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Tag: NDLEA

  • NDLEA raids drug-filled shrine guarded by snake in Edo, arrests two

    NDLEA raids drug-filled shrine guarded by snake in Edo, arrests two

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it has raided a shrine used to store illicit drugs in Igor community, Benin City, Edo state, which was guarded by a giant black snake.

    Spokesman of the Agency, Femi Babafemi, in a statement on Sunday, June 23, said its operatives detected a specially constructed large hole storage in a wall covered with wallpapers and fetish objects, where the drugs were hidden.

    He said different quantities of illicit substances such as methamphetamine, Loud, Colorado and Arizona, all strong strains of cannabis with a total weight of 8.743 kilograms, were pulled out from the deep hole dug in the wall of the shrine building.

    According to the statement two ladies: Sonia Chinonso Ezumezu and Risikatu Tijani were arrested during the intelligence-led operation on Tuesday 18th June 2024 after the big black snake guarding the shrine was demobilized.

    Read Also: NDLEA laments women’s involvement in illicit drug 

    Babafemi said in the same vein, two suspects: Obi Ferguson,45, and Ernest Abanum, 46, were arrested on Saturday 22nd June when NDLEA operatives raided the Usen forest in Ovia South West LGA, Edo state where 209kg cannabis and a motorcycle were recovered.

    He also said NDLEA officers in Lagos have intercepted a carefully packaged consignment of 8.2 kilograms of methamphetamine at a motor park in Mazamaza, Ojo area of the state. 

    The highly addictive illicit substance, also called ice or crystal meth was packed in imported Dunkin’ turtle love chocolate wraps and then concealed in the casing of three loud speakers, he said.

    The statement revealed that a 39-year-old suspect,  Michael Odiomume, who was sending the consignment to Owerri, Imo state was promptly arrested on Wednesday 19th June at the park.

    The statement reads: “In Abuja, operatives on Tuesday 18th June intercepted a white Nissan Frontier pick up vehicle with amber lights and fake registration number of a security agency at Kiyi village in Kuje area of the FCT. The vehicle was loaded with 454 compressed blocks of cannabis sativa, weighing 340.8kg procured at Uzeba, Edo state. A 76-year-old grandfather, Mr. Francis Omofa, linked to the consignment was arrested. He claimed to have been in the illicit drug business for 10 years.

    “With the same vigour, Commands and formations of the Agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, sensitization activities in schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others in the past week. These include: WADA enlightenment lecture for students and teachers of St. Peters College, Nibo, Anambra;  students and staff of Apostolic Grammar School, Ilesa, Osun state;  students and teachers of Immanuel Baptist High School, Oyo town, Oyo state;  students and staff of Federal Government Science and Technical College, Otukpa, Benue state, as well as WADA advocacy lecture for Muslim faithful during their juma’at prayer in Umuahia, Abia state and a WADA advocacy visit to the First Lady of Enugu state, Mrs. Nkechinyere Mbah by the state Command of NDLEA.

    “While commending the officers and men of Edo, Lagos, and FCT Commands, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) noted the balance in their drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts as well as those of their compatriots across the country. 

    “He charged them to maintain the ongoing offensive action against drug cartels as they continue to intensify their war against drug abuse, WADA, social advocacy campaign.”

  • NDLEA seizes 4,732kg illicit drugs, arrests 454 dealers in Adamawa

    NDLEA seizes 4,732kg illicit drugs, arrests 454 dealers in Adamawa

    The Adamawa State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has confiscated 4,732.128 kilograms of hard drugs and arrested 454 suspected dealers.

    The seizures which were made in the course of June 2023 to date include Cannabis sativa, otherwise called Indian hemp; Methamphetamine or Ice; Cocaine, Tramadol, Exol-5; Diazepam tablets; Codeine-based syrup; Rohypnol tablet, and Pentazocine injection.

    According to the NDLEA Commander in the state, Agboalu Samson, the drug seizures represent 75 percent increase over the seizures of the previous accounting year covering June 2022 to May 2023. 

    Addressing newsmen in Yola on Friday, June 21, at the beginning of activities marking this year’s International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, Agboalu Samson said although illicit drug dealers have reduced in number, their scale of drug dealings has increased.

    Read Also: NDLEA seized 7,148.945kg of drugs in Nasarawa in one year – Commander

    He mentioned a particular case in Ngurore, Yola South Local Government Area where operatives of the NDLEA and sister agencies raided a house and found 1,898 blocks of Cannabis sativa weighing 1,862 kilograms.

