SIX soldiers allegedly responsible for the death of an NDLEA official, Kingsley Chimetalo, have been court-martialed and dismissed by the Nigeria Army.
Four of the soldiers allegedly involved have been handed over to the police while two others ran away.
The four dismissed soldiers include 24-year-old Sani Munzani, 26-year-old Abubakar Auwalu, 23-year-old Abubakar Sani and 22-year-old Muazu Hassan.
It was learnt that the soldiers killed the NDLEA official in March 2024 when they attacked some NDLEA personnel for stopping them during a stop and search operation at Ramat Junction in Bida.
The fight led to Chimetalo being stabbed in the back with a jack knife by one of the suspects while his rifle was taken away.
The injured officer was taken to FMC Bida where he later gave up the ghost and was confirmed dead.
While investigating the incident, police operatives attached to ‘A’ Division Bida found the officer’s rifle in a nearby bush without a magazine.
After an investigation in collaboration with 18 Brigade, Nigeria Army Bida, six soldiers were identified, court-martialed and dismissed while two others escaped.
The Public Relations Officer, of the Niger State Police Command, Wasiu Abiodun, a Superintendent of Police (SP), said the four suspects were handed over to the police on May 20, 2024 for prosecution.
He added that during interrogation, Sani Munzani confessed to stabbing the deceased.
Abiodun said that all the suspects were under investigation in SCID Minna and would be charged to court for prosecution as soon as investigation was concluded.
Six soldiers allegedly responsible for the death of an NDLEA Officer, Kingsley Chimetalo have been court martialed and dismissed by the Nigeria Army.
Four of the soldiers involved have been handed over to the police while two ran away. The four dismissed soldiers include Sani Munzani, 24; Abubakar Auwalu, 26; Abubakar Sani, 23 and Muazu Hassan, 22.
It was learnt the soldiers killed the NDLEA Officer in March 2024 when they attacked NDLEA officers for stopping them during a stop and search operation at Ramat Junction in Bida.
The fight led to Chimetalo being stabbed at the back with a jack-knife by one of the suspects and his rifle taken away.
The injured officer was taken to FMC Bida where he was later confirmed dead. While investigating the incident, Police operatives attached to ‘A’ Division Bida found the officer’s rifle in a nearby bush without a magazine.
After an investigation in collaboration with 18 Brigade, Nigeria Army Bida, six soldiers were later identified, court martialed and dismissed while two escaped.
Niger Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun said that the four suspects were handed over to the Police on May 20, 2024 for prosecution adding that during interrogation, Sani Munzani confessed to the stabbing of the deceased.
Abiodun said that all the suspects were under investigation in SCID Minna and will be charged to court for prosecution as soon as investigation was concluded.
A couple, Kazeem Omogoriola Owoalade (alias Abdul Qassim Adisa Balogun) and Rashidat Ayinke Owoalade (alias Bolarinwa Rashidat Ayinke), who allegedly runs a cocaine cartel from India has been declared wanted by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Director, Media and Advocacy,
NDLEA Headquarters Abuja, Femi Babafemi, who disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, said this followed the arrest of four members of the syndicate in Lagos.
Babafemi said in the operations, a Sports Utility Vehicle was recovered and two houses already traced to them sealed for forfeiture to the Federal Government.
Babafemi said two members of the syndicate: Imran Taofeek Olalekan and Ishola Isiaka Olalekan were arrested on April 3, 2024 following their bid to export 3.40kg cocaine on a Qatar Airlines flight going to Oman through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA Ikeja Lagos.
According to the statement, while Imran was the courier conveying the drug consignment to Oman, Ishola recruited him for the head of the cartel, which investigation has now revealed to be Alhaji Kazeem Omogoriola Owoalade.
Babafemi said Owoalade’s Indian residence permit bears Abdul Qassim Adisa Balogun based in India.
The spokesman said efforts to dismantle his network in Nigeria paid off after five weeks of surveillance and follow up operations when another member of the syndicate, Hamed Abimbola Saheed who works directly with the baron was arrested on Tuesday 14th May at Abule Egba area of Lagos.
