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Tag: NDLEA

  • Navy hands over N70m seized cannabis sativa to NDLEA in Badagry

    Navy hands over N70m seized cannabis sativa to NDLEA in Badagry

    The Forward Operating Base (FOB) of the Nigerian Navy, Badagry, Lagos, handed over 50 sacks of cannabis sativa worth N70 million to the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA) in Badagry.

    On the seizures, Lt. Cdt. Kelly Umoru, the Base Operations Officer, FOB, representing the Commanding Officer FOB, Navy Captain Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, said they seized the suspected cannabis sativa on Sunday.

    “On Nov. 19, at about 6.30.a.m, they got an intelligence tip-off of suspected smuggling activities within our own Area of Operations.

    “The intelligence indicated that a boat was sighted offloading products suspected to be cannabis sativa at Gbethrome Beach close to Ashipa community.

    “Consequently, the Base Quick Response Team, led by myself and Base Intelligence Officer, Lt. E. U. Okorie, proceeded to the scene of the crime for investigation and possible arrest.

    “The team conducted a cordon and search operation in the area,” he said.

    Umoru said after searching, a total of 50 sacks of the suspected products which valued at about N70m were recovered.

    “The adjoining communities were also searched but no other products or suspects were found.

    “Investigations are ongoing in conjunction with other security agencies to identify the drug trafficking syndicate and in due course, arrest and prosecute same,” he said.

    50 sacks of suspected cannabis sativa valued at N70m seized by the Forward Operating Base (FOB) of Nigerian Navy

    He recalled that since the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla assumed office, he had stated that his mission was to maintain and equip a professionally competent naval force capable of defending Nigeria’s maritime area of interest in fulfilment of national security imperative.

    “Similarly, the Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Mustapha Hussan, on Nov. 9, launched Operation Water Guard.

    “This operation is aimed at denying smuggling and other criminal elements the freedom of action within Badagry General Area, to ensure security and economic stability in the area,” he said.

    Receiving the exhibit, Mr Owen Dinneys, the Commander of the Narcotics, Area Commander, Seme Special Command of NDLEA, promised that investigation would commence on the seized items.

    He commended Nigerian Navy for the huge seizures, assuring them that the perpetrators would not go unpunished.

    “We will ensure that whoever that is involved in the illegal drugs smuggling into the country is apprehended and justice will be done,” he said.

  • NDLEA recovers 63,767.3kg Indian hemp, 82,320 pills of other illicit drugs in 8 states

    NDLEA recovers 63,767.3kg Indian hemp, 82,320 pills of other illicit drugs in 8 states

    Its spokesman, Mr Femi Babafemi stated this on Sunday in Abuja and added that five persons, including a wanted drug kingpin, Christopher Onyebuchi (40) were arrested on Nov. 15 at Idoani in Ondo State.

    He stated that 1,945kg of Indian hemp was recovered from the suspects.

    “NDLEA had arrested Onyebuchi on March 25, 2022 with 89kg of Indian hemp, but he jumped bail after he was arraigned at the Federal High Court, Akure,’’ Babafemi stated.

    Also on Sunday, Nov. 12, NDLEA operatives raided Upemen Village in Owo, also in Ondo State where they recovered 1,834kg of Indian hemp, just as 273kg of the weed was seized on Nov. 11 at Ipesi-Akoko.

    Babafemi also stated that NDLEA officers in Sokoto State recovered 290kg of Indian hemp from a lady, Fatima Salmanu (20) at Gangaren Tashar, Illela, in Sokoto North Local Government Area on Thursday, Nov. 16.

    Other NDLEA operatives evacuated 808kg of Indian hemp from a forest at Igueben in Edo on Monday, Nov. 13.

    “Not less than 231kg of Indian hemp was recovered and five suspects arrested in a joint raid conducted by NDLEA operatives and soldiers in Kwande Local Government Area of Benue on Monday, Nov. 13.

    “In Ogun, NDLEA operatives arrested one Tony Jonah at Abule Iroko on Tuesday, Nov. 14 with 67 kg of Indian hemp.

