The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) made significant strides in its ongoing efforts against drug trafficking, intercepting twelve consignments of cocaine and making arrests across various states in Nigeria.
At the Akanu Ibiam International Airport (AIIA), Enugu, NDLEA operatives intercepted twelve consignments of cocaine belonging to a drug trafficking organization. Augustine Justine Emeka, a 44-year-old businessman, was apprehended upon his arrival from Douala, Cameroon, via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The seized cocaine, consisting of 797 pellets weighing 17.6 kilograms, was intended for delivery to twelve different individuals within the country.
In a related incident at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos, NDLEA arrested Onyejiuwa Prince Ifeanyi, who had been evading authorities since September. His arrest followed the earlier seizure of a 20kg cannabis consignment bound for the United Kingdom, concealed in tomato paste tins at the SAHCO shed.
Seaport Operations of the Agency also played a crucial role by apprehending a 45-year-old Beninese, Jamila Fatiu, at Ebute Ero Jetty in Lagos Island. She was found with 398 bottles of codeine cough syrup, intending to transport them to the Seme border via a boat service.
In Katsina state, NDLEA officers disrupted a pre-wedding ceremony drug abuse competition in Shola Quarters, arresting 25 youths engaged in illicit substance abuse. The groom, Musa Gwandi, was later apprehended, emphasizing the seriousness with which the NDLEA is tackling drug-related activities.
In Anambra state, a truck intercepted on December 9th yielded a significant haul, including 5,612 bottles of codeine-based syrup, 57,800 capsules of tramadol, and 5,100 ampoules of pentazocine injection. Two individuals, Chiemenam Akusoba and Chidinma Ibenwa, were also arrested with 15.8503kg of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and cannabis sativa in separate locations.
Additionally, NDLEA operatives arrested three suspects in Kaduna state, Monday John, Maryam Adang, and Mohammed Lawal Musa, with varying amounts of cannabis. In Kogi state, a 20-year-old Adamu Nuhu was apprehended with ampoules of pentazocine injection, tramadol pills, and diazepam tablets.
The operations extended to Borno state, where 81,975 pills of tramadol were recovered from three suspects. In Ondo state, Taye Ali and Okon Peter were arrested with 97kg of cannabis, while Nnabuke Christian was nabbed in the FCT Abuja with diazepam tablets, tramadol pills, and pentazocine ampoules.
The NDLEA continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy campaign, conducting sensitization lectures in schools, markets, and worship places across the country. The agency commended its officers and urged them to maintain the offensive action tempo while intensifying efforts in drug demand reduction initiatives.
