Rita Enemuru, Reporting
THE First Niger Bridge is one of the busiest arteries in the region, carrying lorries, tankers and traders between the South-East and South-South. But on the morning of 3 June 2026, a routine stop-and-search by the Delta State Police Command’s Special Enquiry Unit uncovered something far more sinister than plumbing materials.
Officers pulled over a Mercedes truck with registration number KRV 837 ZN, driven by 47-year-old Obinna Nwosu, a resident of Oba in Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State. Nwosu claimed to be transporting plumbing supplies. A meticulous search of the vehicle told a different story.
Hidden among the legitimate cargo were: 13,000 sachets of 100mg Tramadol, 100 sachets of 225mg Tramadol, 100 sachets of Swinol, 300 sachets of Rohypnol, 60 sachets of Codeine Phosphate tablets, 100 tablets of MDMA – known on the street as ‘Molly’
Nwosu was immediately taken into custody. The police have confirmed that investigations are ongoing to identify other members of the trafficking network.
‘Monkey Tail’ and a Raid in Alegbo Community
On the same day, in a separate intelligence-led operation, the Command Anti-Vice Squad raided a suspected drug distribution point in Alegbo Community, Owa-Alero, within Ika North East Local Government Area.
Two suspects were arrested: Henry Edward and Okwudili Kingsley. According to preliminary investigations, the pair were allegedly running a drug distribution network in the area.
Recovered from them were five gallons of a fermented cannabis mixture popularly known as ‘Monkey Tail’, along with large quantities of substances believed to be Indian hemp and other illicit drugs. Both suspects remain in police custody as further enquiries proceed.
CP Tours Expressway: ‘Policing Must Have a Human Face’
Two days after the drug busts, on 5 June, the Commissioner of Police for Delta State, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, undertook a visibility and supervisory tour of key locations along the Ughelli-Patani Expressway.
His route covered Edjekota Junction, Evwreni Junction, Ohoro Junction, and other stop-and-search points.
Addressing officers on duty, Oyeniyi praised their vigilance but issued a sharp reminder: misconduct will not be tolerated.
‘Officers must be properly dressed, maintain a smart appearance, and conduct themselves in a manner that reflects the core values of the Nigeria Police Force,’ he said.
He also warned against any form of abuse, harassment or incivility, stressing that ‘policing must be carried out with a human face and in strict adherence to human rights standards’.
The commissioner reiterated that illicit drugs remain a major enabler of cultism, armed robbery, kidnapping and other violent offences. He urged members of the public to support the police with timely and credible information.
A Statement from the Command
In a press release signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, the command described the operations as a ‘major breakthrough’ in the ongoing fight against illicit drug trafficking and abuse.
‘The commissioner commended the operatives for their diligence and professionalism,’ the statement read. ‘He reiterated the command’s resolve to sustain aggressive operations against drug trafficking and other organised crimes.’
As of 6 June, all three suspects remain in custody. The exhibits – including the 13,000 sachets of Tramadol and the five gallons of Monkey Tail – are being held as evidence.
For residents of Delta State, the message is clear: the police are watching the bridges, the backstreets and the behaviour of their own officers. Whether that translates into a sustained crackdown remains to be seen. But for one week, at least, the traffickers have taken a significant hit.
