1.5 million Tramadol tablets are intercepted by the NDLEA on their way to Kebbi, Kano; other drugs are intercepted at the Lagos airport and seaport.
According to a statement by Femi Babafemi, Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, about one million, five hundred thousand tablets and capsules of pharmaceutical opioids such as Tramadol, Exol-5, and Diazepam loaded in Onitsha, Anambra state and headed to Yauri, Kebbi state were intercepted in Edo state by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, on Friday 14th January.
On the same day, 425,000 Diazepam tablets were also recovered at Segemu, Kano.
Furthermore, a suspected bandit and a drug kingpin in Plateau state were apprehended with a total of N1, 413,344 cash as well as arms and ammunition, while over 137.754 kg of varied illicit drugs were confiscated during interdiction operations throughout seven states in the last week.
On Friday, January 14, 2022, operatives in Edo state intercepted a trailer traveling from Onitsha to Yauri in Kebbi state based on solid intelligence. Psychotropic drugs were discovered hidden behind legitimate items after a thorough inspection of the truck.
Among the drugs recovered from the truck are; Tramadol: 394,480 capsules and 3,000 tablets weighing 83.707kg, Exol-5: 647,500 tablets weighing 203.315kg, Diazepam: 12,500 tablets weighing 2.05kg, Bromazepam: 1,500 tablets weighing 0.45kg, Codeine-based Syrup: 999 bottles weighing 134.865kg, and Pentazocine injections: 4,000 ampoules weighing 16.64kg.
Bashir Lawali, 30, the truck driver, was arrested together with Abubakar Sani, 30, and Ali Abubakar, 19, while one Sa’idu Yahya, 31, has also been apprehended in Kano, he’s said to be responsible for the exhibits.
In a related development, attempts by drug traffickers to export 73 parcels of cannabis (34.05kg) concealed in foodstuff plastic containers to the United Kingdom through the NAHCO export shed of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja Lagos, were foiled by operatives on the 8th of January, while another 50 parcels of cannabis consignment (27.25kg) destined for the United States were intercepted at the airport’s export shed on Tuesday 11th of January, and at least 3 persons have been arrested in connection with the crime.
Illicit drug traffickers’ attempts to transport 94 packets of cannabis indica (Colorado) weighing 43.4kg into Nigeria through the Tincan seaport in Lagos were foiled on January 13th when operatives intercepted the substance inside a 40-foot container from Canada.
The substance was reportedly hidden inside a Toyota Camry automobile.
This followed a similar seizure of 59 packets of Colorado (17.3kg) hidden in a Mercedes Benz car imported from Canada on January 11th.
Another fake security agent, Babagana Maaji, was also detained in Plateau state after a controlled delivery of 5.6kg cannabis from Lagos. The suspect, who is from Damaturu in Yobe state, was apprehended after a commercial bus carrying the package from Lagos to Gombe in Mararaban Jos was intercepted on the 8th of January, 2022.
On Tuesday, January 11th, operatives from NDLEA’s Plateau command arrested Abdullahi Usman Ahmad, 28, a suspected bandit, at Hwolshe, with a Beretta pistol, seven rounds of live ammunition, two empty shells, 12 grams of cannabis sativa, a pair of handcuffs, and N1, 136,344 cash suspected to be ransom money received from kidnapping activities, as well as an Opel car with registration number ZAR35LQ.
In a similar vein, Chibueze Okoro John, 42, the leader of a cocaine distribution ring in Plateau, was apprehended along Zaria road in Jos, with quantities of cocaine and Tramadol recovered from him, as well as a Sienna Bus (BWR 584 AL), a Toyota Camry car (RBC 461 BF), and the sum of N 277, 000, which the suspect offered to the narcotic officers as bribe but was rejected.
The attempt by Ejike Obiora, 38, to smuggle varying quantities of Cocaine and Heroin into the Nigerian Correctional Centre, Ogwashi-Uku, Aniocha South LGA, in Delta state, was halted on January 8th, when he was discovered to have concealed the drugs in consumables meant for inmates.
Also, another 598kg of cannabis was discovered during a search in Ondo state’s Owo area, with the two owners, Arataye Raimi, 41, and Tope Osinnuwa, 36, being apprehended in subsequent operations.
In a similar vein, one Abdullahi Mohammed was apprehended in Potiskum, Yobe state, in connection with the seizure of 48.5 blocks of cannabis, while another fake security agent, Dike Davison, was apprehended in Aliade, Benue state, with 50 grams of cannabis and 29 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition.
On Friday 14th January, in Abuja, FCT, a buy and bust operation resulted in the arrest of one Habib Yusif, 41, with a total of 28.2kg cannabis recovered from him, while on Thursday 13th January, in Osun state, the trio of Samuel Joseph, Francis Ujor, and Sola Johnson were arrested in Onikoko village Area 5, Ile-Ife, with 100 bags of cannabis weighing 1,530 kilograms recovered from them.
Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, praised the officers and soldiers of the various commands for their outstanding efforts and promised them that their sacrifices, dedication to duty, and extraordinary exploits would be rewarded.
Source: NDLEA Official Facebook Page.