Babafemi said it was indeed Saheed who lodged Imran in a hotel a day before his aborted trip to Oman and equally dropped him and Ishola at the Lagos airport the day they were arrested.
He said during a search of Hamed house, NDLEA operatives recovered some phenacetine, a cutting agent for Cocaine, weighing 900 grams.
According to the statement, he confessed that the recovered substance was what was left of the consignment Imran was taking to Oman the day he was arrested.
The statement revealed that his arrest led to a follow up operation at the home of the Owoalade couple at 20 Eyiaro street, Ogudu Orioke, Lagos where another suspect was arrested and a new model Toyota RAV4 SUV marked FKJ-773 JJ belonging to Rashidat and additional 400 grams of Cocaine were recovered.
This is stated was in addition to already prepared suitcases to be used for illicit drug concealment, digital weighing scales and other paraphernalia.
Babafemi also disclosed that four suspects were arrested in connection with the seizure of 2,025 pieces of improvised explosive devices (IED) materials intercepted in a Toyota hummer bus marked AGL 905 XX by NDLEA officers along Agaie – Lapai road, Niger state.
He said while the duo of Abdulrauf Shitu Adeyemi, 46, and Asmiyu Rahim, 45, conyeying the IED materials were arrested on the spot, follow up operations led to the arrest of Husaini Abdullahi, 25, at Sokoto main market, Sokoto and Nazifi Abdullahi, 37, at Naibawa Motor Park, Kano on Friday 17th May.
Babafemi said the Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) has directed that all four suspects and the explosive materials be transferred to the appropriate security agency for further investigation.
In another operation, he said, Muhammad Lawal, 42, was nabbed at Central Market Motor Park, Katsina State with 1,000 Ampoules of Pentazocine injection.
Babafemi said in the same vein, NDLEA officers of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigations, DOGI, attached to a courier firm in Lagos on Wednesday 15th May intercepted two parcels, containing Cocaine and Amphetamine concealed in steel bolts and shea butter.
He said while the cocaine weighing 587 grams, was concealed in eight steel bolt screws going to China, the Amphetamine consignment packed in vape pens and hidden in shea butter was going to the United Kingdom.
The statement reads, “Attempt by Emeka Nwadiaro (a.k.a Mega) to export 3.6kg Loud, a strain of cannabis concealed in 36 water flasks to Dubai, UAE was also thwarted at a logistic company in Port Harcourt, Rivers state on Thursday 16th May while a swift follow up operation led to the arrest of the owner of the consignment, Emeka Nwadiaro in Onitsha, Anambra state same day.
“While NDLEA operatives in Lagos intercepted a mercedes benz bus loaded with 840kg cannabis and arrested the driver, Samuel Henry, at Olojo in Ojo LGA, Lagos, another suspect, Lawal Adam was nabbed along Otukpo road, Aliade, Benue state on Friday 17th May with 75,000 pills of opioids including tramadol and exol-5. Two suspects: Olisa Etisi, 32, and Jonathan Umeh, 25, were arrested along Owerri – Onitsha road, Imo state following the discovery by NDLEA operatives of a big gas cyclinder used to conceal six blocks of Loud, a strain of cannabis weighing 3.85kg.
“In Borno state, 70-year-old Adamu Mohammed was arrested at Mbulamel, Biu LGA on Thursday 16th May with 2kg cannabis and 33.55grams of diazepam, while Gaddafi Sani, 27, was arrested with 30 kilograms of cannabis along Abuja-Kaduna road, Kaduna.
“In Yobe state, a consignment of 91.1kg opioids and 13kg cannabis going to Maiduguri, Borno state, was recovered from hidden compartments of a petrol tanker along Potiskum-Damaturu road by NDLEA officers who arrested the driver, Ismaila Ali.
“The Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) has directed that all four suspects and the explosive materials be transferred to the appropriate security agency for further investigation. In another operation, Muhammad Lawal, 42, was nabbed at Central Market Motor Park, Katsina State with 1,000 Ampoules of Pentazocine injection.
