National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has conducted massive raids across Lagos, Edo, Ondo states, seizing over 44,948.1 kilograms (44.9 tonnes) of illicit drugs and arresting eight suspects, along with the seizure of 11 vehicles owned by drug cartels.
Gatekeepers News reports that this was disclosed on Sunday by Femi Babafemi, the NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy.
In Ondo State, a total of 7,687.8kg of cannabis was destroyed in a warehouse in Ala forest, Akure, with another 670kg evacuated. In Edo State, 14,310.8625kg of cannabis was razed on 5.7 hectares of farms in Ohosu/Ugbogui forest, where five suspects were arrested.
In Uzebba/Avbiosi forest, 6,500kg of cannabis was destroyed on 2.6 hectares of farms, leading to the arrest of three suspects. Additionally, 5,000kg of the same substance was razed in a warehouse in Okpuje forest, Owan West LGA.
In Lagos, a well-coordinated operation led to the seizure of 10,534 kilograms (10.534 tonnes) of Ghanaian Loud, a strain of cannabis, in Ajah, with 11 vehicles seized from the drug cartel.
Announcing further interceptions by the NDLEA, Babafemi said: “In another raid at Ago Palace way area of the state on Friday 22nd March, a suspect, Miracle Obi was arrested with 1,006 ampoules of pentazocine injection; 50 tablets of tramadol 225mg; 89 bottles of codeine syrup and 2,360 ampoules of Diazepam injection.
“Another suspect, Kareem Mustapha was earlier on Tuesday 19th March nabbed along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway with 25,000 pills of tramadol and 5,900 ampoules of pentazocine injection.
“While 58kg cannabis was recovered at Jagindi village, Kafanchan LGA, Kaduna State on Friday 22nd March, Abdulqadir Muhammad, 34, was arrested with 45 kilograms of same substance by NDLEA operatives along Kaduna- Zaria expressway.
“In Borno state, Salisu Yusuf, 20, was nabbed with 30kg Arizona, a strain of cannabis at Njimtilo checkpoint on Saturday 23rd March, while another suspect, Rabiu Husseini, 27, was arrested with 34kg cannabis along Gwagwalada/Abuja highway on his way from Lagos to Katsina state on Wednesday 21st March. The following day, 22nd March, NDLEA officers on patrol along Gashua-Baymari road, Busari LGA, Yobe state arrested Haladu Hassan with 160 blocks of cannabis sativa weighing 50kg.”
He continued, “In Kano state, a syndicate dealing in cocaine and heroin was successfully dismantled with the arrest of 42-year-old Onyeka Uba at Sabon Gari area of Kano where 1.805 kilograms and 7grams of the illicit substances were recovered from him on Monday 18th March. Another suspect, Ubale Sani, 49, was also arrested with 51.5kg cannabis at Chiromawa area of Kano.
Operatives of a special operation unit of NDLEA also disrupted criminal activities of another cocaine syndicate in Abuja at the weekend with the arrest of three leaders of the group. While Nnajiofor Celestine Kenechukwu, 41, and Okoro Chigozie Christian, 35, were arrested on Friday, March 22, at Paint House Hotel, Umar Garba Benna Street, 21 Road, First Avenue, Gwarimpa Abuja with 718 grams of cocaine.
“A follow up operation at the residence of Okoro Chigozie at House 30, 69B Road 6th Avenue Gwarimpa, led to the recovery of 19 blocks of Arizona, a strain of cannabis weighing 9.823kg and monetary exhibits: N545,500 and $250, as well as property documents. Two vehicles: Toyota Camry 2007 marked BWR 94 BM and Toyota Camry 2012 marked RBC 154 BS were also recovered from them.
“Another follow up operation to the residence of Nnajiofor Celestine Kenechukwu at 49 Mercy Orjiakor street, Becky Estate 11, Karu, Nasarawa state on Saturday 23rd March also led to the recovery of various quantities of Arizona and methamphetamine while his girlfriend and accomplice, Ifemenam Oge was arrested.”
NDLEA Chairman/CEO, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), commended the officers and men for their outstanding feats and reiterated the agency’s commitment to intensify WADA advocacy lectures across the country.