    “In Lagos, one Chike Agu was arrested at Ago Palace Way, Isolo with 364.3kg of “Loud’’, a variant of Indian hemp.

    “In Imo, NDLEA operatives intercepted a truck driven by one Orji Ifeanyi (33) on Owerri-Onitsha Expressway on Monday Nov. 13.

    “A search of the truck led to the seizure of 82,320 pills of 225mg Tramadol, and Diazepam as well as 32.5 litres of codeine cough syrup and 100 pieces of Molly weighing 49.62gm.’’ Babafemi also stated.

     

  • Gov. Zulum assures NDLEA of enhanced partnership as Marwa rallies Borno stakeholders

    Gov. Zulum assures NDLEA of enhanced partnership as Marwa rallies Borno stakeholders

    Shehu of Borno, other traditional rulers, religious leaders, LG chairmen, Unimaid, NGOs, agree on grassroots advocacy, drug test to curb drug menace
    Borno state governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum has assured the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA of his commitment to bolstering the current partnership between his government and the anti-narcotics agency to achieve the goal of a drug free society across all 27 local council areas of the state.
    Prof. Zulum gave the assurance when he hosted the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) who was in Borno for a three-day war against drug abuse, WADA, advocacy visit to mobilise relevant stakeholders to take ownership of the fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking.
    While commending the governor for his remarkable achievements in office, Marwa briefed him on the purpose of his visit as part of his ongoing social advocacy sensitization efforts across the country to engage with stakeholders with a view to cascading WADA efforts at the national level down to the grassroots and communities.
    He said everything must be done to drastically reduce demand for illicit drugs and cut down access and availability of psychoactive substances because of the nexus between illicit drugs and the security challenges facing the state and the country as a whole.
    Governor Zulum in his response acknowledged Marwa’s inspiring leadership qualities everywhere he had served including Borno as the state’s former military governor and his commitment to the drug fight. He assured the NDLEA boss of the readiness of his government to strengthen and enlarge the existing collaboration in the interest of law and order as well as humanity.
    While on his advocacy visit to the palace of Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Ibn Umar Garba Elkanemi, the NDLEA chairman urged the respected monarch to continue his support for the fight against illicit drugs while calling for drug test for intending couples as part of conditions for the conduct of weddings.
    He said this will discourage a lot of young people from going into substance abuse. In his response, the Shehu assured Marwa that all the 59 district heads under his emirate and the Chief Imam of Borno, Alhaji Zanna Laisu Ibrahim Ahmad present at the meeting will go back to their domains to implement the idea including setting up of drug control committees in their communities.
    The same understanding was equally reached in another engagement with the Council of Ulamas led by the Chief Imam, Zanna Laisu Ibrahim Ahmad. The idea was equally endorsed by the Christian community in another meeting held with leaders of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, in Borno. Chairman of CAN in the state,
    Most Rev Dr. John Bogna Bakeni while commending Marwa’s integrity, hardwork and selfless service to humanity said “the Christian community in Borno is ever ready to partner with you and your agency on this course because government alone can’t fight the drug scourge.”
    Marwa and his delegation also made a stop over at the Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation Hadin Kai, where he encouraged the Theatre Commander, Major General Gold Chibuisi and his commanding officers to continue their support, patriotism and sacrifice for the nation.
    He called for more collaboration with NDLEA to cut off access to illicit drugs by insurgents as well as drug test and sensitization lectures for troops on the dangers of illicit substances to their wellbeing. Major Gen. Chibuisi in his response promised to make the drug fight part of the counter-insurgency efforts while increasing partnership with the anti-narcotics agency.
    In his meeting with chairmen of local government areas in the state, Marwa charged them on collaboration as the agency prepares to establish presence in all the local councils across the country in the coming year. The state Commissioner for Local Government and Emirate Affairs, Hon. Sugun Mai Mele and the LGA bosses assured of their preparedness while offering suggestions on how the synergy will work.
    Also speaking during an advocacy visit to the Vice Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri, Prof. Aliyu Shugaba and his management team, the NDLEA boss called for drug test for fresh and returning students to discourage those with disposition to abuse illicit substances.
    While asking that the school’s counselling unit be strengthened to be able to respond to early signs of drug abuse, Marwa also assured that “we’ll like to work with the university to fish out members of the university community selling illicit drugs.”
    In his response, Prof. Shugaba said “drug test is a great idea. We share and buy the idea and believe it will reduce drug abuse. The drug problem is of a serious concern in the university because most of those arrested for theft and other vices are found to be on drugs.
    As such, we will take your suggestions and implement them immediately.” He called for the setting up of an NDLEA Post on the campus and a Memorandum of Understanding between the university and the agency.
    A stakeholders meeting was later held at the Indimi Hall of the university where Marwa and his team had interactions with members of other security agencies, students, transport unions, women groups, Youth Corp members, civil society organisations and many others.
  • Demand drug-free certificate before marriage, Marwa urges traditional rulers NDLEA

