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.”

Fear and panic gripped residents of Emure-Ile in Emure Local Government Area, Ekiti State, after gunmen ambushed a commercial bus transporting travellers from Onitsha, Anambra State, to Ado-Ekiti on Sunday night.
The heavily armed attackers dragged the passengers, including the driver, Mr. Sunday Emmanuel, into the bush, leaving behind some children whose cries attracted passersby early Monday morning.
A source at the Road Transport Employer Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) disclosed that the kidnappers have contacted the driver’s family, demanding a staggering N30 million ransom for each victim.
“They let me speak with the driver briefly before stating their demands,” the source said. “We’re still waiting for their next call.”
Security operatives are said to be combing the surrounding forests in search of the victims, while families remain gripped by fear as negotiations continue.
The incident highlights the growing insecurity along Nigerian highways and calls for intensified efforts to combat kidnapping and protect road users.

***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)