June 7 (THEWILL) — The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intensified its nationwide crackdown on illicit drug trafficking with the interception of large consignments of opioids concealed in building materials in Taraba State.
The agency also arrested several suspected traffickers across the country, including a 75-year-old man in Ebonyi State and four female suspects in Edo, Imo, Kano, and Gombe states.
In a statement signed on Sunday by its Spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, the anti-narcotics agency disclosed that the operations formed part of its sustained offensive against drug cartels and dealers operating across different parts of Nigeria.
In one of the most significant seizures recorded during the operations, NDLEA operatives acting on credible intelligence on Saturday intercepted a truck transporting building materials from Onitsha, Anambra State, to Jalingo, Taraba State.
The vehicle was stopped and thoroughly searched at the Nukkai Timber Shade area of Jalingo, where officers discovered a large quantity of illicit drugs concealed beneath the cargo.
A 22-year-old suspect, Buhari Abdullahi, was immediately arrested in connection with the seizure.
According to the agency, recovered exhibits included 320,840 capsules of tramadol, 600 ampoules of pentazocine injections, 4,500 Rohypnol tablets, and 299 bottles of codeine-based cough syrup.
The seizure is regarded as a major setback for drug trafficking syndicates involved in the movement and distribution of opioids within the country.
In Ebonyi State, NDLEA operatives arrested a 75-year-old suspect identified as Okebe Samuel at Okposi community.
The agency said the elderly suspect was found in possession of 300 grams of skunk, a strain of cannabis, allegedly packaged in retail sachets for sale to young people in the community.
The arrest, according to the agency, underscores its determination to enforce drug laws irrespective of the age of offenders.
In Imo State, officers raided a known drug enclave in Umulolo, Orlu, resulting in the arrest of a suspected female drug dealer, Chioma Okeke, aged 32. During the operation, operatives recovered eight kilograms of skunk from the suspect.
Meanwhile, NDLEA personnel in Edo State carried out an extensive operation across notorious drug hotspots in Benin City on Tuesday, June 2, leading to the arrest of four suspected traffickers, including three women.
At Uyosa area of Benin City, two female suspects — Chioma Igba, 24, and Precious Ozomah, 22 — were arrested with multiple illicit substances comprising 176 grams of skunk, 65 grams of Loud, and five grams of methamphetamine.
Another female suspect, Anita Abraham, 21, was apprehended along Agbor Road with 95 grams of Scottish Loud and 329 grams of regular Loud.
At the Upper Mission area of the city, a 43-year-old suspect, Henry Okey, was arrested with various psychotropic substances including Loud, Colorado, Swinol, and methamphetamine.
Further operations in Kano State led to the arrest of 19-year-old Saifullahi Lawan at Kafi area of Madobi on Thursday, June 4. The suspect was reportedly found with 40 blocks of skunk weighing 38 kilograms.
Similarly, in Gombe State, operatives intercepted 28-year-old Ugwu Sabastine Ifebuchi near Dantiti Plaza in the Tumfure area on Monday, June 1. The agency said he was found in possession of 15,000 capsules of tramadol.
Beyond enforcement activities, NDLEA said it also sustained its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy campaign across various schools and communities nationwide.
During the week, sensitisation programmes were conducted at Holiness Foundation Primary School in Saki, Oyo State; Dorras High School in Ibeju Lekki, Lagos State; Ado Girls Secondary School in Onitsha, Anambra State; and Army Day Secondary School in Kano State, among others.
Reacting to the operations, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended officers and personnel in Taraba, Ebonyi, Imo, Edo, Kano, and Gombe states for their vigilance and commitment.
Marwa also praised commands nationwide for maintaining what he described as a balanced approach between drug supply reduction and demand reduction strategies. He reiterated the agency’s resolve to continue dismantling drug trafficking networks across the country.
“The agency remains fully committed to dismantling drug supply chains and will continue to target traffickers regardless of age, gender, or concealment methods,” he stated.
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