The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted more than 1.3 million tablets and capsules of tramadol and other opioids, alongside about 6,000 kilogrammes of cannabis, in nationwide operations that yielded illicit drugs with an estimated street value of over N3.4 billion.
The seizures were recorded between September 15 and 18 across Lagos, Edo, Delta, Niger, Ondo, Gombe, Imo states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), according to an NDLEA statement issued on Sunday by its spokesman, Femi Babafemi.
The operations also led to the arrest of a man accused of impersonating a senior police officer to facilitate the movement of narcotics across state borders, as well as three young suspects found with locally fabricated firearms and ammunition in Niger State.
One of the major arrests occurred along the Benin-Onitsha Expressway in Asaba, Delta State, where NDLEA operatives apprehended 49-year-old Innocent Ekpe with 292.48kg of skunk concealed in a silver Toyota Sienna bus.
The agency said preliminary investigation indicated that Ekpe allegedly posed as Godwin Emeka, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, and used a forged police identification card to evade security checks while transporting illicit drugs.
A second suspect, 39-year-old Nduka Joseph, was also arrested in connection with the operation.
At the Tin-Can Island Port in Lagos, NDLEA operatives intercepted 1,200 parcels of Canadian Loud weighing 603.75kg and valued at an estimated N1.811 billion.
Babafemi said the 40-foot container, which originated from Montreal, Canada, arrived on September 12 and was placed under surveillance following intelligence received by the agency.
A joint examination involving the NDLEA, Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies on September 16 reportedly uncovered the cannabis concealed in 31 black jumbo bags loaded inside two Toyota Sienna vehicles.
In Edo State, NDLEA operatives acting on intelligence raided an auto-repair workshop along Agbor Road, Benin City, where they arrested 45-year-old Matthew Ossai.
The agency alleged that the mechanic was using the workshop as a cover for storing illicit drugs. Recovered from the premises were 48kg of Canadian Loud, 152 grammes of methamphetamine and a metal box allegedly used to store the substances.
Another major interception occurred along the Abaji-Abuja Highway, where operatives arrested Aminu Isyaku, 23, and Jamilu Habibu, 25, allegedly transporting more than 1.1 million assorted tramadol tablets and capsules.
The consignment, reportedly concealed in eight sacks travelling from Onitsha, Anambra State, to Mararaba, Nasarawa State, also contained codeine syrup, methamphetamine and Exol tablets.
In Lagos, Onyeka Ofor was arrested at his residence in Aguda, Surulere, with 48,900 tablets of tramadol 225mg, while NDLEA operatives intercepted seven cartons containing 59kg of cannabis sativa at a logistics company, leading to the arrest of Luke Ugokwe.
At Apongbo, operatives also arrested 43-year-old Ibrahim Hudu with 998.38kg of nitrous oxide gas.
The nationwide operation extended to Niger State, where three suspects — Bashir Usman, 20; Abubakar Nuhu, 18; and Abdulrahman Abdulwahab, 18 — were arrested on September 15 along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway in Chachi, Tafa Local Government Area.
The NDLEA said two locally fabricated AK-47 rifles, a magazine, a locally made pistol, another magazine and nine rounds of 9mm ammunition were recovered from the suspects.
In Gombe State, 154,480 tramadol capsules were recovered from two suspects, 27-year-old Sabi’u Umar and 19-year-old Hassana Muhammad, arrested separately around Barunde and Gombe Main Market.
Imo State recorded another cannabis seizure, with 25-year-old Ifesinachi Godwin arrested along the Owerri-Onitsha Road with 43.85kg of skunk.
In Ondo State, NDLEA operatives raided a two-hectare cannabis farm in the Ita-Ogbolu forest on September 15. Four suspects — Blessing Effiong, Saviour Peter, David Friday Sunday and Ability Peter Sunday — were arrested during the operation.
The agency said about 5,000kg of cannabis was destroyed at the farm, while an additional quantity of dry and fresh cannabis was recovered and preserved as evidence for prosecution.
Beyond drug interdiction, the NDLEA said its commands sustained the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign during the week, taking preventive messages to schools, worship centres, workplaces and communities.
Commending personnel of the Lagos, Tin-Can, Edo, Niger, Delta, Ondo, Gombe, Imo and FCT Commands, NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd.), urged officers and men to sustain the agency’s approach combining enforcement with drug-prevention initiatives.
