Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted 500 components suspected to be used for improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Niger State, while also arresting a Cameroonian national transporting a consignment of synthetic cannabis known as “Colorado” in Kogi State.
The NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, disclosed the operations in a statement highlighting a series of arrests and seizures carried out by the agency across several states.
According to the statement, NDLEA operatives on patrol along the Kabba–Obajana highway in Kogi State on March 3 intercepted a package containing 1.550 kilograms of Colorado, a synthetic strain of cannabis.
The illicit drug was hidden inside a carton of a standing fan and was traced to a 36-year-old Cameroonian national, Mey Ali Muhamat, who hails from Maroua in the Republic of Cameroon.
Investigations revealed that the suspect was travelling in a commercial bus from Lagos to Cameroon through Lokoja, Kano, and Maiduguri when he was apprehended.
500 IED Components Intercepted in Niger
In a separate operation in Niger State, NDLEA officers on patrol along the Mokwa–Jebba road on March 4 intercepted a commercial bus travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, with 500 pieces of suspected IED components concealed inside a white sack.
The items were reportedly meant for delivery to a recipient in Pelegi.
A follow-up operation led to the arrest of the intended recipient, Osama Abdullahi, 21, in Pelegi, Mashegu Local Government Area of the state.
In Adamawa State, NDLEA operatives in Yola discovered 122,000 pills of tramadol and 700 grams of methamphetamine concealed in a false compartment of a truck marked ENU 645XX.
The truck was reportedly transporting 2,000 cartons of locally made drinks when the illegal drugs were uncovered on March 4.
Meanwhile, in Kano State, officers arrested Muhammed Ali, 20, at Gadar Tamburawa on March 3 with 11,283 pills of tramadol.
More Arrests in Ogun, Delta, Edo
In Ogun State, NDLEA operatives carried out a raid in Ogere, leading to the arrest of Nazifi Mudansir and Kabiru Musa who were found with 46 kilograms of skunk, a strong strain of cannabis.
Similarly, in Delta State, two suspects — Joy Chukwuma, 25, and Eugene Felix, 22 — were apprehended in Ogwashi-Uku on March 7 with 18.63kg of skunk, 10.8 litres of codeine-based syrup, and 4,268 pills of tramadol and swinol.
Another major operation in Edo State led to the arrest of Eke London, 48, and his accomplice Austin Isusi, 49, at Egbisi Forest in Uhumwonde Local Government Area, where NDLEA operatives destroyed 1,910.25kg of skunk cultivated on two farms.
In a related operation at Ikhin town in Owan East LGA, officers arrested Alaba Adeboye, 47, with 176.50kg of skunk.
Beyond enforcement, the agency also intensified its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign through sensitisation programmes in schools, religious centres and communities across the country.
Recent enlightenment lectures were delivered at institutions including Government Senior College, Apata in Ibadan, Government Girls Secondary School, Katcha in Niger State, Government Girls Day Secondary School, Tsafe in Zamfara, Sango Junior Secondary School in Agege, Lagos, Government Day Secondary School, Illelah in Sokoto, Archbishop Akinola International Secondary School, Afikpo in Ebonyi, and Nnamdi Azikiwe Secondary School, Abagana in Anambra.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Mohamed Buba Marwa, commended officers and personnel of the agency’s commands in Lagos, FCT, Kano, Niger, Kogi, Edo, Ogun, Delta, and Adamawa for their efforts.
He urged them to sustain the agency’s balanced strategy of enforcement and prevention in tackling drug abuse and trafficking across Nigeria.
