In a bid to tackle drug trafficking and substance abuse, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) is intensifying its efforts. Femi Babafemi, Director of Media & Advocacy at NDLEA Headquarters, revealed in a press release today the agency’s latest successes in combating drug trafficking and abuse nationwide.
He noted that In a significant interception operation, the vigilant operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) apprehended a 40-year-old businessman identified as Ejike Chibuke Solomon at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) in Abuja.
Ejike was on the verge of boarding an Ethiopia Airlines flight number 950 bound for Vietnam via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia when NDLEA officers, in a patient search, discovered 1.45 kilograms of cocaine concealed within his luggage. The arrest happened on Saturday, March 2, 2024. Upon interrogation, the apprehended suspect maintained that he was embarking on a business trip to Vietnam.
In another coordinated crackdown on drug trafficking activities, a specialised unit of the NDLEA conducted a series of raids on Friday, March 1, targeting a syndicate operating in methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin trade across various locations in Lagos.
The operation commenced with a raid on the residence of Esimone Amachukwu Christopher at 14 Arochukwu Street, Ejigbo, where 40-year-old Evelyn Nneka Okem, an associate of Esimone, was found in possession of a significant quantity of methamphetamine weighing 10.012 kilograms. Notably, Esimone managed to evade capture and is currently on the run.
Simultaneously, another team of officers raided the residence of 45-year-old Ebele Edwin Iwuegbunam at Plot 1604 Close D, 4th Avenue, Festac town, Lagos. During this operation, Ebele Edwin Iwuegbunam was apprehended and law enforcement recovered 429.5 grams of cocaine and 7 kilograms of heroin from his premises.
Moreover, in an operation along the Okene-Lokoja-Abuja expressway on Friday, March 1, NDLEA officers nabbed a commercial bus registered as GRM 347XA (Borno). Upon thorough inspection, the officers discovered a substantial amount of illicit substances concealed within the vehicle.
The contraband included 28 compressed blocks of cannabis sativa weighing 11 kilograms, 100 bottles of codeine-based cough syrup, and 500 tablets of diazepam. These illegal substances were ingeniously hidden in three plastic drums disguised with cattle fats. The bus was headed for Jos, Plateau State.
Furthermore, a suspect identified as Hassan Muhammad, aged 34, was arrested by NDLEA operatives on Saturday, March 2, with a significant cache of tramadol pills totaling 44,950 at Moranti area in Borno state.
In a separate operation conducted in Abia state on Thursday, February 28, the Anti-Drug officers raided a drug joint situated at Cemetery Barracks in Aba. During the raid, Ifeanyi Uche, aged 37, was taken into custody after being found in possession of varying quantities of cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine.
Additionally, another raid was conducted at the abandoned Eyinmba Hotel located in Ogbor Hill, Aba, on Friday, March 1, resulting in the seizure of illicit substances and the apprehension of suspects.
Amidst these happenings, the various commands of the Agency across the country continued their relentless efforts in the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy campaign throughout the past week.
Notable activities included WADA sensitisation lectures conducted for students and teachers at Fobin Primary and Secondary School in Idiroko, Seme, Lagos; Army Barracks Grammar School in Mokola, Ibadan, Oyo state; State Model Secondary School in Awka, Anambra state; Government Girls Secondary School in Okumgba-Ama, Ogoloma, Okrika, Rivers state; and community leaders and residents of Lapan community in Gombe state, among others.
In recognition of the exemplary achievements in the past week, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), commended the officers and personnel of various commands including NAIA, Abia, Ogun, Kogi, Lagos, Seme, Borno, and Kano Commands of the Agency, as well as those of the Special Unit. He praised their dedication and efforts in intensifying the WADA advocacy lectures across the country.