    The NDLEA commander said that in all within the year in view, his command arrested 454 suspected hard drug dealers comprising 447 males and seven females.

    He said the command within the review period secured the court conviction of 148 individuals comprising 145 males and three females.

    “The highest sentences handed down were between 10 and five years imprisonment, with the least being six months,” he explained, adding that prosecution of offenders is a continuing process

    The NDLEA Commander in Adamawa State, Agboalu Samson conducting newsmen round seized illicit drugs at the NDLEA headquarters in Yola on Friday

  • NDLEA seized 7,148.945kg of drugs in Nasarawa in one year – Commander

    NDLEA seized 7,148.945kg of drugs in Nasarawa in one year – Commander

    National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nasarawa State Command, says it seized 7,149 kilograms of drugs between July 2023 and June 2024.

    Commander of NDLEA in the state, Peter Onche-Odaudu, disclosed this at a news briefing on Thursday in Lafia.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the briefing was part of week-long activities to mark the 2024 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

    Onche-Odaudu said that the arduous task of checking the menace of drug abuse and illicit trafficking, in spite of the daunting challenges of logistics and paucity of funds, had resulted in the modest achievements.

    He said that cannabis sativa accounted for 7,037.2 kg of the seizures; cocaine, 0.011 kg, methamphetamine, 0.185 kg, while sundry psychotropic substances accounted for 111.534 kg.

    The commander said that United Nations had set aside June 26 of every year for the commemoration of International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking by member nations.

    Read Also: NDLEA recovers 230,900 Tramadol pills, uncovers skuchies coy in Ogun

    He stated that that the theme for this year’s Day: “The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention”, was apt, as it emphasised the importance of prevention over cure in issues of drug abuse.

    Onche-Odaudu said that a couple of activities had been lined up by his command to commemorate this year’s day.

    These, he said, would include: an advocacy walk, starting from Lafia and ending at Lafia Stadium, with the grand finale holding on June 22 at the Conference Room of the Federal Secretariat, Lafia.

    The commander further stated that the command would take anti-drug sensitisation campaign to GSM Village, Lafia and Lafia Custodial Centre on Monday and Tuesday.

    He thanked Gov. Abdullahi Sule for his support to the command toward the drug war in the state.

    The commander also appreciated the support of journalists, sister security agencies and stakeholders in the war against drug abuse in the state.

    (NAN)

  • NDLEA recovers 230,900 Tramadol pills, uncovers skuchies coy in Ogun

    NDLEA recovers 230,900 Tramadol pills, uncovers skuchies coy in Ogun

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has recovered a total of 230,600 pills of 200mg and 225mg of Tramadol, a prohibited substance in Gadar Tamburawa area of Kano, Kano State.

    NDLEA ‘s Director, Media and Advocacy, Mr Femi Babafemi, said this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

    Babafemi said that the NDLEA operatives arrested the duo of Yasir Rabi’u, 23, and Abubakar Ado, 30, who were major distributors of the illicit drugs in Kano and Jigawa states respectively.

    He said that the suspected drug peddlers were arrested on Monday.

    Babafemi said, “In the same vein, another suspect, Hassan Abdullahi-Ali, 25, was nabbed with 150 bottles of codeine syrup at Kofar Nassarawa area of Kano on Tuesday.

    “Also, In Ogun, NDLEA operatives on Monday seized 390kg of cannabis and arrested the three in connection with the illicit drugs.”

    He said that Muhammad Sani, Nura Mohammad and Samaila Rabe were arrested during an early morning raid at Ibese area of the state.

    Read Also: NDLEA seizes N4.7b drugs in two busts, arrests siblings

    Meanwhile, Babafemi said that officers on Wednesday busted a skuchies making factory at Sabo area of Sagamu town where seven suspects were arrested.

    “They include: Kareem Jamiu; Oriyimi Ayo; Bamidele Wasiu; Rasheed Olarewanju; Ramota Lawal; Amudalat Olarewaju; and Adeniyi Omotosho.

    “Exhibits recovered from them include: 387 litres of skuchies; 70 litres of industrial codeine; 25kg cannabis and different quantities of Tramadol, Rohypnol, Diazepam.

    “Also, there were various equipment used in the production of the new psychoactive substance and all were intercepted, “ he said.

