NDLEA Seizes N3.4bn Drugs, Nabs Fake Cop and Accomplices Across States

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has announced a significant breakthrough in its fight against illicit substances, seizing over 1.3 million pills of tramadol and other opioids, alongside approximately 6,000 kilograms of cannabis. These operations, conducted across various states and the Federal Capital Territory, have an estimated street value exceeding N3.4 billion.

A major highlight of these seizures occurred at the Tin-Can Island Port in Lagos, where NDLEA operatives intercepted 1,200 parcels of Canadian Loud, a highly potent cannabis strain. This consignment weighed 603.75kg and is valued at N1.81 billion. According to a statement released on Sunday by Mr. Femi Babafemi, the NDLEA's Director of Media and Advocacy, the shipment originated from Montreal, Canada, and arrived on September 12. Following credible intelligence, the agency placed the container under intense surveillance. A joint physical inspection with the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies was carried out on Wednesday, September 16. This search led to the discovery of the 1,200 parcels of Canadian Loud, cleverly hidden within 31 large black bags, which were themselves loaded into two Toyota Sienna vehicles inside the 40-foot container.

In Delta State, NDLEA operatives apprehended 49-year-old Innocent Ekpe on Wednesday, September 16, along the Benin-Onitsha Expressway in Asaba. Ekpe was caught with 292.48kg of skunk concealed in his silver Toyota Sienna bus. Investigations revealed that Ekpe had been allegedly posing as a Deputy Superintendent of Police named Godwin Emeka, utilizing a forged police identification card to bypass security checkpoints while transporting his illicit cargo. An accomplice, Nduka Joseph, aged 39, was also arrested in connection with this incident.

Furthermore, in Edo State, an intelligence-led raid on an auto-repair workshop situated on Agbor Road, Benin City, resulted in the arrest of 45-year-old Matthew Ossai. Authorities recovered 48kg of Canadian Loud and 152 grams of methamphetamine from the premises, which the agency suspects was being used as a cover for drug storage.

The agency's operations extended to Niger State, where three suspects – Bashir Usman (20), Abubakar Nuhu (18), and Abdulrahman Abdulwahab (18) – were arrested along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway at Chachi, Tafa Local Government Area. They were found in possession of two locally fabricated AK-47 rifles, a magazine, a locally made pistol with its magazine, and nine rounds of 9mm ammunition, all hidden inside a black travel bag.

Separately, in Niger State, two individuals, Aminu Isyaku (23) and Jamilu Habibu (25), were apprehended on Friday along the Abaji-Abuja Highway. From their possession, over 1.1 million assorted tablets and capsules of tramadol, codeine syrup, methamphetamine, and Exol tablets were recovered. These drugs were reportedly concealed in eight sacks and being transported from Onitsha, Anambra State, to Mararaba, Nasarawa State.

In Lagos State, arrests included Onyeka Ofor, from whose Aguda, Surulere residence 48,900 pills of tramadol 225mg were seized. Luke Ugokwe was also arrested after seven cartons of cannabis, weighing 59kg, were intercepted at a logistics company. Additionally, 43-year-old Ibrahim Hudu was apprehended at Apongbo, Lagos, with 998.38kg of nitrous oxide gas.

Gombe State saw the recovery of 154,480 capsules of tramadol from Sabi’u Umar (27) and Hassana Muhammad (19), who were arrested at Barunde and Gombe Main Market, respectively.

In Imo State, 25-year-old Ifesinachi Godwin was arrested along the Owerri-Onitsha Road, found with 43.85kg of skunk.

Finally, in Ondo State, a raid on a two-hectare cannabis farm in Ita-Ogbolu Forest led to its destruction and the arrest of four suspects: Blessing Effiong, Saviour Peter, David Friday Sunday, and Ability Peter Sunday. The farm was estimated to contain 5,000kg of cannabis, and 48kg of both dry and fresh cannabis were recovered for evidence and prosecution.

Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), the Chairman of the NDLEA, lauded the dedication of the officers and men across the commands involved in these operations. He encouraged them to maintain the agency’s intelligence-driven strategies and continue employing a balanced approach in all drug control efforts nationwide.