Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted hundreds of thousands of opioid pills concealed in a truck transporting building materials and arrested a 75-year-old suspected drug dealer alongside several other suspects in coordinated operations across the country.
The nationwide offensive, which targeted drug trafficking and distribution networks in Taraba, Ebonyi, Imo, Edo, Kano and Gombe states, resulted in the seizure of large quantities of illicit substances, including tramadol, codeine, cannabis and other psychotropic drugs.
According to a statement by the NDLEA Director of Media and Public Enlightenment, Femi Babafemi, one of the most significant seizures occurred in Taraba State, where operatives acting on credible intelligence intercepted a truck conveying building materials from Onitsha, Anambra State, to Jalingo.
Babafemi said a thorough search of the vehicle at the Nukkai Timber Shade in Jalingo uncovered a large quantity of opioids hidden beneath the cargo.
“Recovered from the truck were 320,840 capsules of tramadol, 600 ampoules of pentazocine injection, 4,500 tablets of rohypnol and 299 bottles of codeine-based cough syrup. A 22-year-old suspect, Buhari Abdullahi, was arrested in connection with the seizure,” he said.
In Ebonyi State, NDLEA operatives arrested a 75-year-old suspect, Okebe Samuel, during a raid in Okposi community.
“Demonstrating that age is no shield against the law, operatives tracked and arrested the suspect with 300 grams of skunk packaged for retail distribution. Investigations revealed he allegedly sold the substance to youths within his community,” Babafemi stated.
The agency also recorded successes in Imo State, where officers raided a notorious drug enclave in Umulolo, Orlu, leading to the arrest of a suspected female drug dealer, Chioma Okeke, 32, and the recovery of eight kilograms of skunk.
In Edo State, a major sweep of drug hotspots across Benin City led to the arrest of four suspected traffickers, including three women.
Babafemi said two female suspects, Chioma Igba, 24, and Precious Ozomah, 22, were arrested at Uyosa with quantities of skunk, Loud and methamphetamine.
“Another female suspect, Anita Abraham, 21, was arrested along Agbor Road with 95 grams of Scottish Loud and 329 grams of regular Loud, while Henry Okey, 43, was apprehended at Upper Mission with various psychotropic substances, including Loud, Colorado, Swinol and methamphetamine,” he added.
In Kano State, operatives arrested 19-year-old Saifullahi Lawan at Kafi in Madobi Local Government Area with 40 blocks of skunk weighing 38 kilograms.
Similarly, in Gombe State, NDLEA officers intercepted 28-year-old Ugwu Sabastine Ifebuchi near Dantiti Plaza in the Tumfure area of the state and recovered 15,000 capsules of tramadol from him.
Beyond enforcement operations, the agency said its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign continued across the country with sensitisation programmes conducted in schools and communities.
Babafemi noted that anti-drug education lectures were delivered to students and staff of Holiness Foundation Primary School in Saki, Oyo State; Dorras High School, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos State; Ado Girls Secondary School, Onitsha, Anambra State; and Army Day Secondary School, Kano, among others.
Reacting to the successes recorded by the agency, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), commended officers and men of the affected state commands for their commitment and vigilance.
“These successful operations underscore the determination of the Agency to dismantle drug trafficking networks and disrupt illicit supply chains across the country. We remain resolute in pursuing traffickers irrespective of age, gender or concealment methods,” Marwa said.
He also praised NDLEA personnel nationwide for maintaining a balance between drug supply reduction operations and preventive drug demand reduction initiatives through public enlightenment and advocacy campaigns.
“The Agency will continue to strengthen both enforcement and prevention strategies in order to protect communities, safeguard public health and prevent the devastating consequences of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking,” he added.
Babafemi reiterated that investigations into the various cases were ongoing and that those arrested would be prosecuted in accordance with the law upon conclusion of investigations.