    Demand drug-free certificate before marriage, Marwa urges traditional rulers NDLEA

    Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig-Gen Buba Marwa (rtd), has urged traditional rulers and parent to demand for drug-free certificate before contracting marriages.

    Marwa made the call on Monday during a courtesy call on the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Garbai El-Kanemi in Maiduguri.

    Marwa said that intending couple should also be asked for their HIV/AIDS result as well as results of other medical tests.

    He said that the measure has became imperative, considering the worsening menace of drug use in the country.

    “The need for wedding Fatihah to be accompanied with drug-free certificate is very important as both parents will have rest of mind.

    “Now you have so many cases after marriages, some men chasing their wives with knives in the house,”he said.

    He said that the measure has been adopted in other parts of the country, adding that it was important for all sections of the country to embrace the idea which would go a long way in safeguarding marriages as well as ensuring a drug-free society.

    He charged traditional and religious leaders to champion the campaign against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in their communities.

    The NDLEA chairman conferred the Shehu of Borno with the title of Royal Ambassador of War Against Drug Abuse in Nigeria.

    In his response, the Shehu acknowledged the tremendous efforts and commitment of the NDLEA to make Nigeria a drug-free country.

    El-Kanemi who lamented the destruction caused by insurgents under the influence of drugs in Borno, assured the NDLEA chairman of their support for the campaign against drug abuse and trafficking in the state.

     

  • Man who sells illicit drugs in wheelchair, ex- convict, others arrested in NDLEA raids

    Man who sells illicit drugs in wheelchair, ex- convict, others arrested in NDLEA raids

    Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have arrested a notorious drug dealer, 45-year-old Godwin Emuneyin who is physically challenged and uses his wheelchair as cover to deal in illicit substances such as methamphetamine and cannabis in Afuze, headquarters of Owan East local government area of Edo state.
    The suspect was arrested on Tuesday 7th November at his base in Afuze following credible intelligence. As at the time of his arrest, a wooden box used to conceal illicit substances including 18 pinches of methamphetamine, one block and 71 wraps of cannabis, was recovered from him.
    In other interdiction operations in Edo state, NDLEA operatives on Monday 6th November recovered 42 bags of cannabis weighing 480kgs from a camp in Aviosi forest in Owan West LGA, while the Utese forest in Ovia North East LGA was also raided same day with 231.5kgs of the substance recovered and a cannabis farm measuring 0.778960 hectare destroyed.
    In Adamawa state, operatives on patrol along Ngurore-Yola road on Thursday 9th November
    intercepted a Toyota Corolla car marked TZG 97 KY loaded with 30, 899 Tramadol 225mg and 100mg pills concealed inside the body compartments of the car. The driver found in possession of the drug exhibits, Sani Samaila (a.k.a Isa Male),25, said he was bringing the consignment from Jalingo, Taraba State to deliver in Yola, Adamawa State.
    The previous day, Wednesday 8th November, a suspect, Abdullahi Sani (a.k.a Danfulani) was arrested at Ngurore town in possession of some quantity of dried weeds suspected to be cannabis sativa in a white nylon. He thereafter led operatives on a follow up operation to the home of a drug lord, Alhaji Bubakari (a.k.a Dan Mamuda), an unrepentant ex-convict, where 19 blocks of compressed cannabis that weighed 13kgs were recovered.
    In Ogun state, not less than 18.875 tons of cannabis sativa on 7.55 hectares farmland were destroyed and another 100 jumbo bags weighing 1,100 kilograms of the psychoactive substance recovered at James town, Ogunmakin area of Obafemi Owode LGA on Monday 6th November, by a combined team of NDLEA operatives with officers and men of the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, Federal Road Safety Corps, Defence Intelligence
    Agency and the State Security Network, Amotekun. Okpor Chukwuma and six other male suspects found on the farmland were arrested.
    While a commercial bus driver, Olayinka Sowo, 25, was arrested on Friday 10th November along Ibadan – Akure expressway over alleged conspiracy to transport 45.150kgs cannabis from Lagos to Osun state, NDLEA officers in
    Abuja on same day intercepted 7, 980 pills of diazepam and 567 bottles of codeine syrup  in a commercial bus along Abaji-Abuja highway after which a follow up operation at Zuba motor park led to the arrest of the owner of the consignment, Ugwu Ikenna, 30.
    In Delta state, NDLEA operatives backed by men of the Nigerian Army stormed a remote forest in Umuchime community, Ndokwa West LGA where they destroyed 12.5 tons of cannabis on five hectares of farmland, and recovered 53.22kgs processed weeds and seeds of the substance. A suspect, Christopher Anim (alias Ogidi) was also arrested in the course of the operation. Two suspects: Amarachukwu Eugene, 32, and Abdulaziz Auwal, 25, were arrested in another operation by operatives in Kano with 202 blocks of cannabis weighing 113.1kgs on Tuesday 7th November.
    In the same vein, Commands across the country intensified their War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, advocacy lectures. These include: Sensitisation lecture for students of Government Commercial Secondary School, Wudil, Kano state; WADA advocacy visit to Zamfara state governor, Dr. Dauda Lawal in Gusau; WADA sensitisation lecture for students of George Burton Memorial School, Ilesa, Osun state and similar lecture delivered at Kenneth Dike Secondary School, Awka, Anambra state, among others.
    While commending the officers and men of the Edo, Ogun, Osun, Adamawa, Delta, and FCT Commands of the Agency for their balanced efforts in the past week, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) equally applauded their counterparts across the country for intensifying their WADA advocacy lectures thus creating parity between their drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction activities.
  • 14.4 million pills of opioids seized in Lagos raids as trafficker excretes 86 wraps of heroin

    14.4 million pills of opioids seized in Lagos raids as trafficker excretes 86 wraps of heroin

