Fawaz Adebisi
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has intercepted illicit drugs valued at more than ₦10 billion in a series of coordinated operations across Lagos ports and other parts of the country, leading to the arrest of suspected drug kingpins and the recovery of military-grade ammunition.
The agency said the seizures included cocaine, Canadian Loud, synthetic cannabis, opioids and tramadol consignments allegedly destined for the United Kingdom and other locations.
NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, disclosed the development in a statement on Sunday, saying the operations were carried out by officers at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Apapa Seaport and other commands nationwide.
According to him, operatives arrested 55-year-old businessman, Onuigbo Ndubisi Chinedu, following the interception of 3.30 kilogrammes of cocaine concealed in the walls of cartons containing food items meant for export to the United Kingdom.
Babafemi said the cocaine consignment was intercepted at the export shed of the Lagos airport on July 22, while Onuigbo was arrested the following day.
He explained that investigations initially led to the arrest of three cargo agents—Nkwor Onyekachukwu Justina, Adeleke Abiola Taoheed and Ukanwa Grace Pilgrim—who handled the shipment.
The agency also arrested Kenneth Okakpu, who allegedly delivered the consignment to the cargo agents.
“Further investigation identified Onuigbo as the kingpin behind the syndicate. He was subsequently arrested while attempting to send another cocaine shipment to the UK,” Babafemi said.
In a separate operation, NDLEA operatives arrested 31-year-old entrepreneur, Emmanuella Chukwu-Edo, at her residence in Surulere, Lagos, after intercepting 2.80kg of Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, allegedly imported from the United States aboard a United Airlines flight.
The agency also announced the seizure of 2.24 million pills of Tapentadol 250mg, valued at over ₦2.2 billion, from a cargo shipment that arrived from India aboard an Air Maroc flight.
Babafemi said the seizure followed intelligence gathering and a joint examination of the cargo on July 24.
He added that NDLEA operatives also intercepted a consignment of tramadol concealed inside containers of black soap intended for export to the United Kingdom.
At the Apapa Seaport, officers uncovered 2,388.5 kilogrammes of Canadian Loud concealed inside three imported vehicles in a container.
The illicit drug, packed in 4,777 sachets, has an estimated street value of over ₦7.1 billion, the agency said.
Beyond drug seizures, NDLEA operatives also intercepted military-grade ammunition in Katsina and Kaduna states.
The agency arrested 30-year-old Mustapha Sani during a patrol operation in Baure, Safana Local Government Area of Katsina State, where he was allegedly found with 323 rounds of military-grade ammunition, comprising 200 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition and 123 rounds of another calibre.
Similarly, Abubakar Amadu, 30, was arrested during a stop-and-search operation along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway after officers allegedly discovered 73 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition concealed inside kegs of palm oil.
The suspects and recovered ammunition have been handed over to the appropriate security agency for further investigation.
In Edo State, NDLEA said operatives raided a warehouse in Ilushi Community, Esan South-East Local Government Area, where they recovered 1,286kg of cannabis and 86kg of cannabis seeds.
The agency also arrested Ojore Onweze, 45, with 60kg of skunk, while George Agwumede, 30, was apprehended with 13kg of the same substance.
Babafemi said the agency also sustained its War Against Drug Abuse campaign with sensitisation programmes held in schools and communities across Niger, Kano and Lagos states during the week.
NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), commended officers of the MMIA, Apapa, Edo, Kaduna and Katsina commands for the successful operations.
He urged them to sustain the agency’s balanced approach of aggressive enforcement and public sensitisation in the fight against drug abuse and trafficking.
'
'Do you want to share a story with us? Do you want to advertise with us? Do you need publicity for a product, service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348183319097 Email: platformtimes@gmail.com
We are committed to impactful investigative journalism for human interest and social justice. Your donation will help us tell more stories. Kindly donate any amount HERE
