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Over N5 billion drugs seized by NDLEA, NCS at Lagos Airport, Abuja, Edo

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Over N5 billion drugs seized by NDLEA, NCS at Lagos Airport, Abuja, Edo

Over N5 billion drugs seized by NDLEA, NCS at Lagos Airport, Abuja, Edo

By: Michael Mike

Over N5 billion worth of pharmaceutical opioids (drugs) have been seized in the last one week by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja and Edo State.

According to a press statement on Sunday by the spokesman of the NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, the total seizures in the three places in quantity amounted to about  9.5 million tablets of pharmaceutical opioids: Tramadol and Exol 5.

He said of the the figure were 214 cartons of Tramadol 225 under 10 different brand names, which translate to 9,219,400 tablets weighing 6,384.5 kilogrammes with an estimated street value of N4,609,700,000 were transferred on Tuesday 29th March alongside 85 cartons of dried Khat leaves with a total weight of 1,327.35 kilogrammes  by the Nigerian Customs to the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) Command of NDLEA, which is as a symbol of the synergy between the two law enforcement agencies.

He said in Abuja, about 228,740 tablets and capsules of Tramadol and Exol 5 were intercepted last Friday at Abaji area of the FCT, disclosing that the truck conveying the drugs was loaded in Lagos and heading to Kano. 

He said though the truck driver escaped into the bush during the search of the vehicle, two of his assistants; Usman Abdulmumini, 23 and Aminu Ahmad, 22, were arrested.

Babafemi said at the Port Harcourt International Airport, PHIA, a Brazilian returnee Nnanna Michael, 39, was arrested during the inward screening of passengers on board Qatar Airline flight QR1433 from Doha to Port Harcourt last Tuesday.

According to him, Nnanna was arrested with 73 sachets weighing 8.15 kilogrammes of cocaine, which is the largest seizure of such at the airport, since it began international flight operations years ago.

He said during preliminary interrogation, Nnanna said he departed Sao Paulo, Brazil on Sunday midnight en route Qatar to Port Harcourt, and claimed an unidentified person in Sao Paulo gave him six bed sheets in which the drug was concealed to deliver to another unidentified person at Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa. 

He disclosed that the 73 cocaine sachets were hidden in 4×1 feet factory sewn colourful bed sheets, with five of the bed sheets containing 12 sachets each, while the sixth bed sheet contains 13 sachets.

He added that an immediate follow up operation led to the arrest of 50-year-old Monday Alaisu, who travelled from Lagos to pick the drug from Nnenna. He was arrested at the airport’s carpark where he was waiting to receive Nnenna with the latter’s photograph taken at the Brazilian airport and his international passport’s Data Page in his hand.

Also Read: Ramadan: Zulum shares N76 million cash, food to 15,327…

He said in Oyo state, 17.6 kilogrammes cannabis was transferred along with a suspect, Ramon Dauda, 40, to the state command of NDLEA by the Oyo/Osun Area Command of Nigerian Customs Service, just as narcotic officers on patrol along Lagos-Ibadan expressway last Thursday intercepted a consignment of 10 kilogrammes cannabis and 12.1 grammes  of amphetamine in a commercial bus.

He added that a follow up operation in Ilesa, Osun state led to the arrest of the owner of the drug exhibits, Mrs Remi Aluko, 44.

Over N5 billion drugs seized by NDLEA, NCS at Lagos Airport, Abuja, Edo

Babafemi also revealed that three drug joints were raided at Wire road, Benin City and Uromi town in Esan Central local government area of Edo State where 188 pinches of cocaine and heroin were recovered with five suspects arrested. 

He said in another raid in Okada town, a patent medicine dealer, Harrison Odion was arrested with 70 bottles of codeine based cough syrup; 9,638 Tramadol capsules; 16,843 tablets of Exol-5; 80 tablets of Diazepam and 62 ampules of Diazepam injection.

He also said operatives in the state destroyed seven clusters of dry season cannabis sativa farms in Okpuje Forest along the banks of River Ose totalling 3.1 hectares.

Babafemi also disclosed that at least seven drug dealers were arrested in raids in parts of Kano with 80 kilogrammes of codeine and pentazocine injections seized from them. Those picked in Rijiyar Zaki, Brigade, Yan-Kaba, Tudun Wada, Karfi, Ungogo and Nassarawa areas of the state include: Muhammad Adamu; Abba Sani; and Auwalu Muhammad, among others.

Meanwhile, the Chairman/Chief Executive of the anti-narcotic agency, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Retd) commended the working relationship between NDLEA and other security agencies in the country. He however charged officers and men of the MMIA, PHIA, FCT, Edo, Oyo and Kano Commands not to rest on their oars.

Over N5 billion drugs seized by NDLEA, NCS at Lagos Airport, Abuja, Edo

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Two Bandits Killed While Testing IEDs in Zamfara

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Two Bandits Killed While Testing IEDs in Zamfara

By: Our Reporter

Two suspected bandits were killed during an attempt to test Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) at a camp reportedly established by the notorious extremist leader, Bello Turji, in Zamfara State.

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred in Barikin Daji Village and Dan Bagudu Hills, both located in Talata Mafara Local Government Area.

