The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it has arrested Ezeokoli Sylva, a businessman based in Brazil, for allegedly smuggling 700 grams of cocaine.

A statement on Sunday by Femi Babafemi, NDLEA spokesperson, said the discovery was made following his arrest at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Ikeja, Lagos.

Femi said the 59-year-old man, who had spent 35 years in Brazil, was arrested on November 29 at the E-Arrival Hall of the airport upon his return from Sao Paulo, Brazil.

“When he was taken for body scan, the result confirmed that the suspect had foreign objects concealed in his stomach,” the statement reads.

”As a result, he was placed under excretion observation during which he expelled 29 wraps of substances that tested positive to cocaine weighing 700grams.

“The suspect claimed he operates an African store in Brazil where he sells provisions, shoes and clothes. He added that he bought the illicit consignment in Sao Paulo to resell in Nigeria with a view to raising substantial capital to boost his business.”

On November 26, the NDLEA intercepted two consignments containing cocaine and pentazocine injection going to the United Kingdom via a courier company in Lagos.

Babafemi said while the 200 grams cocaine was concealed in local fabrics, 40 ampoules of pentazocine injection weighing 110 grams were hidden in cartons.

“In Kano, NDLEA operatives on Thursday 28th November arrested three suspects: Jamilu Adamu, 38; Umar Musa, 32; and Bunu Ali, 27, with 2,000 ampoules of pentazocine injection and 3,135,000 pills exol-5 at Gadar Tamburawa, Zaria road,” he said.

“No fewer than 2, 120 kilograms of Ghanaian Loud, a strong strain of cannabis produced in Ghana were intercepted by NDLEA operatives at the Ilesan beach, Lagos on Thursday 28th November.

“A suspect, Onibogi Muftau was arrested in connection with the seizure while four vehicles that were to convey the shipments from the water front were also recovered.

“This came on the heels of the seizure of 472kg of the same psychoactive substance at Idi-Iroko, Imeko area of Ogun state on Monday 25th November.”

The Lagos state task force says it has dismissed two of its personnel for alleged theft during a raid.

Abdulraheem Gbadeyan, the task force spokesperson, identified the two dismissed officers as Fatai Yusuf (42) and Hammed Garuba (38).

Gbadeyan said the officials stole phones during an operation conducted at a hotel in Gowon Estate.

He said the integrity of the raid was compromised by the actions of the two officials whose misconduct was captured on closed circuit television (CCTV).

“Both individuals, serving as paramilitary officers within the agency, were subjected to a meticulous investigation by the agency’s disciplinary committee,” he said.

“Upon confirmation of their guilt, they were summarily dismissed from service and will face immediate prosecution for theft.”

Gbadeyan said Adetayo Akerele, chairman of the agency, denounced the actions of the dismissed officers and reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to integrity and accountability.

“Akerele has issued a stern admonition to all personnel, emphasising that any breach of ethical conduct would attract severe consequences,” he said.

The Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) says its operatives have arrested Chinedu Ngwaka, a self-proclaimed bureau de change (BDC) operator, for alleged fraud to the tune of N320 million.

In a statement posted on her X page, Aminat Mayegun, FCID spokesperson in Lagos, said Ngwaka also used a fraudulent presidency number plate on his Toyota Hilux vehicle.

The FCID spokesperson said the suspect was also apprehended with a fake identity card.

Mayegun said the police received a petition on September 9 addressed to Ayodeji Ogundele, assistant inspector general of Police (AIG), FCID annex in Lagos.

“On September 9, 2024, the Nigeria Police Force received a petition addressed to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, FCID Annex, Lagos, from Chinedu Laz and Partners (Deo Gratia Chambers) on behalf of Mr Tochukwu Unachukwu, the Managing Director of Casco Electronics Company Limited,” the statement reads.

“The petition filed was against Chinedu Ernest Ngwaka and his wife, Janet Onyekachi Ngwaka, of being involved in a fraudulent scheme amounting to N320m.

“Upon receipt of the petition, detectives from the Special Investigations Team of the anti-fraud Section attached to Force Criminal Investigations Department (FCID) Annex, Lagos, swiftly swung into the intelligence-led investigation.

“The team reviewed relevant banking records and secured a warrant of arrest, which led to the apprehension of Chinedu Ernest Ngwaka, a self-acclaimed Licensed Bureau De Change (BDC) operator.”

The spokesperson said further investigation revealed that between March and May 2024, Unachukwu made payments totalling N320 million to Ngwaka and his wife.

“Unachukwu made payment of N320 million through Ngwaka company accounts, Edunaco Multiple Resources Limited and Bright Janes World, for the procurement of $200,000 USD to facilitate the supply of goods from China,” Mayegun said.

“However, additional intelligence uncovered fraudulent document, including a telex confirmation from Zenith Bank, which purportedly shows the completion of the transactions in two $100,000 USD tranches.

“The Chinese suppliers confirmed that no such funds were received. During the operation, the SIT recovered a black 2024 Toyota Hilux with a fraudulent Presidency number plate (02B679FG) from Ngwaka, who falsely claimed to operate under the name Phobia BDC Ltd.

“Verification with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) confirmed that he had no association with the company in any form, and that the company’s license has been revoked earlier in the year.

“Additionally, a fake identity card, purportedly issued by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, was discovered, fraudulently identifying Ngwaka as a consultant of the ministry.

“Another letter of introduction addressed ‘to whom it may concern’, purportedly issued by the Head of Service of the Federation, seeking allocation of presidency number plate to the suspect was also recovered from him.

“Relevant authorities have confirmed the illegitimacy of the document.

“The investigation further revealed that the Toyota Hilux, imported into Nigeria in June by Humble Autos, who sold same to a local dealership, Don-Neiel Automobiles Nigeria who subsequently sold to Ngwaka, after he had engaged in the fraudulent transaction with Unachukwu.”

Mayegun added that there were “other petitions against Chinedu Ernest Ngwaka, including claims from Mr. Moses Chizoba Enechukwu and Chinedu Nwaforcha, seeking the recovery of ₦1 billion and ₦840,000,000 respectively”.

The FCID spokesperson said Ngwaka, alongside his co-conspirators, will be charged to court at the end of the investigation.