NDLEA arrests ‘port workers’ for importing illicit drugs, arms from South Africa to Lagos

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), says its operatives have arrested members of a “criminal syndicate” over the importation of two containers of illicit drugs, arms and ammunition from South Africa into Nigeria.

In a statement on Sunday, Femi Babafemi, NDLEA spokesperson, said three workers at Tincan seaport in Lagos were arrested for being part of the syndicate.

He said the illicit drugs recovered from the two containers included 56.39kg of cocaine and 987.9kg of Colorado, both weighing 1,044.29kg.

“Among those already arrested as members of the syndicate are: a clearing and notify party of the two containers, Falowo Samuel Kayode; a dock worker, Anjorin Idowu and Uzairu Ahmed Iguda who is in charge of the Five Star terminal at the port. Another dock worker at the terminal, Mohammed Muktar Sule (alias organizer) who is equally linked to the syndicate is currently at large,” the statement reads.

“Based on credible intelligence, the Agency had requested for a 100 percent joint examination of two containers marked MSCU 4581770 and TRHU 7968071 from South Africa. As a result, the exercise was conducted with other stakeholders on 18th and 19th of January, 2024 during which 56.39kg cocaine and 795kg Colorado, a synthetic strong strain of cannabis among other illegal items were recovered from the containers.

“The latest seizure brings the total recovered from the two containers to 56.39kg of cocaine and 987.9kg of Colorado with a combined weight of 1,044.29kg. Investigations have also revealed three kingpins believed to be based in South Africa and connected with the importation of the containers. They include: Odeyemi Taiwo Emmanuel; Akinyemi Olayinka and Adebayo Adewole Emmanuel who are now on the Agency’s wanted list.”

Babafemi added that the operatives also raided a drug joint in Edo and recovered illicit drugs.

He said one Jessica Destiny, the owner of the joint and Ibrahim Sani, the commander of Arewa Association Vigilantes in the area, were also arrested.

Babafemi added that the agency seized a consignment of 179kg of cannabis at Badagry Waterside, Lagos.

He noted that operatives nabbed Rafiu Ogunr, a 67-year-old grandpa, at Magbon, Ogun state, with 57kg cannabis, 2,700 pills of tramadol, and 231 bottles of codeine syrup, weighing 2.31 litres.

In the northern part of Nigeria, the NDLEA spokesperson said operatives arrested one Zara Mele with quantities of cocaine and heroin in Borno.

“Usman Shuaibu, and Mohammed Lawan, were also nabbed with quantities of the same class A drug at Meri and Babban Layi areas of Maiduguri,” he said.

“No less than 44,820 pills of opioids being taken to Zamfara by the duo of Tasiu Mohammed and Abubakar Tanko were intercepted along Jega-Sokoto road by NDLEA officers in Kebbi state. And in Kaduna, Ali Abdulhamid, a farmer, was arrested in his farm where he grows tomatoes and some stems of cannabis sativa weighing 73 kilograms.”