Abuja: In a sweeping multi-state operation, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted large consignments of illicit substances across seven states, leading to the arrest of over 15 suspects.
The crackdown underscores the Agency’s intensified efforts to dismantle drug trafficking networks and curb the spread of narcotics nationwide.
The Director of Media and Advocacy at the NDLEA, Mr Femi Babafemi, stated this in a press release on Sunday in Abuja.
Providing a breakdown, Babafemi stated that NDLEA operatives on patrol along the Abuja–Jos highway in Kaduna on Sunday, October 26, intercepted a consignment of 84,710 capsules of tramadol.
He said that the drugs were coming from Onitsha to Bauchi, adding that a follow-up operation in Bauchi led to the arrest of the recipient.
“Two days later, Tuesday, October 28, operatives at the tollgate along Abuja – Kaduna highway arrested another suspect, conveying 32,946 bottles of Akuskura, a New Psychoactive Substance (NPS) from Lagos.
“Another 30-year-old suspect was nabbed with 131.5kg skunk at Kamfanin Zangon Aya, Igabi LGA, Kaduna.
“Three suspects were arrested on Saturday, November 1, at Abeokuta, Ogun state, after a team of NDLEA officers tracked their movement from the Benin Republic.
“They were eventually intercepted along Abiola way, Abeokuta, with a total of 1,779kg skunk recovered from them,” he said.
Babafemi said that another suspect was arrested with 596.4kg of skunk at Nasaru town, Ningi LGA, Bauchi State, on Wednesday, October 29.
Also, no fewer than 532,600 pills of tramadol and exol-5 were recovered from the three suspects in a truck marked KTG- 791 ZZ at Oko-olowo, Ilorin, Kwara state, the same day.
In Edo, NDLEA officers on patrol along the Okhokho – Isi community in Uhunmwode LGA on Wednesday, October 29, intercepted two Toyota Sienna buses, marked EPE 545 EV and ABC 142 CD.
Babafemi stated that the intercepted vehicles were carrying a total of 1,455kg of skunk.
In like manner, operatives in Ondo on Tuesday, October 28, recovered a total of 2,829kg of skunk linked to a 32-year-old female suspect from two locations at Ayede, Ogbese.
Babafemi added that another suspect was nabbed with 737kg of the same psychoactive substance at Adegbola junction, Akure.
“No less than 76.5 litres of skuchies, a mixture of black currant, skunk and opioids, were seized from a suspect who NDLEA officers arrested at Ibereko, Bagadry, Lagos on Friday, October 31.
“A total of 30,370 pills of tramadol and 177 grams of methamphetamine were recovered from the two other suspects.
“This followed their arrest at Wukari, Taraba state by operatives on Thursday, October 30, when they were conveying the drugs from Onitsha, Anambra state to Yola, Adamawa state.
Meanwhile, Commands and formations of the Agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation activities in schools, worship centres, workplaces, and communities, among others, in the past week.
Babafemi named them as including a WADA sensitisation lecture to students and staff of Aroje/Abaa Community High School, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, and Amazing Flower Secondary School, Maya, Ikorodu, Lagos.
Also, Government Day Secondary School, Ilelah, Sokoto; Government Day Secondary School, Darina, Gwiwa LGA, Jigawa; Royal Star Academy, Hayin Gwarmai, Bebeji LGA, Kano state, among others.
The NDLEA Chairman, retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa commended the officers and men of Kaduna, Edo, Kwara, Ogun, Taraba, Ondo, and Bauchi Commands, as well as their compatriots across the country.
Marwa lauded the officers and men for their resilience, professionalism, and balanced approach to the country’s drug control efforts.
He vowed that the Agency would continue to target and dismantle every identified drug syndicate in any part of Nigeria.
He also assured that the benefits of the proceeds from their criminal trade would be denied by ensuring that they forfeit all their traceable assets to the Federal Government.