, at her home in Perth, Australia. Her youngest son discovered her lifeless body in the shower.

Investigations uncovered that her son, Andre Zachary Rebelo, had taken out three separate life insurance policies totaling $1.2 million AUD (£500,000) against his mother just a week before her death, naming himself as the sole beneficiary.

Despite the sudden and unexpected nature of Ms. Rebelo’s death, first responders did not suspect foul play, and an autopsy failed to determine the cause of death.

At the time, Rebelo and his then-partner, Instagram influencer Grace Piscopo—who boasts over one million followers—portrayed an extravagant lifestyle on social media, sharing images of luxurious holidays, flashy cars, and indulgent experiences.

However, the court heard that the couple was secretly grappling with financial difficulties, amassing debts exceeding $120,000 AUD.

Just days after Ms. Rebelo’s death, Rebelo, 28, aggressively pursued insurance companies for payouts, including a $500,000 AUD (£252,000) policy. To secure the claims, he submitted fabricated health and death records, forged copies of his mother’s medical documents and coroner’s report, and even used an AI-generated voice to impersonate Ms. Rebelo’s psychologist in a voicemail to the insurer.

Years later, an insurance company employee flagged the case, suspecting Rebelo of fraudulently attempting to claim life insurance.

Following the tip-off, police launched an investigation into the circumstances of Ms. Rebelo’s death. In 2022, her son was arrested and charged with her murder, which the jury has now found him guilty of committing.

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Bodex F. Hungbo, SPMIIM is a multiple award-winning Nigerian Digital Media Practitioner, Digital Strategist, PR consultant, Brand and Event Expert, Tv Presenter, Tier-A Blogger/Influencer, and a top cobbler in Nigeria.

She has widespread experiences across different professions and skills, which includes experiences in; Marketing, Media, Broadcasting, Brand and Event Management, Administration and Management with prior stints at MTN, NAPIMS-NNPC, GLOBAL FLEET OIL AND GAS, LTV, Silverbird and a host of others

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