In a significant interception operation, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has uncovered an illicit drug consignment ingeniously concealed within the engine compartment of an interstate commercial bus. The operation led to the arrest of two senior citizens involved in drug trafficking.
According to a statement released on Sunday by Femi Babafemi, the Director of Media and Advocacy at NDLEA Headquarters in Abuja, the agency’s operatives discovered over 5.2kg of cannabis sativa and opioids hidden in the engine compartment of a bus with registration number VDY 187 XA. The interception took place on Thursday, March 7th, 2024, along the Gbongan – Ibadan Road in Osun state during a routine stop and search operation. The driver of the bus, identified as Iorliam Sughnen Dominic, 35, admitted to being responsible for the concealment and was subsequently taken into custody for further investigation.
In addition to the bus interception, NDLEA operatives busted two skuchies factories in Osun and Lagos respectively. On Wednesday, March 6th, a 26-year-old lady identified as Obasanmi Esther Iyanu, involved in the production and distribution of skuchies, was apprehended during a raid on her hideout in Osogbo, the capital of Osun state. The raid resulted in the seizure of approximately 16.5 litres of the illicit substance, along with various quantities of molly and cannabis.
Furthermore, NDLEA operatives in Borno state arrested two senior citizens, Mallam Mai Gemu Adam, 70, and Yamama Musa, 65, for their involvement in drug trafficking. The arrests, which occurred on Saturday, March 9th, also led to the apprehension of two other individuals, Abubakar Ya’u, 24, and Babagana Abubakar Ali, 28. A substantial quantity of tramadol injection, totaling 32,000 ampoules, was seized from them.
These operations were part of a broader crackdown on drug-related activities across various states in Nigeria. In Kano state, Nura Yusuf, 35, was arrested with 62kg of cannabis, while Abubakar Sani, 40, and Mohammad Alkali, 28, were apprehended with codeine syrup and tramadol pills respectively. Similar operations were carried out in Lagos, Plateau, Enugu, and other states, resulting in numerous arrests and significant drug seizures.
Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), commended the efforts of the agency’s commands across the country and urged them to sustain the momentum in both drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction activities. Additionally, the agency conducted War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy campaigns targeting schools, markets, worship centers, and communities to raise awareness about the dangers of drug abuse and trafficking. These initiatives are integral to the agency’s ongoing efforts to combat the drug menace in Nigeria.
