Frantic attempts by drug syndicates to smuggle consignments of cocaine and Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, into and out of Nigeria have been thwarted by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). The illicit substances were hidden in various items, including incense candles, game packs, dry hibiscus leaves, and ladies’ native wears. These operations took place at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) and various courier firms in Lagos, leading to the interception of these illegal shipments and the arrest of several suspects.
On July 18, 2024, NDLEA operatives arrested Abdulwahab Owolabi Alebiosu at his residence in Horizon Court, Lekki, Lagos. This followed the interception of 40 parcels of Loud, weighing 20.30 kilograms, hidden in chessboards, scrabble sets, checkers, and poker sets, which had arrived from Canada on a British Airways flight. During a joint examination with the Customs Service at the SAHCO import shed, the consignment was discovered. A subsequent search of Alebiosu’s home led to the recovery of additional drug paraphernalia, including a weighing scale, cannabis potency test kit, and four vaping machines from his business premises on Admiralty Way, Lekki. A Mikano black truck with registration number FST 657 HP was also seized.
Arrests and Further Interceptions
In another significant operation, NDLEA operatives intercepted two jumbo bags at the NAHCO export shed of MMIA on July 19, 2024. The bags, destined for Pakistan, contained dried hibiscus leaves, dried bitter leaves, and other food items concealing four parcels of cocaine and 14 parcels of Loud, with a combined weight of 1.360 kilograms. Further investigations led to the arrest of businesswoman Eze Queen Ogechi, who claimed she was sending the consignment on the instructions of her brother, Eze Nnamdi Promise, based in South Asia.
On the same day, at Terminal II, Departure Gate of MMIA, NDLEA operatives intercepted Orobi Adoubi Amen, a Beninese passenger travelling to Dubai via Accra, Ghana, on an Air Peace Airline flight, with a connecting flight to Dubai on Emirates Airline. His bag, containing female native dresses, was found to conceal eight parcels of Loud, weighing 2.10 kilograms. Amen confessed he was offered N600,000 for successful delivery of the consignment in Dubai.
Seizures Beyond the Airport
The NDLEA’s vigilance extended beyond the airport. On July 14, 2024, a thorough search of a container marked MSDU 5656394 from Canada at Tincan port in Lagos revealed 4.5 kilograms of Loud concealed inside the door panels and boot of an imported Toyota RAV 4 vehicle. This led to the arrest of two suspects, Dada Kole and Alaba Oladewusi.
In Kebbi State, a 48-year-old one-legged man, Amadu Garba, was arrested on July 16, 2024, at his residence in Yawuri town. The NDLEA operatives discovered six bags of cannabis weighing 67 kilograms. Garba’s arrest underscores the NDLEA’s commitment to combating drug trafficking across Nigeria, targeting both high-profile smugglers and smaller, regional operators.
These successful operations highlight the NDLEA’s relentless efforts to intercept drug trafficking and bring perpetrators to justice, thereby safeguarding the nation from the adverse effects of illicit drugs.
NDLEA’s Major Drug Busts in Abuja and Beyond
On Monday, July 15th, NDLEA operatives arrested two suspects along the Kwali-Gwagwalada-Abuja expressway. The suspects, 60-year-old Ademola Elusakin and 34-year-old Nuhu Friday Adamu, were found in possession of 30.0kg of a psychoactive substance. They were en route from Lagos to Nasarawa State, where the consignment was meant for illegal miners. Elusakin claimed the drugs were procured from Ghana via Lagos, highlighting a complex drug trafficking route involving multiple countries and states.
These arrests are part of a broader crackdown by the NDLEA to curb drug trafficking across Nigeria. The agency has intensified efforts to intercept drugs on major highways and within states, preventing large quantities of cannabis and other illicit substances from reaching their destinations. The coordinated actions across multiple states underline the NDLEA’s commitment to disrupting the drug supply chain at various points.
State-Wide Operations Yield Significant Results
In Yobe State, 305 blocks of cannabis weighing 152.5kg were seized from 39-year-old Sale Bukar on Sunday, July 14th. Bukar was transporting the drugs to Diffa, Niger Republic, indicating a cross-border element to the trafficking. Similarly, in Imo State, Aham Regal Chinemeze, 43, was apprehended on Thursday, July 18th, with 60kg of cannabis on the Owerri-Onitsha expressway. The following day, Adamu Abdullahi, 24, was arrested with 40.5kg of cannabis in Kogi State, demonstrating the NDLEA’s extensive reach.
These operations are a testament to the NDLEA’s effective use of intelligence and strategic planning. The agency’s ability to intercept drug consignments across various states highlights the pervasive nature of drug trafficking in Nigeria and the need for continuous vigilance. The arrests in Plateau, Osun, and Jigawa states further underscore the widespread effort to combat drug distribution networks.
NDLEA’s Community Engagement and Continued Efforts
In Plateau State, a raid on the storehouse of a notorious drug dealer, Choji Gyang, led to the recovery of 312kg of cannabis. Although Gyang remains at large, his manager, Kelvin Onwutalu, was arrested. Similar operations in Osun State resulted in the seizure of 30.4kg of cannabis and the arrest of two suspects. Meanwhile, in Jigawa State, three suspects were nabbed with 116.8kg of cannabis, destined for various locations in Kazaure, Yankwashi, and Katsina.
The NDLEA’s operations extend beyond arrests and seizures.
The agency has been actively involved in the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA), conducting sensitization activities in schools, worship centers, workplaces, and communities. These educational initiatives are crucial for reducing drug demand and fostering a drug-free society. The NDLEA’s outreach efforts, combined with its enforcement actions, represent a comprehensive approach to tackling drug abuse and trafficking in Nigeria.
Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended the officers for their dedication and success. He urged them to continue their relentless efforts in reducing both the supply and demand for drugs, reinforcing the agency’s commitment to eradicating drug abuse across the country.
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