    (NAN) 

  • NDLEA seizes N4.7b drugs in two busts, arrests siblings

    NDLEA seizes N4.7b drugs in two busts, arrests siblings

    •Agency uncovers factory in Ogun, recovers 230,600 banned pills in Kano
    •28,959kg cannabis destroyed in Edo, Ekiti forests

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has seized consignments of 20.76 kilogrammes of cocaine and methamphetamine worth over N4.1billion in Aba, Abia State, belonging to a drug baron, 49-year-old Kelechi Monday Nwaobasi and his 50-year-old elder sister, Ms. Chinwe Rose Nwaobasi.

    Its Director, Media and Advocacy, Headquarters, Abuja, Femi Babafemi, in a statement yesterday, said they were arrested by officers of the Special Operation Unit last Thursday and Friday at 3B,  Boundary Avenue, Aba and a residence along Ohia Road, Ohia, Abia State.

    Also, Babafemi said the NDLEA operatives in Lagos State seized a large consignment of codeine-based syrup, at Comfort Oboh area of Kirikiri.

    He said four persons were arrested during the raid. They were Kingsley Amanambu Obumneke, 38; Emeka Emmanuel, 48; Bornaventure Ugochukwu, 59; and Martin Dike, 56.

    Babafemi said 82,000 bottles of the opioid worth more than N600million, a Toyota Tacuma truck and two buses  were recovered on June 10.

    Read Also: NDLEAnabs 110 suspects, recovers 520.385kgs illicit drugs in Kaduna

    Two days later, he added, operatives intercepted another suspect, Ibrahim Abdulhamid with 29,100 pills of tramadol and other opioids as well as 3.9 litres of codeine syrup at Alaba Suru, Ojo local council area of t  he state.

    The statement reads: “   A total of 230,600 pills of tramadol 225mg and 200mg were recovered from the duo of Yasir Rabi’u, 23, and Abubakar Ado, 30, who are major distributors of illicit drugs in Kano and Jigawa states, when they were arrested on Monday 10th June at Gadar Tamburawa area of Kano. In the same vein, another suspect, Hassan Abdullahi Ali, 25, was nabbed with 150 bottles of codeine syrup at Kofar Nassarawa area of Kano on Tuesday 11th June.

    “In Ogun State, NDLEA operatives on Monday, 10th June seized 390kg of cannabis and arrested the trio of Muhammad Sani, Nura Mohammad and Samaila Rabe during an early morning raid at Ibese area, while officers on Wednesday 12th June  bursted a skuchies-making factory at Sabo area of Shagamu town where seven suspects were arrested.

    “They include Kareem Jamiu; Oriyimi Ayo; Bamidele Wasiu; Rasheed Olarewanju; Ramota Lawal; Amudalat Olarewanju; and Adeniyi Omotosho. Exhibits recovered from them include: 387 litres of skuchies; 70 litres of industrial codeine; 25kg cannabis and different quantities of tramadol, rophynol, diazepam, as well as various equipment used in the production of the new psychoactive substance.

    “Not less than 10, 534.78 kilogrammes of cannabis were destroyed on 4.213912 hectares of farmland on Wednesday 12th June when NDLEA officers raided Uhen forest in Ovia Northeast council area of Edo state where four suspects: Frank Ishoku, 38; Clifford Ossai, 49; Vanger Timothy, 30; and John Peter Oluwaseyi, 30, were nabbed and 16kg processed cannabis was recovered for the purpose of prosecution.

    “In a similar development, 18,425kg of the same psychoactive substance on 7.37 hectares of farmland was destroyed by NDLEA operatives supported by personnel of other security agencies in the thick forest of Ise Ekiti, Ekiti State on June 14.

    In Abuja, two suspects: Muhammad Abba, 33, and Samson Ehizogie, 42, were arrested with 3,550 bottles of “Akuskura”, a new mixture of psychotropic substances, by operatives during a raid on Friday, 14th June at Garki Area 10 and Dutse Suokale, both within the FCT.

  • NDLEA seizes drugs worth N4.7b in two busts, arrests siblings, others

    NDLEA seizes drugs worth N4.7b in two busts, arrests siblings, others

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has busted a cartel controlled by a drug baron, 49-year-old Kelechi Monday Nwaobasi and his 50-year-old elder sister, Ms. Chinwe Rose Nwaobasi, in Aba, Abia State.

