NDLEA Intensifies Efforts In The War Against Drug Abuse
NDLEA Intensifies Efforts In The War Against Drug Abuse
••• Intercepts illicit drugs in Lagos, Kano, Edo, Ogun and others, including another interception of cocaine concealed in a businessman’s stomach.
By Asuquo Nuwak
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intensified its efforts in the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA), making significant seizures and arrests across various states in the recent week
As the agency continues to combat the menace of drug abuse, it is reported to have made large scale Interception of illicit drugs in Lagos, Kano, Edo and Ogun states.
For instance, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos, NDLEA operatives arrested Ezeokoli Sylva, a 59-year-old businessman who had spent 35 years in Brazil. Ezeokoli was intercepted on Friday, November 29, 2024, upon his arrival from São Paulo via an Ethiopian Airlines flight.
Upon scanning his body, it was discovered that a foreign objects was concealed in his stomach, leading to his placement under excretion observation. Expectedly the suspect expelled 29 wraps of cocaine weighing 700 grams.
Ezeokoli, who operates an African store in Brazil selling provisions, shoes, and clothes, admitted to purchasing the drugs in São Paulo to resell in Nigeria. He is quoted as saying that: “I intended to use the profits to boost my business”.
Aside from this, in Lagos, it is reported that NDLEA’s Directorate of Investigation and General Investigation (DOGI) uncovered two drug consignments destined for the United Kingdom via a courier company on November 26, 2024.
In addition to this, the agency is said to have discovered 200 grams of cocaine hidden in local fabrics and 40 ampoules of pentazocine injection weighing 110 grams concealed in cartons.
In the same vein, in Kano State, NDLEA operatives arrested three suspects, including Jamilu Adamu (38), Umar Musa (32), and Bunu Ali (27) at Gadar Tamburawa, Zaria Road, on November 28, 2024. The arrests led to the seizure of 3,135,000 Exol-5 pills and 2,000 ampoules of pentazocine injection.
In Lagos, operatives intercepted 2,120 kilograms of Ghanaian Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, on November 28, 2024, at the Ilesan Beach. A suspect, Onibogi Muftau, was arrested, and four vehicles intended to transport the drugs from the waterfront were recovered.
According to intelligence gathering this operation followed the seizure of 472kg of cannabis at Idi-Iroko, Imeko, Ogun State, on November 25, 2024.
In another development in Edo state, NDLEA officers who conducted an intelligence-led operation on Ukuwague Street, Benin City, on November 28, 2024, arrested two suspects, Monday Onyenemue (60) and Evans Omogiede (42), while recovering 185.6kg of cannabis and a Toyota Previa bus marked BEN 06XL used to transport the consignment.
As these enforcement operations continue, NDLEA remains committed to reduce demand on drug through sensitization campaigns. Above all, the War Against Drug Abuse initiative have made positive impacts in delivering lectures to schools, worship centers, workplaces, and communities nationwide, including
Government Girls Secondary School, Kofar Wambai, Kano;
Government Day Secondary School, Njoboli-Fulani, Yola, Adamawa State:
Girls High School, Mgbowo, Enugu State; God’s Time College, Ikole Ekiti, Ekiti State and 8 Miles Market, Calabar, Cross River State.
Brigadier-General Mohammed Buba Marwa (Rtd), NDLEA Chairman/CEO, who commended the agency’s efforts, also said the operational successes and balanced approach to drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction by their officers and formations across the country are well appreciated”.
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