The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has made significant arrests in its ongoing efforts to curb drug trafficking and abuse, including the apprehension of a 67-year-old trafficker at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. Chukwuemeka Clement was found to have ingested 100 wraps of cocaine, weighing 2.195 kilograms, as he attempted to clear customs on a flight from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Chukwuemeka, in his statement to authorities, revealed that he delved into drug trafficking as a means to raise funds for marrying a new wife and starting afresh after spending 30 years of his life in Brazil, Ethiopia, and Thailand. His arrest sheds light on the diverse motivations behind illicit activities.
Simultaneously, NDLEA operatives at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano intercepted a 45-year-old woman, Bilkisu Mohammed Bello, who was preparing to board a Saudia Airlines flight to Saudi Arabia. She confessed to having swallowed pellets of cocaine, leading authorities to a house in Farawa, Kano, where 52 wraps of the illicit substance were recovered.
In a separate operation, NDLEA operatives, supported by the Nigerian Army, Civil Defence Corps, and Amotekun personnel, destroyed 10.38 tonnes of cannabis sativa in James town, Ogun state. The team also intercepted a truck carrying logs of wood, discovering two bags of cannabis sativa weighing 20kgs, resulting in the arrest of six suspects.
The Agency continues its nationwide War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy campaign. Various commands conducted sensitization lectures in schools, including Igbonnibi High School in Osun state, Royal Ambassador Secondary School in Benue state, Ilora Baptist Grammar School in Oyo state, and Beth-Root Model Secondary School in Anambra state.
NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), commended the remarkable achievements of the officers and men across different commands for their efforts in drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction activities.
The NDLEA remains committed to its mission of tackling drug-related crimes and promoting drug abuse prevention initiatives.
