Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have launched massive raids across Lagos, Edo and Ondo State leading to the seizure of over 44,948.1 kilograms (44.9 tonnes) of illicit drugs.
The operation also led to the arrest of eight (8) suspects and seizure of eleven (11) vehicles owned by the drug cartels.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Agency’s Director, Media and Advocacy, Mr. Femi Babafemi on Sunday.
The statement revealed that “While a total of 7, 687.8kg of cannabis was destroyed in a warehouse in Ala forest, Akure, Ondo State with another 670kg evacuated, on Saturday 23rd March 2024, no less than 14,310.8625kg of same psychoactive substance was razed on 5.7 hectares of farms in Ohosu/Ugbogui forest, Ovia South West LGA, Edo State on Tuesday 19th March, where five suspects including 67-year-old Sunday Otulugbu; Agbayeogor Joshua, 39; Kelvin Ofuasia,45; Williams Peter, 37; and Kamaru Onimisi, 44, were arrested.”
It also disclosed that in another operation in Uzebba/Avbiosi forest on Thursday, March 21, over 6,500kg cannabis were destroyed on 2.6 hectares of farms, where three suspects: Kabiru Idris, 36; Alaba Jimoh, 40; and Lekan Asobere, 35, were arrested.
Similarly, 5,000kg of same substance was razed in a warehouse in Okpuje forest, Owan West LGA by the law enforcement’s operatives with support from the military on Friday, March 22.
“In Lagos, a well-coordinated operation on Wednesday 20th March led to the seizure of 10,534 kilograms (10.534 tonnes) of Ghanaian Loud, a strain of cannabis in Ajah area of the State where 11 vehicles were seized from the drug cartel.
“The recovered vehicles include: Iveco truck marked KRD 522 YE; Toyota sienna marked AAA 338 GL; Toyota sienna marked AAA 308 EP; Toyota sienna marked FKJ 381 JC; Nissan bus marked EKY 846 YG; Mercedes bus marked EPE 743 XT; an unmarked Iveco J5 bus; Toyota sienna marked LSD 744 GP; Toyota highlander SUV marked KTU 280 FN; Toyota sienna marked AAA 333 GH and Toyota sienna marked FKJ 208 HV.”
It was also stated that; “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.”
NDLEA also highlighted the outcome of its operation in other states saying; “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.”
In a related development, 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 State, where 1.805 kilograms and 7 grams 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.”
In the same vein, operatives of a special operation unit of the agency also disrupted criminal activities of another cocaine syndicate in Abuja during the weekend with the arrest of three ‘leaders of the group’.
Consequently, the duo of Nnajiofor Celestine Kenechukwu, 41, and Okoro Chigozie Christian, 35, were arrested.
“On Friday 22nd March 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 added.
The agency further mentioned that its various commands across the country intensified efforts with the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy campaign in the past week which include; WADA sensitisation lecture for students and teachers of Government Day Secondary School, Damaturu, Yobe; Government Secondary School, Afaha Ukwa, Akwa Ibom.
Total Child School, Awka, Anambra and Celestial Church of Christ High School Oke-Ado, Ibadan, Oyo State, among others were also part of the campaign.
In his remarks, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa commended the officers and men of the Lagos, Edo, Ondo, Kano, Borno, Kaduna, and FCT Commands as well as the Special Operations unit of the Agency for their outstanding feats in the past week.
Gen. Marwa also lauded their counterparts in all the commands across the country for intensifying their WADA advocacy lectures in schools, markets, motor parks, worship centres and work places.