    Director, Media and Advocacy NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, Femi Babafemi, in a statement on Sunday, said they were arrested by officers of the Special Operation Unit of the agency while cocaine and methamphetamine consignments worth over N4.1billion in street value were seized from their hideout in Aba, Abia state.

    Babafemi said the special operation conducted on Thursday 13th and Friday 14th June, 2024 at 3B,  Boundary Avenue, Aba and a residence along Ohia road, Ohia, Abia State followed months of intelligence gathering.

    This, he said, led to the arrest of the ring leaders and the combined seizure of 20.76 kilograms of cocaine and methamphetamine from them.

    Babafemi said in a related development, NDLEA operatives in Lagos state have uncovered an expansive warehouse stocked with a large consignment of codeine-based syrup, located at Comfort Oboh area of Kirikiri.

    Read Also: NDLEA laments women’s involvement in illicit drug

    He said four persons connected with the importation and distribution of the opioid were arrested during an intelligence-led raid on the facility.

    Those arrested include: Kingsley Amanambu Obumneke, 38; Emeka Emmanuel, 48; Bornaventure Ugochukwu, 59; and Martin Dike, 56.

    Babafemi said a total of 82,000 bottles of the opioid worth more than N600million in street value, Toyota Tacuma truck and two buses used for distributing the substance were recovered from the premises on Monday 10th June 2024 when NDLEA officers conducted the operation. 

    He added two days after, Wednesday 12th June, operatives intercepted another suspect, Ibrahim Abdulhamid with 29,100 pills of tramadol and other opioids as well as 3.9 litres of codeine syrup at Alaba Suru, Ojo local council area of the state.

    The statement reads, “A total of 230,600 pills of tramadol 225mg and 200mg were recovered from the duo of Yasir Rabi’u, 23, and Abubakar Ado, 30, who are major distributors of illicit drugs in Kano and Jigawa states, when they were arrested on Monday 10th June at Gadar Tamburawa area of Kano. In the same vein, another suspect, Hassan Abdullahi Ali, 25, was nabbed with 150 bottles of codeine syrup at Kofar Nassarawa area of Kano on Tuesday 11th June.

    “In Ogun state, NDLEA operatives on Monday 10th June seized 390kg of cannabis and arrested the trio of Muhammad Sani, Nura Mohammad and Samaila Rabe during an early morning raid at Ibese area of the state, while officers on Wednesday 12th June 

    bursted a skuchies making factory at Sabo area of Shagamu town where seven suspects were arrested. 

    “They include: Kareem Jamiu; Oriyimi Ayo; Bamidele Wasiu; Rasheed Olarewanju; Ramota Lawal; Amudalat Olarewanju; and Adeniyi Omotosho. Exhibits recovered from them include: 387 litres of skuchies; 70 litres of industrial codeine; 25kg cannabis and different quantities of tramadol,  rophynol, diazepam, as well as various equipment used in the production of the new psychoactive substance. 

    “Not less than 10, 534.78 kilograms of cannabis were destroyed on 4.213912 hectares of farmland on Wednesday 12th June when NDLEA officers raided Uhen forest in Ovia North East council area of Edo state where four suspects: Frank Ishoku, 38; Clifford Ossai, 49; Vanger Timothy, 30; and John Peter Oluwaseyi, 30, were nabbed and 16kg processed cannabis was recovered for the purpose of prosecution.

    “In a similar development, 18,425kg of the same psychoactive substance on 7.37 hectares of farmland was destroyed by NDLEA operatives supported by personnel of other security agencies in the thick forest of Ise Ekiti, Ekiti state on Friday 14th June.

    In Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, two suspects: Muhammad Abba, 33, and Samson Ehizogie, 42, were arrested with 3,550 bottles of “Akuskura”, a new mixture of psychotropic substances, by operatives during a raid on Friday 14th June at Garki Area 10 and Dutse Suokale, both within the FCT.

    “While Emmanuel Ogechi, 24,  was nabbed with 11,200 pills of tramadol on Wednesday 12th June along Otukpo-Enugu road, by NDLEA operatives in Benue state, Anayo Onwe, 40, was arrested with 62.4kg cannabis sativa at Nteje just as 1kg of methamphetamine belonging to a fleeing suspect, in Oraifite, both in Anambra state was seized. In Kwara state, Muhammed Musa, 24, was  arrested with 33kg cannabis at Bode-Saadu, Jebba, while Shokuro Adeola, 59, was nabbed with 11.5kg of same substance along Lagos-Ibadan expressway, Oyo state. 