“A total of 105kg cannabis was on Friday 17th May recovered from a house at Obola community, Owan West LGA, Edo state and a suspect, Gloria Oris arrested when NDLEA officers raided the area. In Kwara state, two suspects: Abdulganiyu Karaman, 55, and Sunday Abel, 37, were on Saturday 18th May arrested with 83kg cannabis and tramadol at Boriya, Baruten LGA, and Offa respectively.
“With the same vigour, the various commands of the Agency across the country continued with the War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, advocacy campaign in the past week. Some of them include: WADA sensitisation lecture for students and teachers of Government Girls Science secondary school, Malumfashi and Government Girls Science Secondary School, Daudawa, Katsina; Government Girls Science College, Tunga Magajiya Rijau LGA, Niger state; students and teachers of St. Theresa’s College Oke-Ado, Ibadan, Oyo state; students of Government Girls Secondary School, Tudun Wada, Kano; students of Dein secondary school, Imobi secondary school and St. Columbas Grammar School, Agbor, Delta State.
“While commending the officers and men of the MMIA, Rivers, Lagos, Kano, Kaduna, Yobe, Borno, Niger, Benue, Kwara, Imo, and Edo Commands of the Agency as well as those of DOGI for their outstanding feats in the past week, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) said the efforts have further affirmed the cardinal role of NDLEA in the security architecture of the country. He equally applauded their counterparts in all the commands across the country for intensifying their WADA advocacy lectures to create a fair balance between their drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction activities.”
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted three trailer loads of opioids comprising 3,450,000 pills and 344,000 bottles of codeine syrup at Abule Ado in Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos State.
Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters Abuja, Femi Babafemi, who made this known in a statement yesterday, said some suspects were also arrested in connection with the seizure.
Babafemi did not give a specific sum of the drugs’ worth, but said the multi-billion naira consignments were loaded into two 40-foot container trucks and another 20-foot truck at the AML bonded terminal, Abule-Osun, near the International Trade Fair complex.
He said the trucks then headed for a large warehouse at Abule-Ado where NDLEA officers eventually arrested the suspects and recovered the opioid consignments last Thursday.
According to the statement, those arrested include the warehouse agent, Cosmas Obiajulu, 51; Ridwan Balogun, 25, and Banjo Tayo, 30, both drivers of two of the trucks.
Babafemi said the third driver jumped off to escape arrest.
He said in the same vein, NDLEA operatives on Tuesday 7th May arrested a suspect, Nwankwo Ejike in Coker area of Lagos where 100 litres of codeine syrup was recovered from him.
He added that 60 litres of the same substance was seized from one Clinton Akinye in the same area the same day.
The statement reads, “Not less than 37.5kg of cannabis sativa loaded in a Toyota camry car was recovered from another suspect, Adegbola Segun, 47, when the car was intercepted at Mile 12 area of Lagos on Monday, May 6.
“Another consignment of opioids consisting of 59,106 pills of tramadol and different quantities of codeine syrup and rohypnol being taken across the border to Garua, Cameroon was intercepted by NDLEA officers on Monday 6th May along Mubi-Yola road, Adamawa state. Two suspects linked to the drugs: Abubakar Auwal, 39, and Adamu Abubakar, 25, (a.k.a Bamanga), a trans-border trafficker who was to take the consignment from Mubi across to Cameroon were promptly arrested.
“In Edo State, NDLEA operatives on Saturday 11th May raided the Iguiye forest in Ovia North East LGA, where a total of 11, 636.185kg cannabis was destroyed on three farms measuring 4.654474 hectares, while additional 188kg of the same psychoactive substance was recovered and a suspect, Itah Nyong was arrested during the overnight operation.
“A 75-year-old grandpa, Jibril Audu was on Friday, May 10, arrested with 7.5 kilogrammes 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.
