News

Five Dead, Three Injured as Suicide Bombers Attack Maiduguri Suburb

Published

8 years ago

August 6, 2018

Eric

Five suspected Boko Haram suicide bombers on Sunday night sneaked into a neighbourhood of Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, to carry out attacks that eventually claimed only their own lives, officials and witnesses said.

The blasts, however, injured three other residents.

Multiple deafening explosions, a first of its kind to be heard by residents in recent times, echoed all over Maiduguri at about 7 p.m. causing panic among residents.

PREMIUM TIMES investigations gathered that the multiple blasts came from Kalari, a crowded Maiduguri suburb located behind the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.

Witnesses said the suicide bombers were five, comprising two males and three teenage girls, who walked to one of the houses near Kalari market and knocked at the gate, pretending to be visitors.

“When the owner of the house opened the gate, the teenage girl detonated the bomb she was wearing in her body but it only killed her and injured three other persons,” said Biliya Kabiru, a resident of Kaleri.

“The other suicide bombers, who were probably scared by the pandemonium generated by the first blast had to quickly detonate their suicide vests, but at various spots where no one was affected but only themselves,” the source added.

The spokesman of the Civilian-JTF, Danbatta Bello, confirmed the incident to PREMIUM TIMES via a telephone interview.

“It was a sad incident, but we thank God none of the innocent residents lost their lives except the suicide bombers themselves”, he said.

“They were five suicide bombers that invaded Kalari; comprising an old man and a boy of about 12 years old and three teenage girls. But the explosions they caused only injured three persons – two by the walls that the explosion brought down and a woman.In a makeshift house near the attacked spot. All of the injured are currently receiving treatment at the hospital,” he said.

Kaleri is one of locations within Maiduguri that used to be a den of Boko Haram members.

There is still belief among residents that the area still harbours a large number of Boko Haram members or their passive supporters.

It was in the same Kalari that 22 Boko Haram suspects were arrested including eight who confessed to have participated in the abduction of Chibok schoolgirls in 2014.

Premium Times

News

IGP Disu Removes Benjamin Hundeyin As FPRO

Published

13 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Eric

The Inspector General of Police, Tunji Disu, has reportedly removed Benjamin Hundeyin as the Force Public Relations Officer (PRO) and replaced him with a new appointee, though the name hasn’t been officially announced.

Hundeyin was previously serving as the Lagos Command PRO before being promoted to the national role.

This move comes as part of Disu’s efforts to revamp the Nigeria Police Force and improve its public image.

As the 23rd IGP, Disu has emphasized professionalism, accountability, and transparency, warning officers that there will be no tolerance for misconduct or abuse of power.

News

Assets Declaration: Court Dismisses NDLEA’s Case Against Abba Kyari

Published

14 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Eric

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, dismissed a case filed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), against suspended DCP Abba Kyari on allegations bordering on non-disclosure of assets.

Justice James Omotosho dismissed the suit, filed against Kyari and his younger brothers, Mohammed Kyari and Ali Kyari, for failure of the anti-narcotic agency to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.

The judge held that the burden of proving a case beyond reasonable doubt falls in the prosecution which it had failed to do so.

The ruling covers only asset declaration allegations. Other cases including drug related offences are still ongoing.

News

NDLEA Nabs UK-wanted Drug Lord after 15-Year Hunt

Published

20 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Eric

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 58-year-old fugitive drug lord, Uzoma Valentine Ilomuanya, who had been on the wanted list of Nigerian and British authorities for over 15 years.

His arrest was disclosed in a statement on Wednesday by spokesman of the agency, Mr. Femi Babafemi.

Ilomuanya, according to the agency, was apprehended in Lagos on Monday, February 23, 2026, following what officials described as a high-stakes, well-coordinated operation by officers of the Agency’s Special Operations Unit.

He was first arrested in February 2003 in the United Kingdom and later convicted for drug trafficking.

He was sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment but released after serving two years following a successful appeal.

In July 2011, Ilomuanya was again arrested in the UK for drug-related offences.

Though granted administrative bail, he absconded and fled to Nigeria, evading further prosecution.

In November 2018, NDLEA operatives arrested him in Nigeria after uncovering two clandestine methamphetamine laboratories — one at his country home in Obinugwu, Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State, and another at his residence in Lagos.

During the operation, officers recovered 77.960 kilograms of methamphetamine and extensive drug production equipment.

He was subsequently charged before a Federal High Court in Lagos but later jumped court bail, remaining on the run until his latest arrest.

Reacting to the development, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), described the arrest as a major breakthrough in the agency’s sustained crackdown on drug trafficking networks.

“This arrest serves as a stern warning to those who think they can hide behind borders to escape justice. Whether you jump bail in London or set up clandestine labs in your village, the long arm of the NDLEA will eventually catch up with those who choose to undermine the health, security, and future of our nation,” Marwa said.

He added that the Agency remains committed to strengthening intelligence-led operations and deepening international collaboration to prevent Nigeria from becoming a safe haven for global drug cartels.

Marwa commended officers of the Special Operations Unit for their professionalism, resilience, and diligence in tracking down the fugitive, stressing that the NDLEA remains unwavering in its resolve to dismantle drug trafficking networks operating within the country.

The agency is expected to proceed with legal action against Ilomuanya in the coming days.