A substantive numbers of cannabis, weighing 2,217.6 kilogram and a 40-ft trailer load of skunk have been seized by the operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at Abuja.
Femi Babafemi, the Director of Media and Advocacy, on Sunday disclosed the federal agency made this interception while being distributed into six vehicles at an abandoned fuel station in the Kagini area of Kubwa, Abuja, which was meant for onwards distribution to some part of Northern States.
Babafemi said this operation was made possible following an intelligence-led operation carried out on Saturday at around 1:20 am, which led to the seizure of six vehicles and the arrest of 42-year-old Isaac Desmond.
“The consignment was loaded onto the trailer at Uzebba in the Owan local council area of Edo State,” Babafemi stated.
On 25 October, 2024, the federal agency revealed that a traditional chief priest of the Igunuko shrine at Alpha Beach, Ajah Lekki of Lagos State, Bariu Aliu, known as Malo, who evaded arrest for over three-month has been arrested in connection to alleged drug trafficking.
Over 2,760 kg of skunk were said to have been found in the traditionalist shrine.
“Though two of his accomplices were earlier arrested at the shrine last year and had since been charged and convicted in court, Bariu was said to be the leader of the syndicate.”
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In a similar vein, the NDLEA officers at Nyanya apprehended two suspects, Anthony Nnamdi, 42, and Abba Ali, 27, for the possession of 1.398 kg of cocaine and a precursor substance used in preparing crack cocaine.
Also, the federal agency acknowledged officers of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation, DOGI, in NDLEA had recovered no fewer than 20 wraps of cocaine weighing 330 grams from a cargo heading to Australia at a logistics firm in Lagos.
The agency stated, “The cocaine parcels were concealed around the body of face cream containers in the shipment.”
Furthermore, Babafemi said that following credible information, the NDLEA seized about 338,200 bottles of codeine-based syrup worth more than N1,190,168,200.00 in street value, concealed in two containers.
“The illicit consignments were discovered during a joint examination of the containers by NDLEA operatives, Customs, and other security agencies on Thursday 9th and Friday 10th January 2025 at the Port Harcourt Ports Complex, Onne, Rivers State.”
“A suspect, Habibu Ya’u, 23, was nabbed by NDLEA officers who raided Gadar Tamburawa, Zaria Road, Kano, on Thursday, 9th January, where they recovered 45 blocks of cannabis weighing 24.2 kg and 40,800 pills of opioids, including tramadol, from him.”
The federal agency highlighted their commitment to halting illegal drug trafficking across the country with a sensitisation programme titled War Against Drug Abuse (WADA), which is held in schools, worship centres, and other places.
The agency noted key areas visited include students and staff of Ijaye Housing Estate Junior Secondary School, Lagos State; surrendered Boko Haram members at Hajj Camp, Maiduguri, Borno State; among others.
The Chairman of Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), hailed the effort of the officers of DOGI, FCT, PHPC, Lagos, and Kano for their successful operation as the war against drug trafficking continues.