“The NDLEA Commands across the country balanced their drug supply reduction operations with War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, advocacy campaigns to schools, markets, worship centres and communities. Some of these include: WADA sensitisation lecture to: Muslim faithful at Sultan Bello Jummat Mosque, Kaduna; students of Oduduwa University and Oduduwa Polytechnic, Ipetumodu, Osun; students of Nigerian Tulip International Colleges (Boys Section), Kano; students of Federal University of Technology, Babura, Jigawa; students of Father Tansi International College, Okpuno Awka, Anambra; WADA advocacy visit to Delta state First Lady Deaconess Tobore Oborevwori and similar advocacy visit to the Founder City of God cathedral, Cardinal James Omolaja Odunmbaku who was joined by Ojodu LCDA Chairman, Hon. Segun Odunmbaku in Ojodu area of Lagos State.
“While commending the efforts of the Lagos, Edo, Ekiti, Benue and Adamawa Commands of the agency for jobs well done in the past week, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) assured that officers and men of the agency will continue to work with local and international partners to ensure that the scourge of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking is brought to the barest minimum in Nigeria.
The leadership of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Kaduna state branch, has told the operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in the state to stop harassing its members without provocation.
Addressing newsmen in Kaduna, the chairman, PSN Kaduna state branch, Pharm. Sunday Ali Okoh flanked by other executive members and members, noted that in 2024 alone, about five of their members were harassed by NDLEA without regard for the rule of engagement.
According to them, they were not against bringing any pharmacist found wanting in illegal and or unlawful drug deals to book by the concerned authorities, they reject any act of distortion of facts and profiling their members with photography without thorough investigation.
They therefore called on President Bola Tinubu, the National Assembly, and other stakeholders to rescue their members from incessant harassment of their members who are professionally trained and registered pharmacists by the NDLEA.
“We wish to, by this medium, draw the attention of the Federal and State Government as well as relevant stakeholders and the general public to the incessant harassment of members of PSN in the hands of the NDLEA, Kaduna State Command for some time now and we say enough is enough.
“And we say to NDLEA to respect the rights of patients and allow pharmacists to carry out their statutory roles. All over the planet earth, the rights to medications (life) are fundamental.
“It is worthy to note that pharmacists are licensed to import, export, mix, compound, prepare/dispense, sell, procure, and distribute drugs and poisons (PCN Establishment Aet 2022).
“Times without number, the NDLEA has unduly, illegally, and professionally obstructed and hindered these life-saving roles only to feather their nest, exploit Nigerians, and force their victims to give assent that bail is free.
“Law enforcement agents have become lawbreakers. What a shame! Enough is enough NDLEA, to allow pharmacists to do their work. Arresting pharmacists and obstructing bail application with a cover-up – investigation is ongoing, confiscating prescription drugs at pharmacies and placing a seal on the pharmacies can no longer go down the throat.
“Pharmacies are legal entities and many patients’ medications are stored in them. Sealing up pharmacies is as good as denying the citizens the right to life.
“We call on the National Assembly and the Presidency to curtail the excesses of NDLEA in Kaduna State.
“We wish all authorities concerned will take appropriate measures to tackle this menace which does not only affect members of PSN but also the society at large”, they said.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Ekiti State Command has called on the security agencies and other stakeholders to collaborate with the agency in its fight against drug abuse.
The state commander, Aina Rufus made the appeal in Ado-Ekiti during the Live Free Project organised by Kayode Adamolekun Foundation themed: “It Takes a Village: Collective Responsibility For Lasting Change.”
Rufus, who expressed worry over the high incidence of substance abuse by youths in the state, said that violent tendencies exhibited by youths are a result of intake of illicit drugs.
The NDLEA boss added that the issue of drug abuse was becoming overwhelming for the government, hence the need for security agencies, and individual and group efforts to curb it.
He commended the foundation for its sustained efforts in tackling drug abuse among youths through sensitization of students to the dangers associated with drug abuse.
The founder of the Kayode Adamolekun Foundation, Engr. Kayode Adamolekun who advocated stiffer penalties for drug abusers, backed the bill prescribing the death penalty for persons found guilty of trading or consuming hard drugs.
