By Friday Idachaba

In a chilling act of betrayal, the Kogi State Police Command has arrested Abdulmuqeet Musari for allegedly attempting to murder his close friend, Usman Tijani, a 19-year-old Cyber Security student, after robbing him of N200, 000
The suspect reportedly lured Usman to a Cemetery in New Zango, Adavi Local Government Area, where he overpowered him, slit his throat, and fled with the cash
Confirming the incident on Thursday in Lokoja, Kogi State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Williams Ovye Aya, said Musari is now in custody and assisting with ongoing investigations
Preliminary reports revealed that the victims, who also operates a Point of Sale(POS) business was deceived by Musari under the pretext of an errand on the night of December 24th, instead, the suspect ambushed himat the burial ground, leaving him for dead.

A family member of the victim, Zainab Avosuahi, who narrated the ugly incident disclosed that the suspect had on the evening of Tuesday December 24, allegedly requested his friend to accompany him to the area, luring him.

Avosuahi alleged that suspect, on getting to the destination, attacked her nephew, overpowered him and slit his throat, robbed him of N200,000 cash and escaped.

“We received a shocking call from my sister on Tuesday that left us devastated. Please this is a call for Justice for my nephew whom his friend dragged to the bush, collected 200,000 from and still have his throat butchered.

“He is currently undergoing surgery in Lokoja while the ‘devil in disguise’ of a friend is on the run. Please we are on the look out for him. This is all the information we can get now as the victim can’t say much,” she had stated.

However, the suspect was later apprehended by the Vigilante and security outfit of Adavi Local Government who placed him on surveillance and traced him to a neighbouring community in Ekiti State.

According to Suleiman Abdulrazaq Acheneje, Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the LG chairman, Hon. Bashiru Okatenwu, the security personnel of the LG swung into action when they heard about the terrifying action.

Acheneje said that the intention of the suspect, Abdulmuqeet Musari, was no doubt, to kill Usman.

“The victim was found nearly dead and rescued around 2am (on Christmas day) in new Zango, Adavi LGA where he was immediately rushed to Lokoja and has since been receiving treatment in a very sound hospital there.

“The culprit was already on the run but kudos to the Executive Chairman Of Adavi, and their security intel as they were able to apprehend the culprit in Ekiti state.”

The festive season in Anambra State turned grim on Christmas Eve as gunmen abducted a member of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Mr. Justice Azuka, in what analysts describe as a troubling signal of growing insecurity in the region.

Azuka, who represents Onitsha North Constituency, was seized around 9:20 pm on Ugwunapampa Road in Onitsha while returning home, creating fears among residents already grappling with concerns over safety.

In a statement released on Wednesday, Anambra Police Command spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga confirmed the incident and assured the public that tactical operations were underway to secure Azuka’s release and apprehend the kidnappers.

Ikenga emphasized that the police are working with local intelligence to track the perpetrators and urged the public to provide credible information that could aid investigations.
The abduction of a sitting lawmaker adds to a series of recent incidents involving kidnappings and attacks in the South-East region, heightening anxieties over the safety of citizens and public officials alike.
Community leaders and security experts have called for urgent intervention, including improved surveillance and intelligence-sharing mechanisms to counter the rising tide of abductions.
Residents of Onitsha and surrounding areas have expressed anger and frustration over the incident, demanding that security agencies intensify patrols and crack down on criminal networks.
Meanwhile, colleagues of the abducted lawmaker have called for calm, urging citizens to cooperate with authorities to ensure Azuka’s safe return.
As the police continue their investigations, questions remain about the effectiveness of current security measures in protecting lives and property in the region, especially during the holiday season.

***NDLEA Busts Multi-Million Drug Rings

A shocking drug smuggling attempt was thwarted as Ezeokoli Sylva, a 59-year-old Nigerian businessman, was arrested at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, with 700 grams of cocaine buried in his stomach.
After 35 years in Brazil, Sylva was caught by National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) operatives on Friday, November 29, upon arrival from São Paulo via Ethiopian Airlines.

NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi revealed that a body scan detected foreign objects inside Sylva. “He expelled 29 wraps of cocaine during excretion observation,” Babafemi said. Sylva admitted purchasing the drugs in Brazil to resell in Nigeria, hoping to boost his business capital.

In a massive crackdown, NDLEA intercepted two drug consignments bound for the UK on November 26, with 200 grams of cocaine hidden in local fabrics and 110 grams of pentazocine injections in cartons.

In Kano, three suspects—Jamilu Adamu (38), Umar Musa (32), and Bunu Ali (27)—were arrested on November 28 with 2,000 ampoules of pentazocine and over 3 million pills of exol-5 along Zaria Road.

NDLEA operatives also seized 2,120 kilograms of “Ghanaian Loud,” a potent cannabis strain, at Ilesan Beach, Lagos, arresting Onibogi Muftau and impounding four vehicles. Earlier, 472 kilograms of the same substance were seized in Ogun State.

In Edo State, a raid on November 28 led to the arrest of Monday Onyenemue (60) and Evans Omogiede (42) with 185.6 kilograms of cannabis and a Toyota Previa van in Benin City.
The NDLEA continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign with sensitization lectures at schools and markets across Nigeria. NDLEA Chairman, retired Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa, praised the agency’s operatives for their relentless efforts in combating drug trafficking and abuse.

“These operational successes demonstrate our commitment to eradicating drug trafficking and abuse,” Marwa said.
(nationalupdate.ng)