The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) announced that it intercepted various quantities of cocaine and opioids such as tramadol, pentazocine injection, morphine sulphate, and ketamine injection, among other substances. These drugs were concealed in soles of shoes, clothes, and other items being shipped to the United States, United Kingdom, and Cyprus.
NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this information in a statement yesterday. He revealed that “no less than 250 grams of cocaine going to Cyprus was hidden in soles of custom-made shoes.” Additionally, over five kilograms of opioids destined for the US and UK were found in clothes and other household items meant to be shipped through some courier firms in Lagos.
“In the same vein, a consignment of 440 grams of Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis coming from Canada to Lagos, was equally intercepted by operatives in one of the logistic companies,” Babafemi further disclosed.
Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives in Edo State intercepted a vehicle marked Abuja GWA 273 DD at the Ewu junction, Esan Central LGA, following credible intelligence. The luggage of one of the occupants, Aminu Abdullahi, 32, was searched and found to contain custard containers with 3,000 pills of tramadol 225mg hidden in the custard powder. Abdullahi stated that the drugs were bought in Onitsha, Anambra State, and he intended to sell them in the Mararaba area of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
In another operation, NDLEA operatives raided the Ohen forest in the Abudu area of Edo State last Thursday and destroyed 5,429.751kg of cannabis on 2.918 hectares of farmlands. Four suspects—Godday Ariye, 37; Friday Okafor, 59; Obinna Nwosu, 48; and Yusuf Adamu, 27—were arrested. Additionally, 300 kilograms of the same substance were recovered from Uzzeba Obi camp in Owan West LGA when NDLEA officers raided the location last Saturday.
In Ogun State, NDLEA operatives recovered a total of 2,865 kilograms of cannabis at Afami Ibese last Tuesday. The suspected owner, Umar Ibese, is currently at large.
At least 2,455 kilograms of materials for the production of Akuskura, a new psychoactive substance (NPS), were recovered from a warehouse in Konduga town, Konduga LGA, Borno State, last Tuesday. This operation was conducted jointly with men of the Nigerian Army. The following day, NDLEA operatives in Katsina State arrested a 54-year-old man, Sabo Sule, with 47kg of cannabis in Katsina town.
In Lagos, NDLEA operatives raided a warehouse in VGC, Lekki, last Monday. They recovered 148 cartons of non-medical nitrous oxide, popularly called laughing gas; 108 cartons of fast gas cylinders; 134 pieces of balloons; and 109 cartons of infusion chargers, among other items. A female suspect, Suliyat Abdulsalam, was arrested in connection with the seizure.
In addition to these operations, NDLEA commands and formations across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization activities in schools, worship centers, workplaces, and communities over the past week. These activities included WADA enlightenment lectures for students of St. Louis Grammar School Senior, Mokola, Ibadan, Oyo State; students and staff of Infant Jesus Model Secondary School, Oron, Akwa Ibom State; students and teachers of Ede High School, Ede, Osun State; students of Government Day Secondary School, Kalga Gari, Daura, Katsina State; and students of Rehoboth Secondary School, Okpuno Awka, Anambra State, among others.
While commending the officers and men of the Edo, Borno, Ogun, Katsina, Lagos, and FCT Commands, as well as those of DOGI for their arrests and seizures, NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd) noted that their efforts in reducing drug supply were balanced with WADA sensitization activities. He urged them and their compatriots across the country to maintain the current tempo.
