NDLEA Cracks Down on Drug Traffickers: Millions of Pills and Cannabis Seized across Nigeria
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has launched a successful nationwide crackdown on drug trafficking, seizing millions of pills and cannabis in multiple states over the past week. Spokesperson Femi Babafemi announced the impressive haul in a statement issued Sunday, January 21, 2024.
In Kano, the net closed on two major suspects: Nura Abdullahi, 38, and Tahir Muhammad Mukhtar, 42. Arrested in the Bacharawa area, they were found in possession of a staggering 5,404,000 tramadol 250mg pills on January 14. Not far off, 50-year-old Yusuf Umar was apprehended in Gadar Tamburawa on January 13, caught with 249,000 tablets of exol-5.
Lagos wasn’t spared the agency’s vigilance. Ali Abubakar and Murtala Sani were apprehended in Ojodu Berger on January 16, carrying 110kg of Indian hemp. The same day, NDLEA operatives uncovered an additional 69kg of the drug stashed in a hideout in Akerele, Surulere.
The operation extended to the Federal Capital Territory, where a raid on January 20 in Aleita yielded at least 2,800 bottles of codeine-based cough syrup. While the suspected owner, Jideofor Sochima, remains at large, the drugs are now out of circulation.
Further north, in Taraba state, Dan-Anacha village resident Ike Emmanuel, 35, found himself behind bars after surrendering 100,510 opioid pills to NDLEA officers on January 18. Abia state also saw significant progress, with officers nabbing 60-year-old Joseph Isiguzoro, Emmanuel Eugene, and Malachi Ndu in separate locations. Their combined haul amounted to 34,200 opioid pills, and Isiguzoro was additionally found with over N2.8 million in cash, likely proceeds from his illicit activities.
The NDLEA Chairman, retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, commended the officers and men involved in these operations, praising their vigilance and dedication. He urged them to maintain their “flame of collaboration” with other law enforcement agencies and stakeholders throughout the country, emphasizing the importance of a united front against drug trafficking.
This nationwide sweep sends a powerful message to those involved in the drug trade: the NDLEA is actively working to dismantle their operations and protect Nigerian communities from the harmful effects of illicit substances. The combined seizures of millions of pills and cannabis represent a significant blow to these groups, and Marwa’s call for continued collaboration promises further success in the fight against drug trafficking.
