Felix Temitope, Abuja
DAILY COURIER - In a coordinated midnight operation, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) intercepted a 40-foot trailer loaded with 2,217.6 kilograms of skunk, a potent strain of cannabis, at an abandoned fuel station in Kagini, Kubwa, Abuja.
A statement today by the agency's spokesperson, Femi Babafemi disclosed that the operation, which occurred at 1:20 a.m. on Saturday, January 11, 2025, led to the seizure of six vehicles used for distributing the illicit substance and the arrest of a key suspect, 42-year-old Isaac Monday Desmond.
The intercepted vehicles, including a Toyota Van, Toyota Camry, Toyota Sienna, JAC Hilux truck, Toyota Corolla, and a Vento Passat, were set to transport the drugs to northern states. The consignment was reportedly loaded in Uzebba, Edo State.
Intercepting Cocaine Bound for Australia
In Lagos, the NDLEA struck again, preventing 20 wraps of cocaine weighing 330 grams from being smuggled to Australia. The cocaine was cleverly concealed in face cream bottles within a shipment at a logistics firm. This operation was conducted by the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation (DOGI), showcasing the agency’s commitment to halting drug trafficking through unconventional means.
₦1.1 Billion Codeine Shipment Intercepted in Rivers
At the Port Harcourt Ports Complex in Onne, Rivers State, NDLEA operatives uncovered 338,200 bottles of codeine-based syrup valued at over ₦1.19 billion. Acting on intelligence, the agency worked alongside Customs and other security agencies to conduct a joint examination of two flagged containers on January 9 and 10, 2025.
Manhunt Ends with the Arrest of Traditional Priest in Lagos
The NDLEA also arrested Bariu Aliu, alias Malo, the chief priest of the Igunuko shrine in Ajah, Lagos, after a three-month manhunt. Aliu is believed to be the leader of a drug syndicate linked to the recovery of 2,760 kilograms of skunk at the shrine in October 2024. Two of his accomplices had already been arrested and convicted.
Ongoing Drug Busts Across the Country
In Kano, a raid on Gadar Tamburawa, Zaria Road, led to the arrest of Habibu Ya'u, 23, with 24.2 kilograms of cannabis and 40,800 opioid pills, including tramadol. In Abuja’s Nyanya area, two suspects, Anthony Nnamdi, 42, and Abba Ali, 27, were nabbed with 1.398 kilograms of cocaine and a precursor used in producing crack cocaine.
WADA Campaign Expands Nationwide
While intensifying its enforcement operations, the NDLEA continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign, hosting sensitization programs in schools, mosques, and communities. Highlights included advocacy at Ijaye Housing Estate Junior Secondary School in Lagos, a visit to surrendered Boko Haram members in Maiduguri, and discussions with traditional leaders in Kano.
NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), lauded the dedication of officers in the FCT, Lagos, Rivers, and Kano commands. “Their successes reflect the balanced approach to reducing both the supply and demand for illicit drugs,” Marwa stated, reinforcing the agency’s commitment to creating a drug-free Nigeria.
The NDLEA’s relentless crackdown on drug trafficking highlights its resolve to dismantle networks and curb the spread of illegal substances across the nation.
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