NDLEA arrests three ‘members of drug syndicate’ in Abuja, seizes 718 grams of illicit substance

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says its operatives have arrested three suspected members of a cocaine syndicate in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

The agency also seized over 44,948 kilograms of illicit drugs in Lagos, Edo and Ondo states in one month.

In a statement on Sunday, Femi Babafemi, NDLEA spokesperson, said the agency destroyed 7,687.8kg of cannabis and evacuated 670kg of the substance from a warehouse on March 23 in Ala forest, Akure, Ondo state.

Babafemi said NDLEA operatives on March 19 also razed 14,310.8625 kg of cannabis grown on 5.7 hectares of land in Ohosu/Ugbogui forest, Ovia south-west LGA, Edo state.

He said five suspects — Sunday Otulugbu, Agbayeogor Joshua, Kelvin Ofuasia, Williams Peter, and Kamaru Onimisi — were arrested during the raid.

“In another operation, over 6,500kg of cannabis was destroyed on 2.6 hectares of farm in Uzebba/Avbiosi forest and three suspects: Kabiru Idris, Alaba Jimoh, and Lekan Asobere, 35, were arrested,” the statement reads.

“Also, the operatives razed a warehouse containing 5,000kg of the same substance in Okpuje forest, Owan West LGA with support from the military on Friday, March 22.

“In Lagos, the agency’s operation led to the seizure of 10,534 kilograms of Ghanaian Loud, a strain of cannabis, in the Ajah area of the state, seizing 11 vehicles from the drug cartel in the process.

“In another raid at Ago Palace way area of the state, a suspect, Miracle Obi, was arrested with 1,006 ampoules of pentazocine injection; 50 tablets of tramadol 225mg; 89 bottles of codeine syrup and 2,360 ampoules of Diazepam injection.

“Another suspect, Kareem Mustapha was earlier on Tuesday 19th March nabbed along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway with 25,000 pills of tramadol and 5,900 ampoules of pentazocine injection.”

“In the northern part of the country, 58kg of cannabis was recovered at Jagindi village, Kafanchan LGA, Kaduna state on Friday, March 22.

“Also, one Abdulqadir Muhammad was arrested with 45 kilograms of the same substance along the Kaduna- Zaria expressway.

“In Borno state, Salisu Yusuf was nabbed with 30kg Arizona, a strain of cannabis, at Njimtilo checkpoint on Saturday 23rd March.

“Another suspect, Rabiu Husseini, was arrested with 34kg cannabis along Gwagwalada/Abuja highway on his way from Lagos to Katsina state on March 21.

“NDLEA officers on patrol along Gashua-Baymari road, Busari LGA, Yobe state arrested Haladu Hassan with 160 blocks of cannabis sativa weighing 50kg.”

The NDLEA spokesperson said operatives arrested members of a cocaine syndicate in Kano.

“In Kano state, a syndicate dealing in cocaine and heroin was successfully dismantled with the arrest of 42-year-old Onyeka Uba at Sabon Gari area of Kano where 1.805 kilograms and 7grams of the illicit substances were recovered from him on Monday 18th March. Another suspect, Ubale Sani, 49, was also arrested with 51.5kg cannabis at the Chiromawa area of Kano,” he said.

“Operatives of a special operation unit of NDLEA also disrupted criminal activities of another cocaine syndicate in Abuja at the weekend with the arrest of three leaders of the group.

“While Nnajiofor Celestine Kenechukwu, 41, and Okoro Chigozie Christian, 35, were arrested on Friday 22nd March at Paint House Hotel, Umar Garba Benna Street, 21 Road, First Avenue, Gwarimpa Abuja with 718 grams of cocaine, a follow-up operation at the residence of Okoro Chigozie at House 30, 69B Road 6th Avenue Gwarimpa, led to the recovery of 19 blocks of Arizona, two vehicles, a strain of cannabis weighing 9.823kg and monetary exhibits: N545,500 and $250, as well as property documents.

“Another follow-up operation to the residence of Nnajiofor Celestine Kenechukwu at 49 Mercy Orjiakor street, Becky Estate 11, Karu, Nasarawa state on Saturday 23rd March also led to the recovery of various quantities of Arizona and methamphetamine while his girlfriend and accomplice, Ifemenam Oge was arrested.”

Buba Marwa, NDLEA chairman, commended the officers and encouraged them to intensify their war against drugs and take the advocacy to schools, markets, motor parks, worship centres and workplaces.