Drug suspects arrested by NDLEA operatives
National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said it has recorded major breakthroughs in its ongoing clampdown on drug trafficking, with a haul of over 38,000 tramadol pills discovered hidden in a vehicle in Adamawa State, and more than 70,000 kilograms of cannabis destroyed in forests across Ekiti and Ondo states.
Spokesperson for the agency, Femi Babafemi, in a statement released on Sunday, said the seizures and arrests were part of intensified efforts to disrupt drug supply chains across the country.
In Adamawa, operatives intercepted a suspect identified as Bello Buba at a checkpoint in Namtari, located in Yola South Local Government Area, on Sunday, October 12.
According to Babafemi, the suspect had concealed 38,270 tramadol pills in the spare tyre, boot, and door compartments of a Honda Civic which he drove into Nigeria from Benin Republic.
Cannabis plantations set ablaze in Ekiti and Ondo forests
Meanwhile, a major operation in Ilawe-Ekiti, Ekiti State, led to the destruction of a sprawling 21.3-hectare cannabis farm, wiping out approximately 53,250kg of skunk. Additionally, 1,140kg of processed cannabis stored in 70 bags was recovered during the raid, which spanned October 12 to 13.
Three suspects were apprehended: Matthew Emmanuel, 26; James Moses, 27 and Israel Samuel, 20
In a related operation on October 12, NDLEA operatives stormed a 6.96-hectare cannabis farm in the Aponmu Forest Reserve, Akure, Ondo State, where they destroyed 17,400kg of skunk.
Drug traffickers nabbed in Oyo, Ogun, Enugu, and Imo
In Oyo State, the agency arrested four suspects — Aliyu Muhammed (50), Babarinde Segun (32), Ogunbiyi Sanjo (30), and Ajani Oluro (30) — with 596kg of cannabis at Apata-Ako, Igboora. On the same day, Jacob Afolabi (30) and Salako Oluwatobi (25) were caught in Odo-Oyan, Igangan with 273kg of the same substance.
In Ogun State, operatives seized 88kg of skunk from Joseph Andrew at Ona-Imeko on October 15.
In Imo State, Festus Udoh, 42, was arrested with 13,000 pills of opioids along the Onitsha–Owerri Road.
The agency also discovered 74.5kg of cannabis at the residence of Joseph Chukwujamaa in Umuogbo-Agu Village, Enugu State, during a raid on October 18.
Massive codeine haul at Apapa Port
In Lagos, NDLEA operatives recovered 117kg of skunk from a suspect’s hideout in the Mushin area on October 18.
Also at the Apapa seaport, a joint inspection with Customs and other security agencies led to the interception of a container carrying 80,000 bottles of codeine-based syrup. The shipment, which had been placed on the NDLEA’s watchlist, originated from India.
The agency’s advocacy arm, the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA), also scaled up outreach efforts during the week, holding sensitization lectures in schools across Ekiti, Katsina, Rivers, Jigawa, Kano, Edo, Enugu, and Ogun States.
Some of the schools visited include:
Commercial Grammar School, Igogo-Ekiti
Junior Secondary Smart School, Kasarawa, Katsina
Government Technical College, Ahoada, Rivers
St. Peter’s College, Olomore, Abeokuta
The Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), praised the operatives involved in the various operations across the country.
“I commend the officers and men of MMIA, Apapa, Lagos, Ekiti, Adamawa, Oyo, Enugu, Ogun, Ondo, and Imo Commands for their dedication and results. I urge them and their counterparts nationwide not to relent in their commitment to our balanced approach in the fight against drug abuse and trafficking,” Marwa said.