    “With the same vigour, Commands and formations of the Agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, sensitization activities to schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others in the past week. 

    “These include: WADA enlightenment lecture for students and teachers of Mind Builder College, Oyo town, Oyo state; students of Demonstration Secondary School, Kabba, Kogi; students of Government Secondary School, Bunkure, Kano; students of Command Day Secondary School, Ede, Osun; students and teachers of Khulafau-Rashideen Islamic School, Babanna, Niger state; and students of Aggrey Memorial Modern School, Arochukwu, Abia state, among others.

    “While commending the officers and men of the Special Operation Unit, Lagos, Ogun, Kano, Ekiti, Oyo, Kwara, Anambra, Benue and FCT Commands of the Agency for the arrests and seizures, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) noted that their operational successes and those of their compatriots across the country are well appreciated. He urged them not to rest on their oars but continue to intensify ongoing drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts.”

  • NDLEA laments women’s involvement in illicit drug

    NDLEA laments women’s involvement in illicit drug

    …as Soludo launches “Clean Anambra of substance abuse”

    National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Anambra state has expressed worry over the growing number of women involved in drug abuse, saying one out of every four users of illicit drugs is a woman.

    State Commandant, Dan Onyishi stated this on Thursday in Awka during the launch of Operation Clean Anambra of Substance Abuse by Healthy Living With Nonye Soludo.

    Delivering a seminar on “Role of Opinion Leaders in Fight against Drug/Substance Abuse in Our Communities”, Onyishi regretted that Nigeria has a 14.4 percent drug abuse prevalence rate, with a 40 percent projection by 2030.

    He said: “According to recent statistics, Nigeria alone has 14.4 percent drug abuse prevalence rate and it was projected that by 2030 it will rise to 40 percent if nothing is done.

    “The major concern is that women, especially young girls are embracing substance abuse. One out of every four drug abusers is women and one out of five will suffer substance abuse disorder.

    “As key nurturers, moulders and caregivers in the society, women should not be involved in illicit drug abuse. As an agency, we are taking the sensitisation and enforcement into the communities because the grassroots campaign is one sure way to address the menace of drug abuse.

    “We’ll also collaborate with the governor’s wife who is Chairperson of the State Drug Control Committee in the state so that the 40% projections would not come to pass in the state.”

    Wife of the State Governor, Dr Nonye Soludo lamented that substance abuse had become a pandemic in the society and required collective effort to tackle.

    She blamed the high rate of crimes, violence, and health complications especially among youths to the menace, urging parents to be closer to their children to monitor their activities, listen, and counsel them daily.

    She said: “Watching our young, vibrant population held back and fighting for freedom from this avoidable danger brought tears to my eyes. That visit is one of the reasons we are here today

    “Most disheartening is the fact that these dangerous substances have found their way into schools and into the hands of children.

    “The illicit drug economies are booming to the detriment of our society. The proliferation of synthetic psychoactive substances is another issue of crunch concern.

    Read Also: NDLEA intercepts shipment of 175, 000 bottles of Codeine from India

    “Our homes are losing the sacredness of culture and moral traditions. Our communities have become havens for drug peddlers and manufacturers who use the element of fear and intimidation to silence the people who are willing to assist local authorities with valid information.

    “Unemployment, deprivations, and social crisis have also played their part in heightening the danger. It is now time to take the bull by the horns and approach the problem with the seriousness that it deserves.

    Earlier, Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike said that the campaign would save the youths from degenerating into a generational tragedy with drug addiction.

    President-General of Anambra State Association of Town Union, Titus Akpudo promised to take the message against substance abuse to the nooks and crannies of the state.

  • NDLEA intercepts shipment of 175, 000 bottles of Codeine from India

    NDLEA intercepts shipment of 175, 000 bottles of Codeine from India

    •Also U.S., UK-bound opioids in ladies’ hair

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted another consignment of 175,000 bottles of the codeine-based syrup imported from India at the Port Harcourt Port Complex in Onne, Rivers State.

    Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA headquarters, Abuja, Femi Babafemi, who made this known yesterday, pointed out this comes barely a week after another shipment of 175, 000 bottles of the same drug was seized at the same port.