He explained that the stiff punishment prescribed by the bill before the National Assembly would deter peddlers and sellers from engaging in drug-related activities.
He said: “I can’t wait to see the President assent his signature. That bill must be signed into law. If there are no peddlers and sellers, nobody will buy. If we leave people who are selling in the industry and we want to keep chasing people in the rural areas, we are not going to succeed. If we deal with the source, then we would have gone halfway in dealing with the issue of drugs in our society. It was a fantastic news.
“It’s simply doing our best to contribute to the society we belong and to see the kind of country we desire and there is nothing more than that. Sometimes, if you do a programme and one person gets the message, you have done well. We are seeing results and sometimes it may take years for us to see the result of what we are doing en masse but I know we are changing our society.
“We keep blaming our representatives, governors, and Presidents. What are you doing to change the narrative? My appeal to our youths is that we should not allow the situation of the country to weigh us down. Let us arise and do our bid to change the country. We can be great. I employ all the youths to rise to the responsibility.”
…arrests 75-year-old grandpa in Ekiti, 70-year-old grandma in Benue for illicit drug dealing
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it has intercepted three trailer loads of opioids comprising 3,450,000 pills and 344,000 bottles of codeine syrup at Abule Ado in Amuwo Odofin local government area of Lagos state.
The director of media and advocacy at NDLEA Headquarters Abuja, Femi Babafemi, who disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, May 12, said that suspects were also arrested in connection with the seizure.
Babafemi did not give a specific sum of the drugs’ worth but said the multi-billion naira consignments were loaded into two 40-foot container trucks and another 20-foot truck at the AML bonded terminal, Abule-Osun, near the International Trade Fair complex.
He said, the trucks then headed for a large warehouse at Abule-Ado where NDLEA officers eventually arrested the suspects and recovered the opioid consignments on Thursday, May 9.
According to the statement, those arrested include the warehouse agent, Cosmas Obiajulu, 51; Ridwan Balogun, 25, and Banjo Tayo, 30, both drivers of two of the trucks.
Babafemi said the third driver jumped off to escape arrest.
He said in the same vein, NDLEA operatives on Tuesday 7th May arrested a suspect, Nwankwo Ejike in the Coker area of Lagos where 100 litres of codeine syrup was recovered from him.
He added that 60 litres of the same substance were seized from one Clinton Akinye in the same area the same day.
The statement reads: “Not less than 37.5kg of cannabis sativa loaded in a Toyota Camry car was recovered from another suspect, Adegbola Segun, 47, when the car was intercepted at Mile 12 area of Lagos on Monday 6th May.
“Another consignment of opioids consisting of 59,106 pills of tramadol and different quantities of codeine syrup and Rohypnol being taken across the border to Garua, Cameroon was intercepted by NDLEA officers on Monday 6th May along Mubi-Yola road, Adamawa state. Two suspects linked to the drugs: Abubakar Auwal, 39, and Adamu Abubakar, 25, (a.k.a Bamanga), a trans-border trafficker who was to take the consignment from Mubi across to Cameroon were promptly arrested.
“In Edo state, NDLEA operatives on Saturday 11th May raided the Iguiye forest in Ovia North East LGA, where a total of 11, 636.185kg cannabis was destroyed on three farms measuring 4.654474 hectares, while an additional 188kg of the same psychoactive substance was recovered and a suspect, Itah Nyong was arrested during the overnight operation.
“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.
“The NDLEA commands across the country balanced their drug supply reduction operations with War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, advocacy campaigns to schools, markets, worship centres, and communities. Some of these include the WADA sensitisation lecture to Muslim faithful at Sultan Bello Jummat Mosque, Kaduna; students of Oduduwa University and Oduduwa Polytechnic, Ipetumodu, Osun; students of Nigerian Tulip International Colleges (Boys Section), Kano; students of Federal University of Technology, Babura, Jigawa; students of Father Tansi International College, Okpuno Awka, Anambra; WADA advocacy visit to Delta state First Lady Deaconess Tobore Oborevwori and similar advocacy visit to the Founder City of God cathedral, Cardinal James Omolaja Odunmbaku who was joined by Ojodu LCDA Chairman, Hon. Segun Odunmbaku in Ojodu area of Lagos state.
