The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intensified its nationwide offensive against drug trafficking organisations, dismantling six major syndicates and arresting nine kingpins in a series of coordinated operations across Nigeria.
The raids led to the seizure of large quantities of methamphetamine, cocaine, cannabis, opioids and other illicit substances concealed in machine parts, flight documents, food items and vehicles.
This was disclosed in a statement accompanied by photos on Sunday by the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi.
In one of the most significant interceptions, NDLEA officers at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, uncovered methamphetamine, Loud cannabis, cocaine and other drugs hidden inside pressure machine cylinders imported from South Africa.
The consignment, with airway bill number 118-12882973, arrived on 13 November and was immediately flagged through intelligence monitoring.
A follow-up sting operation in Onitsha, Anambra State, on 18 November, led to the arrest of two members of the trafficking syndicate.
The suspects, 30-year-old trader Ebulue Lotanwa Uzochukwu and 51-year-old South Africa returnee Christopher Michael Ndibuisi, were apprehended as they attempted to collect the drug-laden cylinders.
In a separate operation at the Lagos airport on 20 November, NDLEA operatives intercepted a brake-servo automobile part stuffed with 48 pellets and a block of cocaine weighing 2.30kg destined for Gabon.
The freight agent, Ameh Solomon, who brought the consignment for export, was arrested. A follow-up operation at the Trade Fair Complex in Lagos resulted in the arrest of auto parts dealer, Nwafor Tochukwu Boniface.
The crackdown extended to Kogi State, where operatives on 17 November intercepted a trailer transporting 4,700kg of skunk at Kabba.
Three suspects accompanying the shipment were arrested, while a follow-up operation in Jos on 21 November led to the arrest of the cartel leader, Marcus Danladi Dan Mangu.
In Cross River State, a couple — 55-year-old Onun Okoi Okpotum and his 52-year-old wife, Itam — were arrested at their warehouse in Ugep following the discovery of 362 jumbo bags of skunk weighing 4,706kg.
NDLEA also uncovered drug-laced brownies in Edo State where two young women, 19-year-old Praise Nwogu and 25-year-old Ebong Emem Oghosa, were apprehended in Benin City with trays of cannabis-infused cakes, skunk and Colorado.
Another raid in Akoko-Edo LGA netted 59kg of skunk and the arrest of 35-year-old Shedrack Aminu.
A major interception occurred on the Enugu–Onitsha expressway where 24-year-old Chinoso Emmanuel Monday was caught with 10.1kg of skunk, over 105,000 tramadol pills, pentazocine injections and 3,000 rounds of live ammunition.
In Kebbi State, officers evacuated 13,155 bottles of codeine syrup from a warehouse in Dole-Kaina, while another suspect was arrested with over 12,500 opioid pills hidden in paracetamol containers and allegedly headed for a Boko Haram enclave in Borno.
Additional seizures included, 430.5kg of cannabis on the Abaji–Abuja expressway, 85,100 opioid pills and 5,456 bottles of codeine syrup in Niger State, 471.8kg of compressed skunk recovered in Shiroro LGA, 71kg of “Canadian Loud” cannabis seized in Lekki.
READ ALSO: NDLEA Arrests 230 Suspects, Seizes Cache of Illicit Drugs in Kano Crackdown
Others are 2.6kg Colorado hidden inside flight boarding passes in Lagos, 385kg of assorted drugs at the notorious Peti drug enclave in Lagos Island, 163,200 tramadol capsules from Maza Maza motor park.
NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), commended the officers for what he described as a “balanced and forceful” approach to drug control ahead of the festive season.
He noted that criminal groups often intensify trafficking activities towards year-end, prompting the agency’s aggressive nationwide crackdown.
“The coming weeks present both an opportunity and a challenge.
“Drug cartels may attempt to increase their illegal activities during the holiday season. We must not, and will not, let down our guard,” Marwa said.
He also praised state commands for continuing the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation programmes in schools, religious centres and communities nationwide.
The agency vowed that its intensified operations will continue throughout the festive period to disrupt drug supply chains and dismantle trafficking syndicates.
