By Olaide Ajibola, JKNewsMedia Reporter
MASSIVE DRUD interceptions in Abuja have exposed the scale of illicit trafficking in Nigeria’s capital, with operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) seizing narcotics worth N815.8 million between January and December 2024.
The crackdown resulted in multiple arrests and ongoing prosecutions.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Commander of the NDLEA, Mr Kabir Tsakuwa, confirmed the seizures, stating that operatives intercepted a total of 10,356.027kg of illicit substances.
These included 10,220.514kg of cannabis sativa, 104.285kg of tramadol, 3.603kg of methamphetamine, 5.730kg of Rohypnol, 19.186kg of diazepam, 2.18kg of pentazocine, 0.393kg of cocaine, 0.136kg of ecstasy, and 293.1 litres of codeine syrup.
Major drug busts occurred throughout the year. In February, 676.5kg of cannabis sativa, hidden in a truck from Akure, Ondo State, was intercepted.
The same month, operatives seized 1,961.5kg and 89.0kg of cannabis sativa from Edo and Ondo states, respectively.
In May, a significant haul of 4,752.0kg of cannabis was found hidden inside a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tanker on the Abaji-Abuja highway. The truck had originated from Ondo State, and multiple suspects were arrested.
June saw another major operation when 340.8kg of cannabis sativa was found concealed in a white Nissan Hilux in the Kuje area of Abuja. The drugs were traced to Edo State.
July’s operation led to the confiscation of 1,132 bottles of codeine syrup (113.2 litres) alongside 18.0kg of assorted drugs, including tramadol, Rohypnol, and diazepam.
The consignment had originated from Onitsha, Anambra State.
In November, operatives intercepted a truck carrying 755.5kg of cannabis sativa from Ogbese, Ondo State.
The NDLEA also says it has initiated financial investigations alongside the Directorate of Asset and Financial Investigation (DAFI).
Authorities further said that it secured a court order to forfeit N6,643,530 found alongside drug exhibits at crime scenes.
Another N1,069,250 in monetary evidence from concluded drug cases was also forfeited. These funds will be transferred to the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Additionally, a court-ordered forfeiture of an abandoned property in Kuje, linked to a suspected drug baron, was executed. Several ongoing court cases involve barons arrested with large quantities of narcotics.
Tsakuwa reiterated the NDLEA’s commitment to dismantling drug trafficking networks, urging continued public support in the fight against illicit drugs in the FCT.
