November 23, (THEWILL) — The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intensified its nationwide offensive against drug trafficking networks, dismantling at least six major syndicates and arresting nine suspected kingpins in coordinated, intelligence-driven operations across multiple states.
A statement on Sunday by the agency’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, said the latest raids led to the seizure of several tonnes of illicit drugs, including methamphetamine, cocaine, various strains of cannabis, tramadol, codeine syrup and other narcotics.
In Anambra State, NDLEA operatives on Tuesday, November 18, arrested two members of a drug trafficking cartel in Onitsha after they attempted to collect a consignment containing 5.40kg of methamphetamine, 10.70kg of Loud, 16g of cocaine, 200g of phenacetin, 200g of methcathinone and 100g of caffeine.
The drugs were concealed in pressure machine cylinders imported from South Africa and intercepted at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, on November 13.
The suspects — 30-year-old Ebulue Lotanwa Uzochukwu and 51-year-old South Africa returnee, Christopher Michael Ndibuisi — were arrested during a sting operation at a logistics company in Onitsha.
At the Lagos airport, operatives on Thursday, November 20, intercepted a brake servo auto part stuffed with 48 pellets and a block of cocaine weighing 2.30kg and destined for Gabon.
A freight agent, Ameh Solomon, was arrested, leading to a follow-up raid at the Trade Fair Complex, Ojo, where an auto parts dealer, Nwafor Tochukwu Boniface, was taken into custody.
In Kogi State, NDLEA officers on Monday, November 17, intercepted a trailer conveying 4,700kg of skunk in Kabba and arrested three suspects: Solomon Dauda, Friday Garba and Daniel Danladi.
A subsequent operation in Jos on November 21 led to the arrest of the alleged owner of the illicit cargo, Marcus Danladi Dan Mangu.
In Cross River State, operatives arrested a couple — 55-year-old Onun Okoi Okpotum and 52-year-old Itam Okoi Okpotum — after recovering 362 jumbo bags of skunk weighing 4,706kg from their warehouse in Ugep.
In Edo State, NDLEA personnel arrested 19-year-old Praise Nwogu and 25-year-old Ebong Emem Oghosa in Benin City on November 22 for producing and selling drug-laced brownies online.
Officers recovered baked products infused with illicit substances, alongside skunk and Colorado.
A separate raid in Ososo village on November 18 resulted in the arrest of 35-year-old Shedrack Aminu with 59kg of skunk.
Along the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway, operatives arrested 24-year-old Chinoso Emmanuel Monday on November 19 while transporting 10.1kg of skunk, 105,600 tramadol pills, 700 ampoules of pentazocine and 3,000 rounds of live ammunition.
In Kebbi State, the NDLEA evacuated 13,155 bottles of codeine syrup from a warehouse in Dole-Kaina, Dandi LGA.
A suspect, 23-year-old Umar Adamu, was also apprehended with 12,548 opioid pills concealed in paracetamol containers and allegedly destined for a Boko Haram enclave in Borno.
In separate operations in the Federal Capital Territory and Niger State, officers seized 430.5kg of cannabis along the Abaji–Abuja expressway and arrested 47-year-old Samson Dafe in Tafa LGA with 85,100 opioid pills and 5,456 bottles of codeine syrup. A raid in Shiroro LGA yielded 437 blocks of skunk weighing 471.8kg.
In Lagos, operatives arrested Usman Ayoola Adegoke in connection with 71kg of Canadian Loud recovered from a Lekki apartment.
Another suspect, Oluchi Celestine, was arrested with 2.6kg of Colorado concealed in branded jars alongside flight boarding passes.
A joint NDLEA–military operation on November 17 at the notorious Peti drug enclave on Lagos Island recovered 385kg of skunk, Loud and Colorado, with two suspects arrested.
Additionally, 163,200 tramadol capsules were seized at a motor park in Maza-Maza.
Across several states, the agency continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation programmes in schools, worship centres and communities.
NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive, Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), commended the various commands for their successful operations and urged them to remain alert ahead of the festive season, noting that drug cartels often attempt to step up activities during the period.
“We must not, and we will not, let down our guard,” he said.
The agency reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining a balanced approach to drug control through enforcement and nationwide public sensitisation.
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