    Babafemi said the two seizures followed earlier intelligence, which made the agency request that the shipment be stepped down for 100 per cent examination.

    He said the latest seizure of 875 cartons of codeine containing 175,000 bottles and weighing 26,250kg, was made last Friday during a joint examination by NDLEA, Customs Service and other security agencies.

    Babafemi said the container marked HASU 4787890 from India was enroute C to C bonded Terminal in Enugu.

    The statement indicated that in the same vein, NDLEA officers of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation (DOGI) on June 5 intercepted five various parcels of illicit drugs concealed in ladies’ clothes and synthetic hair going to the United States and United Kingdom.

    The statement reads: “Some of the seized drugs include 620 ampoules of pentazocine injection, promethazine and other opioids. The drug consignments were seized at a courier firm in Lagos.

    Read Also: Police arrest suspected internet fraudster for alleged theft of car, N30m

    “In Kebbi State, NDLEA operatives on patrol along Kalgo-Birnin Kebbi Road on Saturday, 8th June arrested a 32-year-old Nigerien, Hassan Mummuni with 4,000 pills of diazepam and 1.250kg cannabis, concealed in four pesticide tanks, while operatives in Gombe state same day arrested Ibrahim Abubakar (aka Alhajiji) at Herwagana, with 6,740 pills of tramadol and 20,000 tablets of diazepam.

    “Not less than 1,098 bottles of codeine-based syrup were recovered from a suspect, Onyekachi ThankGod Iwula, 42, following his arrest in a commercial bus at Aloma Junction, Otukpa, Ogbadibo LGA, Benue State.

    “In Bauchi State, NDLEA officers on patrol along Ningi-Kano road on Wednesday, 5th June arrested a 20-year-old lady, Hasana Usman, with 25 blocks of cannabis sativa that weighed 28.2kg, while their counterparts in Yobe state nabbed Ali Mohammed, 42, along Kano-Potiskum road,  with 19,000 pills of tramadol 225mg concealed in a black sack and the suspect’s travelling bag.

    “In Oyo state, 57-year-old Oladimeji Samson was arrested in a commercial bus at the Ibadan end, of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway with 79 blocks of cannabis sativa weighing of 44.4kg and 48 grams of ecstasy, all concealed in the engine compartment under the driver’s seat of the bus.

    “Not less than 17,980 pills of tramadol and other opioids were seized from a suspect, Ali Isiaka Mohammed, 36, following his arrest at Ganaja village, Lokoja LGA, Kogi state, while the duo of Blessing Samuel, 35, and Unnanchi Mike, 34, were arrested with 804 bottles of codeine syrup at Narayi, Kaduna state. Also in Kaduna, Tijjani Umar, 37, and Yahaya Suleman, 35, were arrested with 33.9 kilogrammes of cannabis sativa at Lafiya area, Kudan Local Government Area of the state.”

  • NDLEA intercepts another shipment containing 175, 000 bottles of codeine from India

    NDLEA intercepts another shipment containing 175, 000 bottles of codeine from India

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it has again intercepted another consignment of 175,000 bottles of the codeine-based syrup imported from India at the Port Harcourt Port Complex in Onne, Rivers State.

    Director, Media and Advocacy

    NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, Femi Babafemi, who made this known in a statement on Sunday, June 9, pointed out that this comes barely a week after another shipment of 175, 000 bottles of the same drug was seized at the same port.

    Babafemi said the two seizures followed earlier intelligence, which made the agency to request that the shipment be stepped down for 100 percent examination. 

    He said the latest seizure of 875 cartons of codeine containing 175,000 bottles and weighing 26,250kg, was made on Friday 7th June 2024 during a joint examination by NDLEA, Customs Service and other security agencies. 

    Babafemi said the container marked HASU 4787890 from India was enroute C to C bonded terminal in Enugu. 

    The statement indicated that in the same vein, NDLEA officers of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation (DOGI) on Wednesday 5th June intercepted five different parcels containing illicit drugs concealed in ladies’ clothes and synthetic hair going to the United States and United Kingdom. 

    The statement reads, “Some of the seized drugs include 620 ampoules of pentazocine injection, promethazine and other opioids. The drug consignments were seized at a courier firm in Lagos.