The explosion is said to have resulted from an IED mishap during a high-risk testing exercise conducted by the bandits under the supervision of a key lieutenant of Turji, identified as Dogo Auta.

According to credible intelligence reports, the extremist group had recently received a consignment of weapons, ammunition, and IED-making materials transported via camels to the camp. The materials were reportedly intended to facilitate increased attacks in the area as directed by Turji.

The explosion caused panic among residents of nearby communities, including Garin Gwale Village, forcing many to flee their homes out of fear of further attacks.

Sources indicate that extremist groups in the northwest are increasingly adopting IEDs to target military bases, patrol teams, and civilian areas.

Zagazola warn that the abundance of explosives from illegal mining activities in the region could further exacerbate the situation, leading to heightened security threats.

Security forces have also been advised to remain vigilant and on high alert for potential attacks in the coming days.

Two Bandits Killed While Testing IEDs in Zamfara

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Operation Fansan Yamma: Troops Neutralize Terrorists, Capture Weapons in Zamfara

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Operation Fansan Yamma: Troops Neutralize Terrorists, Capture Weapons in Zamfara

By: Our Reporter

Troops of Forward Operating Base Anka under 1 Brigade in the Joint Task Force North West, Operation Fansan Yamma Theatre in collaboration with Zamfara State Community Protection Guard (ZSCPG) and local vigilantes conducted fighting patrol to Bambaran Village, Anka Local Government Area and had encounter with terrorists.

As a result 2 terrorists were neutralized while items recovered from the terrorists include a PKT machine gun, one AK-47 rifle, a magazine, and 3 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.

This successful operation underscores the collaborative efforts between the military and other security forces in the Operation Fansan Yamma Theatre of Operations towards ensuring safety within Zamfara State and the North West Zone at large.

Operation Fansan Yamma remains dedicated to eliminating threats to peace and stability in the North West, striving to protect the lives and property of residents as operations continue.

ABUBAKAR ABDULLAHI
Lieutenant Colonel
Coordinator Joint Media Coordination Centre
Operation Fansan Yamma

Operation Fansan Yamma: Troops Neutralize Terrorists, Capture Weapons in Zamfara

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Engineer in NDLEA Custody Iver Illicit Drug Consignments in Pressure Machines

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Engineer in NDLEA Custody Iver Illicit Drug Consignments in Pressure Machines


…As Operatives Arrest 65-year old Grandma with Apiods in Lagos

By: Michael Mike

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a suspected drug trafficker, Egwu Inya who claims to be a building engineer, while attempting to take delivery of illicit consignments concealed in pressure machines imported from South Africa.

According to a statement on Sunday by the spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi, the 42-year-old Egwu was arrested last Monday at Okeyson motor park Enugu when he showed up to collect three units of pressure machines inside which were hidden parcels of Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, weighing 7.4 kilogrammes.

Babafemi said the consignments had arrived the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos import shed on 29th November 2024, and following credible intelligence, officers of the MMIA Strategic Command of the agency had monitored the shipment pass through clearing processes up to a logistics company’s warehouse outside the airport where it was to be collected by the consignee.

He noted that the importer however changed the point of collection to Enugu at the last minute, and as a result, NDLEA operatives in a follow up operation in Enugu arrested Egwu when he showed up to collect the consignments.

In another clampdown, no fewer than 511,000 pills of tramadol were recovered from a Siena vehicle at Hildi, Askira Uba way in Adamawa state by NDLEA operatives on patrol along the road in the early hours of last Friday. The occupants of the vehicle were said to have made a detour on sighting the NDLEA team and after a distance abandoned the vehicle with the consignments after noticing the operatives were on their heel.

In Ekiti state, two suspects: Olanrewaju Alale, 48, and Babatunde Ijadahun, 55, were arrested along Ise- Emure road in a J5 bus marked EPE 958 XJ while transporting 108 jumbo bags of cannabis weighing 1,323 kilogrammes to Owo, Ondo state from where they claimed the consignment will be moved to the North for distribution.

Another suspect, Adekunle Yusuf, 33, was nabbed by NDLEA operatives with 704 kilogrammes of the same psychoactive substance, concealed in white sacks last Friday at Idere road, Igboora, Oyo state.

In Lagos, a grandmother, 65-year-old Ramata Adeyemo was on Friday arrested by NDLEA operatives at 62 Odunfa street, Lagos Island, where 20.6 litres of codeine-based syrup were recovered from her. Also arrested in Lagos was Alhaji Lawan Manga who was picked at Ogundana Street, Ikeja last Thursday while 4.7 kilogrammes cannabis and 1.3 kilogrammes tramadol were recovered from him.

Babafemi said with the same vigour, commands and formations of the agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization lectures to schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others in the past week.

Meanwhile, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd), while commending the officers and men of MMIA, Adamawa, Ekiti, Lagos, and Oyo commands of the agency for the arrests and seizures, stated that their operational successes and those of their compatriots across the country especially their balanced approach to drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts are well appreciated.

Engineer in NDLEA Custody Iver Illicit Drug Consignments in Pressure Machines

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