The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has announced the seizure of over 1.3 million tramadol and other opioid pills and capsules, as well as approximately 6,000 kilogrammes of cannabis, in a series of operations across Nigeria. The agency valued the seized drugs at more than N3.4 billion. The operations were conducted in Lagos, Edo, Niger, Delta, Ondo, Gombe, and Imo states, as well as the Federal Capital Territory.
Among those arrested was a 49-year-old man, Innocent Ekpe, who allegedly posed as a Deputy Superintendent of Police and used a forged police identity card to move cannabis through security checkpoints in Delta State. Ekpe was arrested on September 16 along the Benin–Onitsha Expressway in Asaba, Delta State, while travelling in a silver Toyota Sienna bus. NDLEA operatives found 292.48 kilogrammes of skunk in the vehicle.
In another operation, NDLEA operatives intercepted 603.75 kilogrammes of Canadian Loud, valued at N1.811 billion, at the Tin-Can Island Port in Lagos. The consignment was concealed in 31 black jumbo bags inside two Toyota Sienna vehicles loaded into a 40-foot container shipped from Montreal, Canada. The container arrived at the port on September 12 and was placed under surveillance following intelligence received by the NDLEA.
A joint examination on September 16 uncovered the drugs. The NDLEA also arrested a second suspect, Nduka Joseph, 39, and recovered 48 kilogrammes of Canadian Loud, 152 grammes of methamphetamine, and a metal box from an auto-repair workshop in Edo State. The workshop was being used to store illicit drugs.
Along the Abaji–Abuja Highway, operatives arrested Aminu Isyaku, 23, and Jamilu Habibu, 25, on September 18, and recovered over 1.1 million assorted tramadol tablets and capsules from eight sacks. The consignment was allegedly being transported from Onitsha, Anambra State, to Mararaba, Nasarawa State. In Lagos, Onyeka Ofor was arrested at his residence in Aguda, Surulere, with 48,900 tablets of tramadol 225mg.
The NDLEA also destroyed a two-hectare cannabis farm in Ita-Ogbolu Forest, Ondo State, and arrested four suspects. The operation led to the destruction of about 5,000 kilogrammes of cannabis plants, while 48 kilogrammes of dry and fresh cannabis were recovered. In Gombe State, operatives recovered 154,480 tramadol capsules from two suspects, Sabi’u Umar, 27, and Hassana Muhammad, 19.
The seizures come amid continued concerns over drug abuse in Nigeria. The agency had reported that the 2018 National Drug Use Survey estimated that 14.3 million Nigerians aged 15 to 64 had used psychoactive substances in the previous year. NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Buba Marwa, commended the officers involved in the operations and urged them to sustain intelligence-led efforts against drug trafficking and abuse.
Key points
- NDLEA seizes over N3.4bn worth of drugs in nationwide operations.
- Man arrested for posing as police officer to transport cannabis.
- Agency destroys two-hectare cannabis farm in Ondo State.