    “In Kebbi state, NDLEA operatives on patrol along Kalgo-Birnin Kebbi road on Saturday 8th June arrested a 32-year-old Nigerien, Hassan Mummuni with 4,000 pills of diazepam and 1.250kg cannabis, concealed in four pesticide tanks, while operatives in Gombe state same day arrested Ibrahim Abubakar (aka Alhajiji) at Herwagana, with 6,740 pills of tramadol and 20,000 tablets of diazepam. 

    “Not less than 1,098 bottles of codeine-based syrup were recovered from a suspect, Onyekachi ThankGod Iwula, 42, following his arrest in a commercial bus at Aloma junction, Otukpa, Ogbadibo LGA, Benue state.

    “In Bauchi state, NDLEA officers on patrol along Ningi-Kano road on Wednesday 5th June arrested a 20-year-old lady, Hasana Usman, with 25 blocks of cannabis sativa that weighed 28.2kg, while their counterparts in Yobe state nabbed Ali Mohammed, 42, along Kano-Potiskum road,  with 19,000 pills of tramadol 225mg concealed in a black sack and the suspect’s travelling bag.

    “In Oyo state, 57-year-old Oladimeji Samson was arrested in a commercial bus at the Ibadan end, of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway with 79 blocks of cannabis sativa weighing of 44.4kg and 48 grams of ecstasy, all concealed in the engine compartment under the driver’s seat of the bus.

    Read Also: NDLEAnabs 110 suspects, recovers 520.385kgs illicit drugs in Kaduna

    “Not less than 17,980 pills of tramadol and other opioids were seized from a suspect, Ali Isiaka Mohammed, 36, following his arrest at Ganaja village, Lokoja LGA, Kogi state, while the duo of Blessing Samuel, 35, and Unnanchi Mike, 34, were arrested with 804 bottles of codeine syrup at Narayi, Kaduna state. Also in Kaduna, Tijjani Umar, 37, and Yahaya Suleman, 35, were arrested with 33.9 kilograms of cannabis sativa at Lafiya area, Kudan local government area of the state.”

    Babafemi said at least, nine suspects including Salisu Sanda, 48, and James Andrew, 25, were arrested by NDLEA operatives during a raid at Toaabora hills area of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja on Saturday 8th June with a total of 83.01kg cannabis recovered from them.

    He said with the same drive, Commands and formations of the Agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, sensitization activities in schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others in the past week.

    “These include: WADA enlightenment lecture for students and teachers of Dibal Progressive Academy, Kano; students of Muslim Comprehensive High School, Saki, Oyo state; students and staff of St. David Grammar School, Ile-Ife, Osun state;  students of Wisdom Rules College, Ukpakiri, Abia state; traditional rulers and community leaders in Ilorin, Kwara state as well as a WADA advocacy visit to the Cross River state governor, Senator Bassey Otu.

    “While commending the officers and men of PHPC, Gombe, Benue, Kogi, Kaduna, Oyo, Yobe, Bauchi, Kebbi and FCT Commands as well as those of DOGI for the arrests and seizures, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) noted their drug supply reduction efforts balanced with WADA sensitization activities while he charged them and their compatriots across the country to maintain the zeal and tempo,” he said.

  • NDLEAnabs 110 suspects, recovers 520.385kgs illicit drugs in Kaduna

    NDLEAnabs 110 suspects, recovers 520.385kgs illicit drugs in Kaduna

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Kaduna State Command, said its operatives have arrested 110 suspects and recovered  520.385kgs of illicit substances in the month of May.

    Its Commander, Mr Samaila Danmalam, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Kaduna.

    Danmalam said, “The command in the month of May  arrested 110 suspects comprising 105 males and five females.”

    He disclosed that the agency also seized various illicit substances that included  cocaine, Indian hemp, Tramadol and Methamphetamine, among others, weighing 520.385kgs.

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    Danamalam added that 10  illicit drug joints were dismantled in the state.

    The commander said that the command secured the conviction of 12 suspects and arraigned 22 others within the month under review.

    He explained that in its efforts to combat the drug scourge in the state through drug demand reduction activities, the command carried out numerous sensitization programmes across the state.

    “This was with the aim of enlightening the citizenry on the ills associated with drug use and illicit trafficking while simultaneously counselling and rehabilitation of drug dependent persons,” he added.

    Danmalam  appealed to the public to shun illicit drug activities and trafficking.

    He urged the citizens to provide useful and timely information to assist the command in carrying out its mandate in the state.

    (NAN)