The Nigerian Navy has arrested three suspected drug traffickers and seized 71 kilogrammes of substances suspected to be Cannabis sativa during a riverine patrol along the River Niger in Kogi State.
The Director of Information, Nigerian Navy, Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, disclosed this on Thursday, saying the suspects were arrested on September 8, 2026, by personnel of NNS Lugard following credible intelligence about the movement of an illicit drug consignment.
According to Folorunsho, the suspected cannabis was hidden inside the rear compartment of a large wooden commercial boat intercepted near Chintako Community Jetty in Bassa Local Government Area of Kogi State.
He said the operation followed intelligence received by the Navy regarding the movement of the suspected drug consignment through the inland waterway.
Following the interception, the three suspects and the recovered consignment were handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Kogi State Command, on September 9 for further investigation and prosecution.
Folorunsho said the NDLEA representative indicated that investigators would work to determine the source and ownership of the suspected cannabis and identify other individuals connected to its supply.
The Navy spokesman said the successful interception demonstrated the importance of intelligence-led maritime operations in preventing the movement of illicit drugs through Nigeria’s inland waterways.
He added that such operations would contribute to efforts to disrupt organised criminal activities and strengthen security across the country’s waterways.
Source: Nigerian Navy
