The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it has made ‘significant breakthroughs’ across multiple states, seizing large consignments of illicit drugs, vehicles, and arresting key suspects.
According to Femi Babafemi, Director, Media and Advocacy at NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, operatives intercepted a 40-foot trailer loaded with 2,217.6 kilograms of skunk, a potent strain of cannabis, at an abandoned fuel station in Kagini, Kubwa, Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Babafemi said the consignment, reportedly en route to northern states, was being offloaded into six vehicles, which were also seized during the operation. The vehicles included a Toyota Van, Toyota Camry, Toyota Sienna, JAC Hilux truck, Toyota Corolla, and a Vento Passat. One suspect, identified as 42-year-old Isaac Monday Desmond, was arrested. The shipment originated from Uzebba in Edo State.
Cocaine bust in Abuja and Lagos
In a separate operation in Nyanya, FCT, NDLEA operatives arrested two suspects, Anthony Nnamdi (42) and Abba Ali (27), recovering 1.398 kilograms of cocaine and precursor chemicals used for crack cocaine production.
In Lagos, officers of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation (DOGI) seized 20 wraps of cocaine weighing 330 grams. The drugs, destined for Australia, were concealed in face cream containers.
Codeine shipment intercepted in Rivers
At the Port Harcourt Ports Complex, Rivers State, NDLEA operatives, in collaboration with Customs and other security agencies, intercepted two containers carrying 338,200 bottles of codeine-based syrup worth over N1.1 billion in street value. The seizure followed intelligence-led watch-listing and joint container examinations on January 9 and 10.
Arrest of Igunuko priest in Lagos
In Lagos, NDLEA arrested Bariu Aliu, the chief priest of the Igunuko shrine in Ajah. He had been on the run for over three months following the seizure of 2,760 kilograms of skunk at the shrine in October 2024. Two of his accomplices had been arrested and convicted last year, with Aliu identified as the syndicate leader.
Babafemi said, “In Lagos, the traditional chief priest of the Igunuko shrine, Alpha beach Ajah Lekki where 2,760kg skunk was recovered on 25th October 2024, Bariu Aliu (alias Malo) has been arrested by NDLEA operatives after over three months of manhunt for him. Though two of his accomplices were earlier arrested at the shrine last year and had since been charged and convicted in court, Bariu was said to be the leader of the syndicate.”
Kano raid yields cannabis and opioids
In Kano, operatives arrested Habibu Ya’u (23) during a raid in Gadar Tamburawa, Zaria Road. They recovered 45 blocks of cannabis weighing 24.2 kilograms and 40,800 opioid pills, including tramadol.
Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), Chairman of the NDLEA, commended the operatives for their operational successes. He praised their balanced approach to drug supply reduction and demand reduction efforts, reaffirming the agency’s commitment to eradicating drug abuse and trafficking in Nigeria.
Theresa Arike
