Felix Temitope, Abuja
DAILY COURIER - The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has thwarted multiple attempts by drug syndicates to export large consignments of cocaine, methamphetamine, and opioids to destinations including the United Kingdom, Italy, Turkey, and Qatar. In a series of coordinated intelligence-led operations, the agency intercepted the illicit drugs and apprehended key players in the trafficking networks.
Major seizures at airports
According to a statement today by Femi Babafemi, the spokesperson of the agency, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos, NDLEA operatives intercepted 13 parcels of cocaine weighing 4.40kg bound for the UK via Frankfurt on November 5, 2024. Following this, the suspected mastermind, Ekeocha Anayo Nelson, was arrested on November 8.
On November 11, another trafficker, Adegbite Solomon, alias “Obama,” was arrested at the Lagos airport while attempting to smuggle 7,800 tramadol pills, 180 rohypnol tablets, and 60 bottles of codeine to Italy. The drugs were hidden in food items. Solomon claimed to have previously lived as a street beggar in Europe before venturing into drug trafficking.
Similarly, on November 15, operatives at MMIA arrested Anoke Kingsley Roomy with 1,100 pills of tramadol 225mg concealed in his luggage. He was en route to Istanbul, Turkey.
At the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) in Abuja, a hotel raid on November 15 led to the arrest of two suspects, Omeh Uchenna Jude, 36, and Anene Valentine Chigozie, 34, with 1.8kg of methamphetamine. The drugs were allegedly destined for Qatar.
Busts in Lagos and border operations
In Lagos, NDLEA’s Special Operations Unit arrested Akande Moruf Olasunkanmi at his residence in Surulere, where 1.8kg of methamphetamine was recovered after weeks of surveillance.
A trans-border trafficker, Emmanuel Okechukwu Okeke, was intercepted with 50,000 tramadol pills smuggled from Ghana in the body compartments of a Toyota Hummer bus. The vehicle, belonging to GUO Transport Company, was stopped on the Lagos-Badagry expressway on November 16.
Raids across states yield results
In Edo State, NDLEA operatives seized 997kg of cannabis in multiple operations. A Sienna bus carrying 680kg was intercepted in Oghada forest, while 180.5kg and 136.5kg were recovered from suspects and properties in Ofosu and Otuo communities, respectively.
On the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, 88.3kg of cannabis was recovered from Ifejimagha Chinonso. In Kano, Ahmed Goni was arrested on November 15 with 65,730 tramadol capsules on the Kano-Zaria road.
In Kwara, Adio Sulaiman was apprehended with 120.8kg of cannabis and codeine, while in Imo, Kelechi Obichere was nabbed with 75kg of cannabis. Oyo operatives recovered 563.74kg of cannabis from 60-year-old Anthony Anakabi in Ibadan.
Nationwide anti-drug campaign
Beyond enforcement, NDLEA intensified its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign with sensitization programs in schools, worship centers, and workplaces across states, including Adamawa, Rivers, Benue, Sokoto, Kano, Anambra, and Lagos.
Commendation for officers
NDLEA Chairman/CEO Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) lauded the efforts of operatives nationwide for their successes in both supply and demand reduction. He emphasized that their balanced approach has significantly advanced the agency’s mission to combat drug trafficking and abuse in Nigeria.
The NDLEA remains resolute in its commitment to ensuring a drug-free society, urging citizens to report suspicious activities through designated channels.
