FEATURES
N3.4bn Drugs Seized as NDLEA Arrests Fake Cop, Mechanic, Others
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted illicit drugs worth more than N3.4 billion in coordinated operations across several states and the Federal Capital Territory, arresting a number of suspects, including a man allegedly impersonating a police officer.
The agency said its operatives recovered more than 1.3 million pills and capsules of tramadol and other opioids, alongside about 6,000kg of cannabis in separate operations.
The NDLEA disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday by its Director, Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi.
One of the major seizures was recorded at the Tin-Can Island Port in Lagos, where operatives intercepted 1,200 parcels of Canadian Loud weighing 603.75kg and valued at N1.81 billion.
According to Babafemi, the shipment arrived from Montreal, Canada, on September 12 and was placed under surveillance following intelligence received by the agency.
He said a joint physical examination conducted by the NDLEA, Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies on Wednesday, September 16, led to the discovery of the consignment.
The drugs were allegedly concealed inside 31 black jumbo bags loaded in two Toyota Sienna vehicles within a 40-foot container.
In Delta State, NDLEA operatives arrested a 49-year-old man, Innocent Ekpe, along the Benin-Onitsha Expressway in Asaba, with 292.48kg of skunk concealed in his Toyota Sienna bus.
Babafemi said investigation revealed that Ekpe allegedly posed as a Deputy Superintendent of Police, using the identity of Godwin Emeka and a forged police identification card to evade scrutiny at checkpoints.
A 39-year-old alleged accomplice, Nduka Joseph, was also arrested.
In Edo State, NDLEA operatives raided an auto-repair workshop on Agbor Road, Benin City, where they arrested 45-year-old Matthew Ossai.
The agency said 48kg of Canadian Loud and 152 grammes of methamphetamine were recovered from the workshop, which it alleged was being used as a cover for storing illicit drugs.
In Niger State, three suspects — Bashir Usman, 20; Abubakar Nuhu, 18; and Abdulrahman Abdulwahab, 18 — were arrested along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway at Chachi, Tafa Local Government Area.
The suspects were allegedly found with two locally fabricated AK-47 rifles, a magazine, a locally made pistol with a magazine and nine rounds of 9mm ammunition concealed in a black travel bag.
Also in Niger State, two suspects, Aminu Isyaku, 23, and Jamilu Habibu, 25, were arrested along the Abaji-Abuja Highway.
More than 1.1 million assorted tramadol tablets and capsules, alongside codeine syrup, methamphetamine and Exol tablets, were recovered from them. The drugs were allegedly concealed in eight sacks and transported from Onitsha, Anambra State, to Mararaba, Nasarawa State.
In Lagos, 48,900 tablets of tramadol 225mg were recovered from Onyeka Ofor, who was arrested at his residence in Aguda, Surulere.
Another suspect, Luke Ugokwe, was arrested after seven cartons of cannabis weighing 59kg were intercepted at a logistics company.
NDLEA operatives also arrested 43-year-old Ibrahim Hudu at Apongbo, Lagos, where 998.38kg of nitrous oxide gas was recovered.
In Gombe State, 154,480 capsules of tramadol were recovered from two suspects, Sabi’u Umar, 27, and Hassana Muhammad, 19, arrested at Barunde and Gombe Main Market respectively.
In Imo State, 25-year-old Ifesinachi Godwin was arrested along the Owerri-Onitsha Road with 43.85kg of skunk.
Meanwhile, in Ondo State, four suspects were arrested during a raid on a cannabis farm in Ita-Ogbolu Forest. The NDLEA said the operation led to the destruction of a two-hectare farm containing an estimated 5,000kg of cannabis.
The suspects were identified as Blessing Effiong, Saviour Peter, David Friday Sunday and Ability Peter Sunday. The agency said 48kg of dry and fresh cannabis was recovered from the farm for prosecution.
Commending the officers and men involved in the operations, NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), urged them to sustain intelligence-led operations against drug trafficking and abuse.
Marwa also called for the continuation of what he described as a balanced approach to drug control efforts across the country.