By Joy Onu
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has recorded major nationwide successes with the arrest of a notorious drug supplier linked to banditry in Niger State, interception of illicit drugs bound for the United States, Canada and Sweden, and large seizures across several states.
According to the Director of Media and Advocacy of the NDLEA, Mr. Femi Babafemi, a key suspect, Mohammed Sani, also known as Gamboli, was arrested on December 11 at Anguwan Fadama, Kuta, Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, three weeks after he escaped during a raid on his residence where 471.8kg of skunk was recovered. Intelligence reports identified him as a major supplier of illicit drugs to bandits operating in the area.
In Abia State, NDLEA operatives raided a clandestine codeine syrup factory at Amapu Igbengwo village, Umuakpara, Osisioma LGA, recovering 9,015 bottles of codeine syrup weighing 1,152.2kg, while arrests and seizures of skunk were also recorded in Enugu State, involving Ossai Emeka and Enoje Agada with a combined 101.8kg of the substance.
Operations in Oyo State led to the seizure of skunk, Colorado (synthetic cannabis) and methamphetamine at a notorious drug joint known as Beere the California, with Ajibade Faruk arrested, while another raid in Ibadan resulted in the arrest of Olusanya Abosede and the seizure of 238.4kg of skunk.
At the Seme border area in Lagos, NDLEA officers arrested Bashiru Babalola and Ugunwale Ranti with 50,000 pills of tramadol, while in Ogun State, three suspects were arrested with a combined 98kg of skunk at Iperu and Imeko.
In Ondo State, a raid in Ogbese, Akure North LGA, led to the arrest of Veronica Obi and her son Bright Obi, with 1,187kg of skunk and seeds, while Edo and Gombe States also recorded arrests involving 461kg of skunk, 56kg of skunk, and 40,000 capsules of tramadol.
The Agency also intercepted 907 pills of tramadol, tapentadol, cocodamol, amitriptyline and bromazepam concealed in black soap containers and designer wears in six consignments bound for the US, Canada and Sweden, and seized 170,000 bottles of codeine syrup weighing 23,579kg at the Apapa Seaport.
Meanwhile, NDLEA sustained its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization campaigns nationwide, as the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), commended the officers involved and urged personnel across the country to maintain the Agency’s balanced approach to drug control efforts.
