Rita Odafe
Major Drug Bust in Abuja
The NDLEA has reported the successful interception of a massive drug shipment in Abuja. Operatives seized a trailer carrying over 2,200 kilograms of skunk, an intense form of cannabis.
The agencies’ interception occurred when the drugs were being transferred into six vehicles at an abandoned fuel station in the Kagini area of the Federal Capital Territory, where they were set for distribution to northern states.
Femi Babafemi, the NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, shared these details in a statement released on Sunday.
In an operation executed on Saturday, January 11, 2025, the NDLEA confiscated not just the drugs but also the trailer along with six vehicles, which included a Toyota Van, Toyota Camry, Toyota Sienna, a JAC 4WD Hilux, a Toyota Corolla, and a Vento Passat.
The NDLEA also apprehended a suspect named Isaac Monday Desmond, 42, as the trailer was being loaded in Uzebba, Edo State, at the time of his arrest.
In a separate operation within the Federal Capital Territory, two men, Anthony Nnamdi (42) and Abba Ali (27), were arrested in Nyanya with 1.398 kg of cocaine and materials used in crack cocaine preparation.
“In Lagos, NDLEA officers intercepted a shipment bound for Australia, uncovering 20 wraps of cocaine, weighing a total of 330 grams, cleverly hidden inside face cream containers.”
“Additionally, 338,200 bottles of codeine syrup, valued at over 1.19 billion Naira, were seized in two containers under surveillance by NDLEA, Customs, and other agencies during inspections conducted on January 9 and 10, 2025, at the Port Harcourt Ports Complex.”
“In one recent major operation, NDLEA operatives apprehended Bariu Aliu (aka Malo), the traditional chief priest at the Igunuko shrine in Lekki, Lagos. This arrest followed a three-month manhunt after 2,760 kg of skunk was recovered there last October. His associates had previously been captured and convicted.”
“During a raid in Kano on January 9, officers detained Habibu Ya’u (23), recovering 45 blocks of cannabis weighing 24.2 kg and over 40,800 opioid pills, including tramadol.”
Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), the Chairman/CEO of NDLEA, praised the efforts of his teams across various commands for their diligence in these operations, emphasizing the importance of their initiatives in combating drug trafficking.
Marwa acknowledged the agency’s successful strategies in reducing drug supply and demand across the country.
