NDLEA intercepts N3.4bn Loud, opioids, arrests fake police officer, mechanic-drug dealer
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has seized over 1.3 million pills and capsules of tramadol and other opioids, along with 6,000 kilograms of various cannabis strains, during operations across eight states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The total estimated street value of the seized substances exceeds 3.4 billion Naira.
In a statement issued Sunday in Abuja, NDLEA spokesman Femi Babafemi reported that these operations took place in Lagos, Edo, Niger, Delta, Ondo, Gombe, Imo states, and the FCT. A significant find included 1,200 parcels of Canadian Loud, a potent cannabis strain weighing 603.75 kilograms and valued at 1.811 billion Naira. This consignment was intercepted at the Tin-Can Island Port in Lagos, following intelligence that led agents to monitor a 40-foot container shipped from Montreal, Canada.
The container, which arrived on September 12, underwent a joint examination by NDLEA officials, customs, and other security agencies on September 16. The search revealed that the 1,200 parcels were concealed within 31 black jumbo bags packed into two Toyota Sienna vehicles.
In Delta State, NDLEA agents arrested 49-year-old Innocent Ekpe on September 16 along the Benin-Onitsha Expressway in Asaba. Investigators discovered 292.48 kilograms of skunk hidden in his vehicle. Ekpe allegedly attempted to evade detection by impersonating Godwin Emeka, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, using a forged identification card. A suspected accomplice, Nduka Joseph, aged 39, was also arrested.
In Edo State, operatives raided an auto-repair workshop on Agbor Road in Benin City, where they apprehended 45-year-old Matthew Ossai. The search yielded 48 kilograms of Canadian Loud and 152 grams of methamphetamine, which were reportedly stored at the workshop.
In Niger State, three suspects — 20-year-old Bashir Usman, 18-year-olds Abubakar Nuhu and Abdulrahman Abdulwahab — were arrested on September 15 along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway. They were allegedly found with two locally manufactured AK-47 rifles, a pistol, and a quantity of ammunition.
Additionally, Aminu Isyaku, 23, and Jamilu Habibu, 25, were captured along the Abaji-Abuja highway on September 18 with over 1.1 million assorted tramadol tablets and capsules, codeine syrup, methamphetamine, and Exol tablets concealed in eight bags.
In Lagos, Onyeka Offor was arrested at his home in Surulere on September 18 with 48,900 pills of tramadol (225 mg). Further investigations led to the interception of seven cartons of cannabis weighing 59 kilograms, resulting in the arrest of suspect Luke Ugokwe. Ibrahim Hudu, aged 43, was also detained in Apongbo on September 17 with 998.38 kilograms of nitrous oxide gas.
In Gombe State, NDLEA operatives recovered 154,480 capsules of tramadol from two suspects, Sabi’u Umar, 27, and Hassana Muhammad, 19, who were arrested on September 18. In Imo State, Ifesinachi Godwin, 25, was taken into custody along the Owerri-Onitsha Road that same day with 43.85 kilograms of skunk.
Additionally, four suspects were detained during a raid on a cannabis farm in Ita-Ogbolu Forest, Ondo State, on September 15. The operation resulted in the destruction of 5,000 kilograms of cannabis plants and the recovery of 48 kilograms of dry and fresh cannabis.
Babafemi noted that NDLEA formations throughout the country continued their “War Against Drug Abuse” (WADA) awareness initiatives during the week. These included lectures at various schools and an advocacy visit to a local king in Delta State.
NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.) commended the agency’s officers for their professionalism and intelligence-driven operations, urging them to maintain a balanced approach in the ongoing fight against drug abuse.
