The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has reported a number of successful operations in Nigeria, which led to the interception of large drug shipments and the arrest of several suspects.
Oladimeji Samson, a 57-year-old man in Oyo State, was caught on a commercial bus at the Ibadan section of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway with 79 blocks of cannabis sativa weighing 44.4 kg and 48 grams of ecstasy hidden in the engine compartment below the driver’s seat.
On Sunday, in a statement by Femi Babafemi, the Director of Media and Advocacy for the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and made available to Africa Health Report (AHR), the agency reported the seizure of 875 cartons of codeine. This seizure included 175,000 bottles, weighing a total of 26,250 kg. The operation took place during a joint examination conducted by the NDLEA, Customs Service, and other security agencies on June 7, 2024. The container, marked HASU 4787890, originated from India and was destined for the C to C bonded terminal in Enugu.
Additionally, NDLEA operatives seized 17,980 pills of tramadol and other opioids from Ali Isiaka Mohammed, 36, in Ganaja Village, Lokoja LGA, Kogi State. In Kaduna, Blessing Samuel, 35, and Unnanchi Mike, 34, were caught with 804 bottles of codeine syrup at Narayi. Meanwhile, Tijjani Umar, 37, and Yahaya Suleman, 35, were arrested with 33.9 kilograms of cannabis sativa in Lafiya area, Kudan LGA.
Further arrests were made across various states: Onyekachi ThankGod Iwula, 42, with 1,098 bottles of codeine-based syrup in Benue State; Hasana Usman, 20, with 25 blocks of cannabis sativa weighing 28.2 kg in Bauchi State; and Ali Mohammed, 42, with 19,000 pills of tramadol 225 mg in Yobe State.
In Lagos, NDLEA officers intercepted five parcels of illicit drugs hidden in ladies’ clothes and synthetic hair, destined for the US and UK. In Kebbi State, Hassan Mummuni, a 32-year-old Nigerien, was found with 4,000 pills of diazepam and 1.25 kg of cannabis in pesticide tanks. In Gombe State, Ibrahim Abubakar (aka Alhajiji) was arrested with 6,740 pills of tramadol and 20,000 tablets of diazepam.
On June 8, NDLEA operatives raided Toaabora Hills in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, arresting nine suspects and recovering 83.01 kg of cannabis.
NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd.), commended the efforts of the agency’s officers and emphasized the importance of their ongoing drug supply reduction and sensitization activities.
“These seizures and arrests highlight our commitment to combating drug trafficking and abuse. I urge all officers to maintain their dedication and intensity in these efforts,” Marwa stated.
