The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has revealed that over 7.6 million tramadol pills and 76,273 kilograms of cannabis strains were intercepted in a series of coordinated, intelligence-driven raids carried out across multiple states between December 1 and 6, leading to the arrest of several suspects, according to a statement by its Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi.
In Delta State, operatives recovered 3,874,000 tramadol pills and 252.2 litres of codeine syrup from a warehouse at Oko market, Asaba. In Imo State, 1.2 million tramadol tablets were intercepted from a vehicle driven by 35-year-old Kelechi Nwakocha along the Onitsha-Owerri road.
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In Adamawa State, NDLEA operatives intercepted a Toyota Hiace bus en route from Jos to Mubi, where they uncovered 1,577,112 capsules of tramadol and Exol-5 tablets hidden inside jumbo bags packed with footwear. Two suspects, Kabiru Buba, 25, and Hamza Abubakar, 32, were taken into custody. In a separate operation in Kano, another suspect, 27-year-old Mudansir Rabiu, was arrested with 197,000 Exol-5 pills.
In Ekiti, NDLEA destroyed 14,654 kilograms of skunk in Omuo forest and 54,300 kilograms in warehouses at Asin-Ekiti, Ikole Local Government Area. Two suspects were arrested in connection with the operations. In Ondo, 5,442 kilograms of skunk were seized in Igoba forest, Akure North, with five suspects taken into custody.
Also, arrests were made in Niger State, where 500 kilograms of skunk were recovered from a van along Mokwa-Jebba road, and in Abuja, where 22 kilograms of synthetic cannabis known as Colorado were intercepted at Abaji expressway. A follow-up operation at Jabi park led to the arrest of a female receiver, Ali Blessing, 33. Another suspect, Aliyu Usman, 39, was arrested with 24 kilograms of skunk and 573,500 exol-5 pills along Kwali-Gwagwalada expressway.
In Lagos, 113 kilograms of Canadian Loud were recovered from Ezenwa Udoka at Ladipo market, while Izuchukwu Usulor was arrested with 351 kilograms of skunk in Onipanu. Susan Okoro was also arrested with 104.1 kilograms at Trade Fair complex, Ojo. In Edo, 447.5 kilograms of skunk were seized from two vehicles in Agho forest, Akoko Edo, and 315.8 kilograms were recovered from a warehouse in Isiefve community, Ohuwunde Local Government Area.
The Agency confirmed that sensitisation activities under its War Against Drug Abuse initiative continued during the week in schools, worship centres and communities across Kano, Benue and Rivers States.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended the officers involved.
He noted that the operational successes recorded across the country, particularly the Agency’s balanced efforts in both drug supply reduction and demand reduction, are commendable. The NDLEA added that investigations are ongoing and all suspects will be prosecuted accordingly.
