In a series of coordinated operations spanning eight states, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has achieved significant success, resulting in the apprehension of 24 drug traffickers and dealers.
The largest seizure occurred in Nasarawa state, where NDLEA operatives intercepted a truck bearing the registration Lagos JJJ 64 YC, laden with 367 jumbo bags of cannabis sativa weighing 4,037 kilogrammes. This bust, made possible by actionable intelligence, foiled an attempt to transport the contraband from Akure, Ondo State, to the Shabu area in Lafia, the state capital.
Among the apprehended suspects are Shuaibu Yahaya Liman (35), Monday Audu (33), and Linus Samuel (42), who were linked to this interception.
Additionally, a 42-year-old man was caught smuggling a substantial quantity of concealed opioid pills to an insurgent’s enclave in Banki, alongside a pregnant woman and four other female accomplices. These operations also led to the seizure of over 7,609 kilogrammes of various illicit drugs.
Operatives in Abuja, FCT, arrested Jibrin Shuaibu (23) and Prosper Innih (17), intercepting 169 bags and 80 blocks of compressed cannabis sativa weighing 1,961.5 kilogrammes concealed in a truck bearing the registration Ogun WDE 557 XC. This truck was apprehended during a routine stop and search operation along the Abaji–Abuja highway while en route from Uzeba to Dei-Dei, FCT.
In a separate operation in Abuja, Abdulhameed Dauda (27) was arrested with 89 kilogrammes of the same psychoactive substance concealed in his truck in Owo, Ondo State, destined for delivery in FCT.
Simultaneously, Hassan Ade (30) was intercepted transporting 696.5 kilogrammes of the same substance from Idoani, Ondo State, to Gwagwalada and Dei-Dei in FCT. Subsequent investigations led to the arrest of a mother of three, Mrs. Joy Chukwuka (42), linked to this illicit consignment.
In Ondo State, NDLEA operatives not only seized 633.5 kilogrammes of cannabis at Eleyere, Ogbese in Akure North LGA but also recovered 59 jumbo bags of the same substance concealed in a truck bearing the registration GAD 287 XA, destined for the Northern part of the country. In an attempt to mask the odour of the psychoactive weed, detergents were sprayed on the cannabis bags, with 192 packs of table water loaded on top to conceal the contraband.
Similarly, NDLEA officers in Kano arrested Bashir Attahir (58) in the Bachirawa area of the state with 216,000 pills of tramadol 250mg. In another operation, Ejike Moses Nmenme (47) was nabbed with 25,190 capsules of tramadol, along with Rohypnol and codeine syrup, in the Emir Road area of Sabon Gari.
In Borno State, Ahmad Mohammed (42) was apprehended at the Bama checkpoint with 20,000 capsules of tramadol concealed in his luggage while en route to deliver the consignment in Banki, a border region between Nigeria and Cameroon.
Furthermore, in Oraifite and Umuni-Evili, Aguleri, Anambra State, six suspects, including a six-month pregnant woman, were arrested for dealing in illicit substances. Seized from them were over 6 kilogrammes of cannabis, tramadol, diazepam, and codeine syrup.
In Lagos, Boluwatife Adebayo, Omolade Fola Adebayo, and Ogah Sunday Adole were among the suspects arrested during raids in different parts of the state. Ogah Sunday Adole and Boluwatife Adebayo were apprehended at Agidingbi, Ikeja, in connection with 220 grammes of cannabis, 10.6 litres of codeine syrup, and other psychotropic substances. Meanwhile, Omolade Fola Adebayo was nabbed at Ijesha with various quantities of cannabis, codeine syrup, Rohypnol, and Molly.
Amidst these successful drug supply reduction operations, NDLEA also conducted the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy campaigns in schools, markets, worship centres, and communities across the country.
Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, commended the commendable efforts of the Nasarawa, FCT, Ondo, Kano, Borno, Edo, Anambra, and Lagos Commands of the Agency. He urged them and their counterparts nationwide to continually strive to surpass past feats in their drug supply and demand reduction efforts.
