The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted a large consignment of illicit drugs with a combined street value of over N3.4bn in operations across several states and the Federal Capital Territory. The agency seized over 1.3 million pills of tramadol and other opioids, as well as about 6,000kg of cannabis. This significant seizure was made possible through intelligence-driven operations conducted by NDLEA operatives.
One of the major seizures was made at the Tin-Can Island Port in Lagos, where 1,200 parcels of Canadian Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, weighing 603.75kg and valued at N1.81bn, were intercepted. The shipment, which arrived from Montreal, Canada, on September 12, was placed under intensive monitoring following intelligence received by the agency. A joint physical examination with the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies was conducted on September 16, leading to the discovery of the concealed cannabis.
In Delta State, NDLEA operatives arrested a 49-year-old man, Innocent Ekpe, who allegedly impersonated a senior police officer to evade scrutiny at checkpoints while transporting illicit drugs. Ekpe was arrested along the Benin-Onitsha Expressway in Asaba, with 292.48kg of skunk concealed in his silver Toyota Sienna bus. Investigation revealed that Ekpe had allegedly been parading himself as Godwin Emeka, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, using a forged police identification card.
The NDLEA also arrested several suspects in Edo State, Niger State, Lagos, Gombe State, Imo State, and Ondo State, in separate operations. In Edo State, operatives raided an auto-repair workshop on Agbor Road, Benin City, where they arrested 45-year-old Matthew Ossai and recovered 48kg of Canadian Loud and 152g of methamphetamine. In Niger State, three suspects were arrested along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway with two locally fabricated AK-47 rifles and a cache of ammunition.
In Lagos, 48,900 pills of tramadol 225mg were recovered from a suspect, 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. Additionally, 998.38kg of nitrous oxide gas was recovered from 43-year-old Ibrahim Hudu at Apongbo, Lagos.
The NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), commended the officers and men of the affected commands for their efforts in making the significant seizures. He urged them to sustain the agency's intelligence-driven operations and called for the continuation of a balanced approach to drug control efforts across the country. The NDLEA's efforts aim to curb the proliferation of illicit drugs and bring perpetrators to justice.
The agency's operations resulted in the arrest of several suspects, including a fake police officer and a mechanic, and the seizure of large quantities of illicit drugs. The NDLEA's actions demonstrate its commitment to combating the menace of drug trafficking and abuse in Nigeria. The agency's efforts have led to the recovery of over N3.4bn worth of drugs, a significant blow to the illicit drug trade in the country.
Key points
- The NDLEA intercepted over N3.4bn worth of drugs in operations across several states and the Federal Capital Territory.
- A fake police officer and a mechanic were among the suspects arrested by the NDLEA.
- The agency's operations resulted in the seizure of large quantities of illicit drugs, including tramadol, cannabis, and methamphetamine.
