IN a series of coordinated operations, the anti-narcotics agency has intercepted massive drug shipments and arrested key figures in an international trafficking syndicate.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dealt a significant blow to drug trafficking networks with a series of interceptions and arrests across Lagos, Katsina, Kaduna, and Edo states, seizing illicit substances valued at over N10 billion.
A 55-year-old businessman, Onuigbo Ndubisi Chinedu, who deals in clothing at the popular Balogun Market on Lagos Island, has been arrested for attempting to export 3.30 kilogrammes of cocaine to the United Kingdom. The consignment was intercepted at the export shed of Lagos airport on Wednesday 22 July, concealed within the walls of cartons used to package foodstuffs.
Syndicate Unravelled
In the course of investigation, three cargo agents – Nkwor Onyekachukwu Justina, Adeleke Abiola Taoheed, and Ukanwa Grace Pilgrim – who handled the shipment were initially arrested, leading to the detention of Kenneth Okakpu, who delivered the consignment to the agents. Okakpu’s arrest provided the crucial lead that ultimately identified Onuigbo as the kingpin behind the syndicate. He was eventually arrested while attempting to send another consignment of cocaine to the UK.
Other Major Interceptions
In a separate operation, 31-year-old entrepreneur Emmanuella Chukwu-Edo was arrested at her Surulere residence on Tuesday 21 July following the seizure of her consignment of 2.80kg of Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, which had arrived from the United States aboard a United Airlines flight.
At the Apapa seaport in Lagos, a container of three vehicles used to conceal 4,777 sachets of Canadian Loud, weighing 2,388.5kg and worth over N7.1 billion in street value, was uncovered during a joint examination of the shipment on Monday 20 July.
Furthermore, a staggering Two Million Two Hundred and Forty (2,240,000) pills of Tapentadol 250mg, worth over N2.2 billion, were recovered from a shipment from India aboard an Air Maroc flight during a joint examination of cargo on Friday 24 July, based on intelligence processed by the NDLEA. This followed the seizure of a consignment of tramadol buried in containers of black soap destined for the UK.
Ammunition Seizures and Raid Operations
In Katsina state, 30-year-old Mustapha Sani was nabbed on Wednesday 22 July during a patrol operation at Baure, Safana LGA, found with 323 rounds of military-grade ammunition, including 200 pieces of 7.62mm and 123 rounds of 7.6mm neatly concealed. Another suspect, Abubakar Amadu, 30, was arrested during a stop-and-search operation at Jere along the Abuja-Kaduna expressway with 73 RLA 7.62mm ammunition hidden in kegs of red oil. Both suspects have been handed over to the relevant security agency for further investigation.
In Edo state, raid operations at Ilushi community, Esan South East LGA, on Sunday 19 July led to the seizure of 1,286kg of cannabis and 86kg of cannabis seeds from a warehouse. Additionally, Ojore Onweze, 45, was caught with 60kg of skunk, and George Agwumede, 30, was nabbed with 13kg of the same substance.
WADA Sensitisation Continues
Alongside enforcement operations, the Agency continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation activities, including lectures at Government Day Secondary School in Sabon Wuse, Niger state; Government Girls Secondary School in Shekara, Kano; and Otto Primary School in Ebute Metta, Lagos.
Marwa Commends Officers
While commending the officers and men of the DOGI, MMIA, Apapa, Edo, Kaduna, and Katsina Commands for their successful operations, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), enjoined them and their colleagues across the country to continue with the ongoing balanced approach to the Agency’s drug control efforts.