    No less than Fourteen Million, Four Hundred and Eighty One Thousand, Five Hundred and Nineteen (14, 481, 519) pills of Tramadol and bottles of codeine syrup worth over Thirteen Billion Naira (N13,000,000,000) in street value have been recovered by operatives of the National Drug Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, in three major busts of drug cartels operating in Amuwo Odofin, Idumota and the SAHCO shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja Lagos.
    The three intelligence-led operations began with the raid of House 8/10 Hon. Wahuha Avenue, Divine Estate, Ago Palace area of Amuwo Odofin on Sunday 29th October, where 490,000 pills of tramadol and 81,519 bottles of codeine syrup measuring 4, 510, 000mls were recovered.
    In a similar operation on Tuesday 31st October, NDLEA operatives swooped on a secret warehouse operated by a billionaire Idumota trader, Nwaoha Anayo located at Onitire, Aguda area of Surulere where Twelve Million Seven Hundred Thousand (12, 700, 000) pills of tramadol were recovered.
    In the same vein, at least six members of a syndicate using their official cover to facilitate the smuggling of illicit drugs through the Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO) warehouse at the Lagos airport into the country have been arrested and One Million Two Hundred and Ten Thousand (1, 210, 000) pills of tramadol seized from them in a painstaking operation that lasted for weeks. The six suspects already in NDLEA custody include: Oladele Sanya-Olu; Lawal Itunu Temitope; Sanamo Alla Daniel; Udeh Felix Monday; Musa Mutalib and Unege Evans Icibor, while three other suspects: Sarki Mubarak Salami; Abdullahi Aliyu (aka Aboki); and Monday Anwal, are now on the run and wanted by NDLEA.
    At the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, NAIA, Abuja, NDLEA operatives on Sunday 29th October intercepted yet another businessman, 50-year-old Nwokolo Ifeanyi Anthony
    during the outward clearance of Air France flight AF 878 to Amsterdam, Netherlands via Paris, France at the boarding gate and was body scanned. The result turned out to be positive for illicit drug ingestion.
    The suspect who travelled from Lagos to board the flight was subsequently kept under observation for some days during which he excreted a total of 86 pellets of heroin weighing 1.330kilograms.
    Similarly, NDLEA operatives of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation, DOGI, attached to courier firms on Monday 30th October intercepted 22 parcels of cocaine concealed in the walls of a carton containing sewn local fabrics popularly called Aso Oke, heading to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
    Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives have arrested three blind men operating an illicit drug ring between Lagos and Kano, while another blind member of the syndicate is still at large. The lid was blown off the group following the arrest of a blind suspect, Adamu Hassan, 40, along Gwagwalada expressway Abuja with 12kgs of skunk on his way from Lagos to Kano on Saturday 28th October. Investigations however established that he was totally oblivious of the content of the bag handed to him to deliver in Kano.
    Follow up operations then led to the arrest of the arrowhead of the syndicate, Bello Abubakar, 45, who is also blind. In his statement, Bello who is married with five children said he has been living in Lagos for 30 years but started the illicit drug business five years ago.
    Another suspect, Muktar Abubakar, 59, who is equally blind has been living in Lagos for 40 years and married to three wives with 14 children. Both Muktar Abubakar and Bello Abubakar are joint owners of the business, while the third suspect, Akilu Amadu, 25, also blind equally contributes money to the criminal trade and was indeed the one who delivered the consignment to Adamu at the motor park in Lagos to deliver in Kano. Another blind suspect who is the expected receiver of the consignment in Kano, Mallam Aminu is currently at large.
    While operatives in Osun on Saturday 4th November stormed the Obada sawmill forest in Owena-Ijesa, Oriade LGA where they arrested a suspect, Monday Sylvester, 37, on a 6.01 hectares of cannabis farm which was destroyed and 489.8kgs already processed plant recovered, their colleagues in Edo raided a trans-loading point inside Avbiosi forest, Owan West LGA where 603 kilograms of the illicit substance were seized.
    Also, NDLEA officers in Ogun state on Friday 3rd November recovered a Toyota Sienna bus from a ditch, at Ajebo Area, along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway. A search of the vehicle led to the seizure of 460kgs of the same substance, while a total of 116.5kgs of cannabis sativa belonging to a suspect at large were seized at Olagunju, Mushin area of Lagos.
    The Commands and formations of the Agency continued their war against drug abuse, WADA, advocacy lectures across the country. Some of the sensitization lectures in the past week were organized by: Zone N command of NDLEA in collaboration with the Akwa Ibom state command for principals of secondary schools in the state;
    Kano state command at Government Science and Technical College, Wudil;  Gombe state command for  students of Haruna Rasheed College of Health Sciences, Dukku; Anambra state command for students of Community Secondary School, Ezi-Awka;  Zone I command in collaboration with Osun command of the Agency and the State
    Ministry of Education for over 320 secondary school principals in the state; Oyo State command at Anglican Grammar School, Starlight, Ogbomoso with 2,032 students in attendance and Ogun state command for students and staff of Gateway Junior Secondary School, Abeokuta.
    While commending the officers and men of the NAIA, MMIA, Lagos, Osun, Edo and FCT Commands as well as those of DOGI for the arrests and seizures of the past week, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) charged them and their compatriots across the country to remain focused as the Agency expands its operations against drug cartels.
  • Oborevwori raises alarm over hard drug abuse

    Oborevwori raises alarm over hard drug abuse

    Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, Thursday, raised the alarm on the growing incidence of hard drug abuse in the country, saying it had become a global public health that needed to be tackled head on and called on all stakeholders to work towards its prompt effective eradication.

