NDLEA seizes 3 trailer loads of opioids, codeine bottles
…as elderly couple arrested for drug dealing in Ekiti, Benue…
By Innocent Raphael
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) operatives have intercepted a significant haul of opioids in Lagos, seizing three trailer loads containing over 3.4 million pills and 344,000 bottles of codeine syrup at Abule Ado.
NDLEA made the disclosure on Sunday among details of other operations in a statement signed by Director, Media & Advocacy, Femi Babafemi.
According to the statement, the operation led to the arrest of three suspects connected to the illegal consignment. The drugs, valued in billions of naira, were discovered at a large warehouse following a tip-off on May 9th, 2024.
“The multi-billion naira consignments were loaded into two 40-ft container trucks and another 20-ft truck at the AML bonded terminal, Abule-Osun, near the International Trade Fair complex before heading to a large warehouse at Abule-Ado where NDLEA officers eventually arrested the suspects and recovered the opioid consignments on Thursday 9th May 2024.
“Those arrested include the warehouse agent, Cosmas Obiajulu, 51; Ridwan Balogun, 25, and Banjo Tayo, 30, both drivers of two of the trucks while the third driver jumped off to escape arrest,” it read.
In separate incidents, NDLEA operatives made more arrests in Lagos, intercepting 100 litres of codeine syrup from Nwankwo Ejike and 60 litres from Clinton Akinye in the Coker area.
Elsewhere, one Adegbola Segun was caught with 37.5kg of cannabis sativa in Mile 12. Further interceptions occurred in Adamawa State, where a consignment destined for Cameroon was seized, leading to the arrest of two suspects, Abubakar Auwal and Adamu Abubakar.
In Edo State, NDLEA operations targeted drug cultivation, resulting in the destruction of over 11,636kg of cannabis on three farms, with one arrest made.
Similar raids occurred in Ekiti and Benue states, leading to the arrest of elderly individuals involved in drug trafficking.
“A 75-year-old grandpa, Jibril Audu was on Friday 10th May arrested with 7.5 kilograms of cannabis at Oke-asa village, Ijero-Ekiti, Ekiti state during a raid operation, while a 70-year-old grandma, Tikwase Nytor was nabbed with 15.6kg of same substance on Thursday 9th May during a raid operation at Achusa and International Market road, Makurdi, Benue state,” it revealed.
The anti-drug agency also informed it has continued to conduct advocacy campaigns across various states, including lectures in mosques, schools, and visits to government officials, emphasizing the need to combat drug abuse.
In his remarks, NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), commended the efforts of the agency’s commands and reiterated their commitment to tackling substance abuse and trafficking in Nigeria.