“While commending the efforts of the Lagos, Edo, Ekiti, Benue, and Adamawa Commands of the Agency for jobs well done in the past week, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) assured that officers and men of the Agency will continue to work with local and international partners to ensure that the scourge of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking is brought to the barest minimum in Nigeria.”
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA) Ekiti State Command, has called on the security agencies and other stakeholders to collaborate with the agency in its fight against drug abuse.
The State Commander, Mr. Aina Rufus made the appeal in Ado-Ekiti during the Live Free Project organised by Kayode Adamolekun Foundation themed: “It takes a Village: Collective Responsibility For Lasting Change.”
Rufus, who expressed worry over the high incidence of substance abuse by youths in the state, said that violent tendencies exhibited by youths are a result of intake of illicit drugs.
The NDLEA boss added that the issue of drug abuse was becoming overwhelming for the government, hence the need for security agencies, individual and group efforts to curb it.
He commended the foundation for its sustained efforts in tackling drug abuse among youths through sensitization of students on the dangers associated with drug abuse.
He said, “The war against drug abuse is a collective responsibility. NDLEA is the lead agency in the fight against drug abuse and trafficking but NDLEA cannot do it alone. All hands must be on deck if we want to have a drug-free society.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has smashed an international drug syndicate with networks in parts of Nigeria, South Africa and Thailand, according to a statement by its Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters Abuja, Femi Babafemi yesterday.
Babafemi said five members of the cartel were arrested in a two-week intelligence-led operations in Lagos, Abia and Anambra states, following the seizure of their illicit drug consignments at the NAHCO import shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja Lagos.
He said the unravelling of the drug cartel started on April 20, when their cargo of four big suitcases, arrived at the NAHCO shed on an Air Peace airline flight from Johannesburg, South Africa.
Babafemi said after days of close monitoring and investigation, the first suspect, Umeh Chisom Peter was arrested on April 24, after he showed up to pick two of the suitcases containing Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis owned by a Thailand-based member of the syndicate, Obum Michael.
According to the statement, the consignment of four parcels was concealed in false bottoms of the two suitcases, while the four suitcases contain a total of 17.6 kilograms Loud and drug candies.
The NDLEA said another member of the syndicate, Mrs. Chiwendu Uche Ugbe, whose South Africa-based husband, Aloytus Uche Ugbe, sent some of the consignments, was traced to Anambra State where NDLEA officers arrested her on April 27, while attempting to collect the drug parcels.
Two other suspects: Onyejakor Francis Chimezie and Naaji Valentine Chukwukere, with links to the cartel were also arrested in parts of Lagos on April 29, the statement added.
Babafemi said their arrest led to another operation in Abia State where Mrs. Chinazo Osigwe was arrested when she was to pick up some of the parcels containing Loud and drug candies sent by her husband, Osigwe Chidiebere Anthony, who is equally operating from South Africa.
This was according to a statement by the Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters Abuja, Femi Babafemi on Sunday, May 5.
Babafemi said five members of the cartel were arrested in a two-week intelligence led operations in Lagos, Abia and Anambra states following the seizure of their illicit drug consignments at the NAHCO import shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja Lagos.
He said the unravelling of the drug cartel started on Sunday 20th April when their cargo of four big suitcases arrived the NAHCO shed on an Air Peace airline flight from Johannesburg, South Africa.
Babafemi said after days of close monitoring and investigation, the first suspect, Umeh Chisom Peter was arrested on Wednesday 24th April after he showed up to pick two of the suitcases containing Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis owned by a Thailand based member of the syndicate, Obum Michael.
According to the statement, the consignment of four parcels was concealed in false bottoms of the two suitcases, while the four suitcases contain a total of 17.6 kilograms Loud and drug candies.