    Oborevwori stated this when the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA) Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd) and his delegation visited him at Government House, Asaba.

    He commended the NDLEA and other stakeholders for the fight against hard drug abuse but urged that the momentum must be sustained if the nation was to win the war against the growing illicit hard drugs business.

    He assured the NDLEA of the State Government’s unwavering commitment and support to the fight against substance abuse and illicit drugs business.

    The Governor, said: “I am very touched that you took time to come to Delta State over the incident that happened and also used the opportunity to meet your people here.

    “I celebrate your sacrifice, commitment and dedication to duty. You have demonstrated that you are a caring and passionate leader; the kind of leader we need in Nigeria.

    “It is not a strange thing to us because we know you and we know your antecedents during your time as a Military Administrator of Lagos State.

    “Delta State is happy to receive you and we know that under your leadership, the NDLEA has recorded outstanding successes; bursting drug cartels in the country. I commend you and your personnel of the NDLEA for your resolve to rid the nation of illicit drugs, no matter who is involved.

    “The momentum must be sustained if we are to win the war against drug abuse. Drug abuse is both a global health and social problem. In Nigeria, it has become a public health menace.

    “It needs urgent and proactive actions to be able to handle the trend and I assure you of our unwavering support and partnership in this fight.”

    He, however, said that, despite the rise in drug abuse, a lot was being done on advocacy and rehabilitation at the designated centers, adding that, in support of the goals of the NDLEA, he had appointed a capable hand as Senior Special Assistant on Illlicit Drugs.

    He said the unfortunate incident of July in which an innocent child died and another injured in the course of an NDLEA operation in the state would not stop the state government from supporting the fight against drug trafficking and substance abuse.

    “The incident that happened in July, will not stop the state from going after those into illegal hard drugs. Immediately the incident happened, the people who started fuelling the attack on the NDLEA personnel, are those into drugs.

    “NDLEA did not just go to that scene to raid; there was an information which was very reliable. We went to the Federal Medical Centre to commiserate with the family and took care of the medical bills.

    “We commend the NDLEA for sending a team for an investigation to ascertain what actually happened. I also instructed the Secretary to State Government to give a letter to the family to get American Visa for the treatment of the child abroad.

    “On the issue of partnership, we are already partnering. What you are doing in the NDLEA is commendable and Nigerians are happy”, he said.

    Earlier, Marwa had appreciated Governor Oborevwori for his commitment and support to the agency and commended him for his work in the state and wished him more successes in the future.

    He said he was in Delta to condole with the Fidelis family on the death of the two-year-old Eromonsele who accidentally lost his life during an operation in Asaba and to also speak with stakeholders playing important roles in the fight against drug trafficking in the country.

    He said the agency was working towards processing and fast tracking travel arrangements to sponsor the surviving brother’s eye treatment in America.

    He said winning the war against drug trafficking was imperative because of its negative impact in the society, if left to fester

    He said hard drug scourge in Nigeria had become very high with over 15m drug users within the age bracket of 15 and 64 years, according to the relevant agency of the United Nations survey and called for the support and cooperation of the state government in the fight against the scourge.

    Marwa traced the rampant kidnapping, terrorism, banditry,insurgency, rape, murder and other vices across the country to hard drug abuse by perpetrators.

    He said drug abuse prevalence rate in Delta State among those of 15 and 64 years was 18 percent, with over half a million of the population involved.

    Marwa said the agency, in two years, had destroyed nearly over 1,000 hectares of land devoted to the cultivation of illicit drugs, seized over 6,000 tonnes and arrested over 36,000 suspects and persons of interest, while over 6,000 were convicted and jailed.

