Felix Temitope, Abuja
• Arrests two suspects, seizes large consignments across seven states and FCT
DAILY COURIER - The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted multiple illicit drug shipments destined for the United States, Saudi Arabia, Poland, Italy, and the United Arab Emirates, cleverly hidden in prayer beads, board game packs, and female clothing. The interceptions, made through logistics firms and at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos, led to the arrest of at least two suspects.
One of the arrested individuals, 43-year-old Jakpor Egware May, was caught at the Gate ‘C’ departure hall of Lagos airport on March 8 while attempting to board an Air France flight to Italy. Upon searching her luggage, NDLEA operatives discovered 190 parcels of Tramadol 225mg and a parcel of skunk, a potent strain of cannabis. She admitted to purchasing the drugs herself with the intention of reselling them in Italy.
Similarly, a 60-year-old suspect, Yahaya Fatai Ayinla, was arrested at the MMIA export shed on March 11 while attempting to ship a cargo containing clothes used to hide 400 grams of skunk bound for New York, USA. Further interceptions at various logistics companies in Lagos uncovered over two kilograms of Loud, Molly, and Tramadol 365mg, 225mg concealed in Vitamin C bottles and female clothing. Additionally, NDLEA operatives seized 230 grams of cocaine hidden in prayer beads, soles of locally made shoes, and board game packs, all set for shipment to Saudi Arabia, Poland, and the UAE between March 10 and March 12.
Beyond Lagos, NDLEA conducted successful raids across multiple states, leading to significant drug seizures and arrests. In Kano, operatives intercepted 727 blocks of compressed skunk weighing 479kg from a 40-year-old suspect, Hassan Haruna, at Chalawa on March 12. Meanwhile, in Kogi, 58,300 Tramadol pills were confiscated from a commercial bus en route to Abuja along the Kabba-Obajana highway on March 11.
In Kaduna, NDLEA raided Kachia on March 13 and arrested 21-year-old Idris Hamza with 4,900 Tramadol 225mg pills. Another operation in Hayin Banki, Kaduna North, on March 14 resulted in the arrest of 25-year-old Aminu Magaji, from whom 2,900 Tramadol 225mg tablets were recovered. Similar operations in Kwara led to the seizure of 40,200 Tramadol tablets from two suspects, Olowoko Faruk and Akeem Ridwan, along Ilorin-Jebba Expressway on March 14, while another suspect, Salisu Usman, was caught with 21,700 capsules along Eiyenkorin Expressway, Ilorin, on March 13.
Further arrests and drug seizures were recorded in Taraba, where 35-year-old Polycarp Adeku was nabbed with 15.77kg of skunk on March 14 in Kurmi LGA. In Osun, a commercial bus traveling from Lagos to Ode-Omu was stopped on March 13, yielding 48.7kg of Ghanaian Loud, Colorado, and Canadian Loud—different cannabis strains. Nine suspects were later arrested in Osogbo and Ile-Ife during follow-up operations.
In Abuja, a 58-year-old suspect, Ade Esan (also known as Pastor), was caught on March 11 along the Gwagwalada Expressway with 27,800 Tramadol 225mg pills. On the same day, another suspect, Usman Mohammed, 26, was apprehended in Wuse Zone 3 with various quantities of skunk and cocaine. Meanwhile, in Abia, NDLEA operatives raided Ntigha community, Isiala-Ngwa North LGA, on March 15, arresting 34-year-old Chinaza Nwogu (alias Young Money) with 274 grams of heroin, 141 grams of methamphetamine, 2.931kg of cannabis sativa, 4 grams of cocaine, and ₦753,015 in cash.
As part of its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative, NDLEA continued sensitization campaigns in schools, worship centers, workplaces, and communities across Nigeria. Educational outreach programs were held at U.P.E School, Ilara Epe, Lagos; Government Day Secondary School, Jigalambu, Adamawa; Agbegi High Grammar School, Dekina, Kogi; Capital City Secondary School, Awka, Anambra; and Eso-Obe Comprehensive High School, Ikoro Ekiti, among others.
Commending the agency’s operatives for their successful operations, NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), praised their dedication to both drug supply reduction and demand reduction efforts. He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to intensifying the fight against drug trafficking and abuse across the country.
The latest NDLEA operations highlight the relentless efforts of drug cartels to smuggle illicit substances using sophisticated concealment methods. However, with continuous intelligence gathering and enforcement, the agency remains steadfast in its mission to combat drug trafficking and prevent harmful substances from reaching communities. As the crackdown intensifies, NDLEA’s resolve to dismantle drug networks remains unshaken.
