Felix Temitope, Abuja
DAILY COURIER - The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intensified its crackdown on drug trafficking networks, making significant arrests and seizures across the country. The agency’s latest operations disrupted attempts to smuggle large consignments of narcotics, including cocaine, tramadol, and codeine, while intercepting psychoactive substances in multiple states.
On Sunday, December 15, 2024, NDLEA operatives at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano, intercepted a businessman, Olisaka Chibuzo Calistus, attempting to smuggle 256 wraps of cocaine weighing six kilograms into Nigeria.
The arrest, made during the inward clearance of Ethiopian Airlines flight ET 941 from Abidjan via Addis Ababa, marks the largest cocaine seizure at MAKIA since the NDLEA established its command there in 2006.
Olisaka, who claimed to be an import-export trader, was caught after body scans revealed he had concealed the cocaine pellets within his body.
At Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, NDLEA officers thwarted an attempt by ex-convict Olanrewaju Bada Akorede to export rohypnol to South Africa. The drugs were hidden in cargo containing gari, shoes, and men’s singlets.
Olanrewaju, previously convicted for attempting to ship tramadol and rohypnol, had served a two-year sentence with an option of a fine. Released after paying the fine, he resumed his illegal activities but was apprehended once again.
On December 18, 2024, Cynthia Akaeen, an Italy-based businesswoman, was arrested at Lagos airport with 9,190 tablets of tramadol weighing six kilograms. She confessed to being promised €1,000 for delivering the consignment in Italy.
In Onitsha, Anambra State, a warehouse raid on December 17, 2024, uncovered 418,330 tramadol pills and 8,000 bottles of codeine syrup.
At Tincan Island Port, Lagos, a container originating from India was found to hold 180,000 bottles of codeine syrup. The consignee, Makata Emmanuel, was arrested.
In Borno State, NDLEA seized 293,000 tramadol capsules, a pistol, and live ammunition from suspects in Maiduguri. Another suspect was caught with 260,000 tramadol capsules and 50 liters of a new psychoactive substance, "suck and die."
Other interceptions include: Oyo State, a suspect was arrested with 33.5 kilograms of cannabis sativa in Ayete.
Enugu State, a raid at Aria New Market yielded 94 kilograms of cannabis. While a consignment of 32 kilograms of ephedrine, destined for the South East, was intercepted at Maza-Maza.
In addition to enforcement, the NDLEA continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization programs in schools and communities, educating students and staff in Adamawa, Kano, and Kebbi States about the dangers of drug abuse.
The Chairman/CEO of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), praised the efforts of officers involved in the operations, urging them to remain relentless in their fight against drug trafficking. “These successes highlight our commitment to reducing drug supply and demand,” Marwa said.
The NDLEA’s recent achievements underscore its dedication to safeguarding public health and security, even as it intensifies efforts to dismantle drug networks across the nation.
