The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has reported a series of arrests and major drug seizures across several states, including the interception of cocaine, codeine-based syrup, tramadol, cannabis and other controlled substances.
Among the operations was the arrest of a 48-year-old businessman, Nwankwo Onyebuchi, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, while allegedly attempting to travel to New Delhi, India, with 1.55kg of cocaine concealed inside his luggage.
The NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, disclosed the development in a statement on Sunday.
According to Babafemi, Onyebuchi was arrested at the departure hall of Terminal II while attempting to board a Qatar Airways flight to India.
A search of his check-in luggage reportedly uncovered the cocaine, which had been concealed inside the walls and railings of the bag.
The suspect, who reportedly deals in marble in Lagos, allegedly told investigators that he sold his business and other assets to raise N23 million to purchase the consignment.
He reportedly hoped to sell the cocaine in India for as much as N100 million.
“Nwankwo said he had sold off his marble business and every asset he owned to raise the ₦23 million he paid for the consignment.”
The NDLEA said the suspect remains in custody pending prosecution.
N2.6bn Codeine Consignment Seized in Lagos
In another operation in Lagos, NDLEA operatives acting on intelligence raided a warehouse located inside a residential compound at Hakeem Dosumu Street in the Ago Palace area of Okota.
The operation, conducted between August 7 and 8, resulted in the seizure of 3,776 cartons containing 377,600 bottles of codeine-based syrup, estimated by the agency to be worth more than N2.6 billion.
Operatives also raided the residence of an alleged drug kingpin, 55-year-old Shoremi Kayode, in Ipaja Estate.
The agency said the operation led to the recovery of 324kg of Colorado, a synthetic strain of cannabis, with an estimated street value of N972 million.
A Mercedes-Benz and a Toyota Corolla were also recovered during the operation.
Multiple Arrests and Seizures Across Seven States
The NDLEA said its operations extended to Kwara, Oyo, Delta, Plateau, Kano and Edo states, resulting in additional arrests and seizures.
In Kwara State, operatives arrested Abubakar Adamu, 50, and Bilyaminu Nuhu, 30, at Kam Wire in Ilorin on August 13. The agency said 55.96kg of skunk was recovered from a truck.
In Oyo State, Abdulfatai Oyelaran, 70, and Abdulrauf Ajadi, 50, were arrested along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on August 12. Operatives reportedly recovered 52,000 ampoules of pentazocine injection and 6,000 ampoules of tramadol injection from their Toyota Sienna.
Delta Operation
NDLEA operatives in Delta State intercepted Osaro Ikpoba, 43, and Samuel Godbless, 18, along the Onitsha-Asaba Expressway.
The agency said the suspects were found with 124,100 pills of tramadol, 786 bottles of codeine syrup, 2,598 tablets of rohypnol, 4,800 tablets of diazepam, 470 ampoules of pentazocine and 200 ampoules of tramadol.
Another suspect, Emeka Tony, 50, was arrested along the Kwale-Ozoro Expressway with 1,244 cartridges and N8 million.
Plateau: Nearly 240,000 Tramadol Capsules Recovered
In Plateau State, operatives intercepted a Toyota Corolla along the Riyom-Jos Road and recovered 239,490 capsules of Tramaforce, a brand of tramadol.
A suspect identified as Kasum Sherif was arrested in connection with the seizure.
Kano: Over 728,000 Opioid Pills Seized
The NDLEA also reported a major seizure in Kano State, where six suspects were arrested along the Zaria-Kano Road on August 10.
The suspects were identified as Okodili Ibeabuchi, 60; Onyeka Vincent, 47; Nwanko Wisdom, 36; Success Chigozie, 30; Emmanuel Jude, 27; and Chinedu Peter, 39.
Operatives reportedly recovered 728,958 pills of tramadol, rohypnol and other opioids, alongside 360g of cocaine, 99.8g of methamphetamine, 50 bottles of codeine syrup and 2.7kg of Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis.
Another operation in Zawaciki Gida Dubu, Kumbotso Local Government Area, on August 14 led to the seizure of 171 blocks of skunk weighing 106.8kg.
Two suspects, Mustapha Iliya, 30, and Abdulwahab Abdulrashid, 24, were arrested.
Edo: Cannabis Farms Destroyed
In Edo State, NDLEA operatives destroyed 4,628.9775kg of skunk recovered from two cannabis farms covering about 1.85 hectares in the Ugboku/Igbanke forest area of Orhionmwon Local Government Area.
A 40-year-old suspect, Agholor Elebojie, was arrested at one of the farms during the August 12 operation.
Another suspect, Kingsley Anigala, 28, was arrested during a raid on drug joints in Oluku, Benin City.
The NDLEA said operatives recovered 25.857kg of Loud and 93g of methamphetamine from him.
NDLEA Continues Drug Prevention Campaign
Beyond arrests and seizures, the agency said its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy programme continued during the week.
Sensitisation lectures were held for students and staff of Madarasatu Sheikh Muhammad Rabi’u Arabic School in Kano and Olomu Junior Secondary School in Ajah, Lagos State.
NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), commended personnel involved in the operations across Lagos, Kano, Kwara, Edo, Plateau, Oyo and Delta.
Marwa also praised officers across the agency for maintaining what he described as a balance between drug supply reduction and demand reduction, through both enforcement operations and public awareness campaigns.
Source: National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
