NDLEA seizes tonnes of Narcotics in massive raids
By Innocent Raphael
In a series of coordinated operations, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has made significant strides in combating drug trafficking across several states in Nigeria.
The crackdown, spanning Lagos, Edo, Ondo, Kano, Borno, Kaduna, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), resulted in the seizure of a staggering 44,948.1 kilograms (44.9 tonnes) of illicit drugs and the arrest of multiple suspects.
NDLEA Director for Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.
According to the statement, in Ondo state, authorities destroyed a total of 7,687.8 kilograms of cannabis in Ala forest, Akure, while apprehending five suspects. Additionally, in Edo State, over 14,310.8625 kilograms of cannabis were incinerated in Ohosu/Ugbogui forest, leading to the arrest of five individuals.
Further operations in Uzebba/Avbiosi forest and Okpuje forest in Owan West LGA, Edo State, saw the destruction of thousands of kilograms of cannabis and the apprehension of additional suspects.
In Lagos, a well-coordinated raid resulted in the seizure of 10,534 kilograms of Ghanaian Loud, a strain of cannabis, in the Ajah area, alongside the confiscation of 11 vehicles belonging to drug cartels.
Individual arrests were also made, with suspects caught in possession of various narcotics. These included substances such as pentazocine injection, tramadol, codeine syrup, and Diazepam injection.
Operations extended beyond drug seizures, with efforts made to dismantle syndicates involved in the trafficking of cocaine and heroin.
In Kano, a syndicate dealing in cocaine and heroin was dismantled, leading to the arrest of several individuals, with similar successes reported in Abuja, where arrests were made, and narcotics confiscated from alleged drug leaders.
The NDLEA, in furtherance to its campaign against drug abuse, known as the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA), announced they had continued with advocacy lectures conducted across various schools and communities nationwide.
Meanwhile, the agency’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), commended the officers and men involved in the operations for their dedication and urged for sustained efforts in combating drug trafficking and abuse.