    The highpoint of the visit was the decoration of Governor Oborevwori as Ambassador in the fight against drug and substance abuse.

  • Hong Kong, France-bound businessmen arrested at Abuja airport for ingesting cocaine, heroin

    Hong Kong, France-bound businessmen arrested at Abuja airport for ingesting cocaine, heroin

    Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have arrested two businessmen at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, NAIA, Abuja, with consignments of cocaine and heroin going to Hong Kong and France concealed in their bellies.
    While 38-year-old ThankGod Chimamkpa Emenike was arrested at the boarding gate of the Abuja airport on Friday 20th October during the outward clearance of passengers on Air France flight 818 to Paris, another passenger, 41-year-old Agbo Chidike Prince was taken into NDLEA custody on Saturday 21st October while attempting to board an Ethiopian Airlines flight ET 950 to Hong Kong via Addis Ababa.
    They were both arrested and detained after their body scan revealed they ingested illicit drugs. After days in custody and a number of excretions, Emenike excreted 72 wraps of heroin weighing 1.171 kilograms, while Chidike discharged 49 pellets of cocaine with a total weight of 998.53grams. In his statement, Chidike claimed he is a businessman dealing in spare parts at the Alaba International market in Ojo area of Lagos.
    He added that he was to be paid N3.5million which he intended to use to import goods from Hong Kong.
    In the same vein, NDLEA operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja Lagos on Wednesday 25th October intercepted a Qatar Airways flight passenger going to Oman, Agbo Celestine Tochukwu with a consignment of 58 parcels of skunk weighing 29.10kgs while undergoing processes to board his flight at the terminal 11 of the airport. In his statement, Tochukwu claimed he relocated to Oman on 6th May and has been working as hotel attendant in Oman before venturing into drug trafficking.
    Meanwhile, a total of 2,197 kilograms of skunk were recovered in four interdiction operations in parts of Ondo state within four days. While 1,165.5kgs were seized in Uso, Owo LGA on Wednesday 25th October, a consignment of 691kgs were recovered from Ukugu forest in Ipele the previous day, Tuesday 24th October. A suspect, Ifeanyi Abuguja, 32, was arrested with 87kgs of same substance on Monday 23rd October at Agula Road, Ogbese, Akure North LGA, while 253.5kgs were recovered at Ogbese market in Akure North LGA on Thursday 26th October.
    In Oyo state, two suspects: Ayo Dele, 19, and Olaitan Ahmed, 23, were arrested with 160 grams of cannabis at a drug joint at Nalende area of Ibadan metropolis on Sunday 22nd October while a follow up operation at their warehouse in the same area led to the recovery of 332kgs of the same substance.
    While operatives of the Lagos Command of the Agency intercepted and recovered a vehicle loaded with 209kgs of Loud at Okun Ajah area of the state on Monday 23rd October, their counterparts in Gombe on Saturday 28th October recovered an abandoned consignment of 401 blocks of cannabis sativa weighing 392kgs and 21,000 capsules of tramadol at Tumfure area of the state.
    In the early hours of today, Sunday 29th October, NDLEA operatives in Edo state stormed the Utese forest in Ovia North East LGA, where they evacuated a total of 2, 931.3 kilograms of cannabis sativa from a warehouse in the forest.
    The War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, advocacy campaign of the Agency continued in equal measure in schools, markets, worship places and others across the country in the past week.
    Some of them include: WADA town hall sensitization lecture by Zone E command in collaboration with Kano and Jigawa commands of the Agency for 108 principals of secondary schools in Dutse Emirate; same lecture for students and teachers of Nkpoghoro community secondary school, Afikpo, Ebonyi state; students and teachers of Government Secondary School and Community Comprehensive School, both in Abua/Odual LGA, Rivers state as well as WADA sensitisation lecture at Durbar Grammar School, Durbar, Oyo state.
    While commending the officers and men of the NAIA, MMIA, Ondo, Oyo, Lagos, Edo and Gombe Commands for the arrests and seizures of the past week, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) urged them and their compatriots across all formations of the Agency to maintain the offensive action tempo and strive to surpass previous records while maintaining a balance with their drug demand reduction efforts.
  • Paris-bound ‘businessman’ excretes 93 wraps of heroin in Abuja

    Paris-bound ‘businessman’ excretes 93 wraps of heroin in Abuja

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 40-year-old Madrid, Spain-based ‘businessman’, Sherif Egbo at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, (NAIA), Abuja for drug trafficking.

