By Patrick Idowu

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has arrested four Chinese nationals and 27 Nigerians over alleged illegal mining activities in Jos, Plateau State.

According to a statement by EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, on Tuesday in Abuja, the suspects were apprehended on Saturday at the premises of Jiasheng Nigeria Limited in Dura Rayfield, Mangu Road, Jos following credible intelligence linking the company to illegal mining operations.

During the raid, EFCC operatives recovered a truck loaded with eight bags of processed Monazite, each weighing 1,000kg and valued at N4 million per bag.

The suspects are currently in custody and will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations, the commission confirmed.

By Abaire Olanlesi

Police in Abuja have made a major breakthrough in the gruesome murder of retired Brigadier-General Harold Udokwere, arresting two key suspects linked to the crime.

The suspects, 18-year-old Alkasim Mohammed and 22-year-old Suleiman Abdullahi, were captured in a coordinated sting operation by the Scorpion Squad at Durumi Phase 2, Abuja.

Investigations revealed that the duo, aged 17 and 21 at the time of the murder, were part of a notorious criminal gang terrorizing the city.

The gang had previously been linked to high-profile crimes, including the March 7, 2024, murder of Bureau de Change operator Auwal Abdullahi at Rita Lori Hotel, a N700,000 robbery of a POS operator in Jabi, and the shooting of a customer, Daniel Inalegwu.

During the raid, police recovered a Beretta pistol (serial number 58866) with 11 rounds of 9mm ammunition, suspected to have been used in the violent attacks and robberies.

Authorities say investigations are ongoing to uncover the full extent of the gang’s operations, as efforts to dismantle their network continue.

By Adenike Lawal

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested Levi Chidiebele Ubodoeze, a Lagos-based auto spare parts dealer, for attempting to smuggle two kilograms of cocaine concealed in vehicle propellers to Angola.

Ubodoeze’s arrest on March 9, 2025, followed an intensive investigation that began when NDLEA operatives intercepted the illicit consignment at a logistics company in Aspanda, Trade Fair Complex, Lagos, on February 21.

The agency collaborated with Angolan authorities, leading to the arrest of the intended recipient and exposing Ubodoeze as the sender.

NDLEA operatives tracked him to his Ago Palace Way residence in Isolo, where he was caught trying to escape in a KIA SUV.

A search of his vehicle uncovered 75.50 kilograms of phenacetin—a cutting agent for cocaine—and a digital scale.

Further raids across the country led to the seizure of 248 blocks of Ghanaian Loud cannabis in Ojo, over 300,000 opioid pills in Mushin, and a major drug bust in Aba, Abia State, where 442,000 pills of tramadol and codeine syrup were recovered.

The NDLEA reaffirmed its commitment to dismantling drug networks, with recent operations yielding significant arrests and seizures in Benue, Edo, Kano, and Osun.