The NDLEA said another member of the syndicate, Chiwendu Uche Ugbe whose South Africa based husband, Aloytus Uche Ugbe sent some of the consignments, was traced to Anambra state where NDLEA officers arrested her on Saturday 27th April while attempting to collect the drug parcels sent to her by her husband.
Two other suspects: Onyejakor Francis Chimezie and Naaji Valentine Chukwukere, with links to the cartel were also arrested in parts of Lagos on Monday 29th April, the statement revealed.
Babafemi said their arrest led to another operation in Abia state where Mrs. Chinazo Osigwe was arrested when she was to pick up some of the parcels containing Loud and drug candies sent by her husband, Osigwe Chidiebere Anthony who is equally operating from South Africa.
The spokesman also said NDLEA operatives on stop and search operation along Abuja-Abaji highway on Wednesday 1st May intercepted a 40-ft gas tanker marked RBC 77XG and upon a thorough search discovered 511 jumbo sacks of cannabis sativa weighing 4,752kg concealed in the gas tank compartment of the truck.
He said the consignment was loaded into the tanker in Ondo state and meant to be delivered in Abuja for further distribution.
He disclosed that four suspects: Efe Abel Mikel, 39; Ebigide Cyril, 29; Ejechi Monday, 41; and Friday Benson Chukwudi, 39, have been arrested in connection with the seizure.
The statement reads: “While two suspects: Aminu Umar, 25, and Anas Umar, 22, were arrested with 207.1 kilograms of cannabis sativa in their house at Unguwan Rimi, Basawa, Samaru, Zaria, Kaduna state on Monday 29th April, Bashir Umar, 35, was nabbed at Ladanai, Hotoro area of Kano on Friday 3rd May with 194 bottles of codeine syrup.
“In Osun state, NDLEA operatives on Wednesday 1st May arrested an ex-convict, 51-year-old Suleiman Usman who is currently facing trial for another drug offence at the Federal High Court Osogbo. At the time of his latest arrest at Okinni town, Suleiman was found in possession of 4.4grams of Cocaine, 28.5kg of cannabis sativa, 20 tabs of rophynol weighing 6.2grams and 812 pills of tramadol.
“The following day, Thursday 2nd May, NDLEA operatives at Agbara checkpoint, Seme border, Badagry Lagos intercepted a Toyota camry car marked KJA 825 FT conveying 113 jumbo parcels of cannabis with a total weight of 64kg. The driver, Charles Amoni, 45, was promptly arrested.
“In Bauchi state, NDLEA operatives on patrol along Bauchi-Jos road on Monday 29th April arrested Clement Chukwuka, 39, with 595 bottles of codeine; 38,260 pills of opioids such as tramadol, rohypnol and diazepam, while another suspect, Friday Ibochi was nabbed at NDLEA check point, Aloma junction, Otukpa, Benue state onTuesday 30th April with 66 blocks of cannabis weighing 33kg. In the same vein, 42-year-old Ifeanyi Stanley was arrested with 12kg of same substance at Swali Jetty, Yenagoa, Bayelsa state.
“With the same vigour, the various commands of the Agency across the country continued with the War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, advocacy campaign in the past week. Some of them include: WADA sensitisation lecture for students and teachers of Ekimogun Community Grammar School, Bolorunduro, Ondo East LGA, Ondo state; students of Lafenwa High School (Senior), Abeokuta, Ogun state; students of Sky Brain International School, Enugu Ezike, Enugu state; intending Muslim pilgrims on dangers of illicit drug trafficking, Katsina state and WADA advocacy visit to Olobaoke of Oba Oke land, Oba Adam Iyiola Bamidele Yusuf and his chiefs, Osun state as well as WADA advocacy visit to Lagos state First Lady, Dr. Mrs. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu.
“While commending the officers and men of the MMIA, FCT, Kano, Kaduna, Osun, Seme, Bayelsa, Bauchi, and Benue Commands of the Agency for their outstanding feats in the past week, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) equally applauded their counterparts in all the commands across the country for intensifying their WADA advocacy lectures.”