    This is contained in a statement by the Director, Media and Advocacy, Mr Femi Babafemi on Sunday in Abuja.

    Babafemi said that the suspect was arrested while attempting to board an Air France flight to Paris, France, after they discovered he ingested illicit drugs.

    He said that the suspect was arrested on Saturday Oct. 14 after body scanner revealed he had wraps of illicit drugs in his stomach.

    Babafemi added that the suspect was subsequently placed under observation at the agency’s exhibit recovery room where he excreted 93 pellets of heroin weighing 2.222 kilograms.

    “In his statement, the suspect claimed he works at a chicken hatchery farm in Madrid, Spain and also into drug trafficking business, ” he said.

    In the same vein, NDLEA operatives at the Nigeria Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) imports shed of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, (MMIA) Ikeja Lagos have made other seizures.

    Babafemi said that the operatives seized a consignment of 10 cartons containing 500,000 pills of tramadol 225mg branded as tapentadol on Monday.

    He said that the cargo, which was shipped from India through Qatar Airways with airwaybill number MAWB 319-01227236 was purported to be a transit cargo to Monrovia, Liberia.

    “However, the lid was blown open through partnership and real time intelligence sharing mechanisms between NDLEA and its Liberian counterpart, ” he said.

    Also, attempt by an intending passenger to Muscat, Oman on Qatar Airways, Ngene Chinecherem, to export 11.100kgs of skunk and 600grams of tramadol had been frustrated by the NDLEA operatives.

    Babafemi said that the drugs were concealed in foodstuffs and were to be exported through the Lagos airport, adding that the suspect was arrested and the illicit substances were seized.

  • NDLEA intercepts Europe-bound cocaine, meth at Lagos Airport

    NDLEA intercepts Europe-bound cocaine, meth at Lagos Airport

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says its operatives attached to courier companies in Lagos State have intercepted consignments of cocaine and methamphetamine.

    The Director, Media and Advocacy, Mr Femi Babafemi in a statement on Sunday in Abuja, said the consignments were been transported to Europe and Saudi Arabia.

    Babafemi explained that the NDLEA officers of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigations(DOGI) attached to courier companies intercepted the consignment at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

    He said that the operatives intercepted 1kg methamphetamine concealed in containers of body cream going to New Zealand on Sunday, Oct. 15.

    He added that the officers also intercepted another consignment of 2.5kgs Cocaine and phenacetin hidden in walls of a carton heading to Saudi Arabia.

    “Two more seizures: 112grams of Dimethyl Sulfone and 583grams of Cocaine and phenacetin were made at another courier company in Lagos on Wednesday, Oct. 18.

    “While the Dimethyl Sulfone was concealed in the hollow of a motor driving shaft going to New Zealand, the consignment of Cocaine and phenacetin was packed into a bottle of body cream heading to Saudi Arabia,” he said.

    Meanwhile, Commands across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory equally continued their War Against Drug Abuse(WADA) with sensitisation lectures in schools, communities, work places and others.

    Babafemi said this include WADA sensitisation lecture for students of Ogborhill Secondary School, Aba, Abia and Nana Aisha Memorial Islamiyya Secondary School, Buba-Shongo, Gombe State.

    “WADA sensitisation lecture at Awe High School, Awe, same at Smiles and Surprises Academy, Onna, Akwa Ibom; WADA sensitisation lecture for students of Sango High School, Ijoko, Ogun state.

    “While Zone C Command of NDLEA along with Kwara state command also had WADA sensitisation town hall meeting with principals of secondary schools from five local government areas of the state,” he said.