By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Correspondent
ILLICIT DRUGS concealed for export and widespread domestic distribution were intercepted as operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) recorded multiple arrests and seizures across several states, including the interception of a United Kingdom (UK)- bound cocaine consignment at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos.
In all, seventy-five parcels of cocaine weighing 1.50 kilograms were seized at the airport export shed after being discovered concealed in factory sealed sachets of cold-water starch.
The consignment was heading to the UK when it was intercepted by NDLEA operatives.
Three cargo agents identified as Jubrin Firdausi Hassana, Kuku Daniel Oluwasegun and Igwe Chioma Jane were arrested on Saturday 20th December in connection with the attempted export.
Further investigation identified 37-year-old Nwobodo Chidiebere Basil as the mastermind behind the shipment. He was arrested during a follow up operation on Sunday 21st December at a popular relaxation centre in Ikeja where he was on a date with his girlfriend.
Checks of the agency’s criminal database showed that Nwobodo had previously been arrested in May 2023 in connection with the seizure of 30.10 kilograms of methamphetamine concealed in powdered custard containers.
The drugs formed part of a consolidated cargo bound for London and were intercepted at the Lagos airport export shed. He was arraigned before a Federal High Court under charge number FHC L 337C 2023, convicted and sentenced to five years imprisonment with an option of a N7million fine, along with one month community service, effective from 4th December 2023.
After paying the fine, he still returned to drug trafficking.
In Ekiti State, NDLEA operatives on Monday 22nd December set ablaze tons of skunk and wooden warehouses at the Ara forest in Ara Ekiti.
During the operation, 638 kilograms of the psychoactive substance were recovered from the forest.
On the same day in Edo State, 1,205 blocks of compressed cannabis sativa weighing 883.1 kilograms were recovered from three Toyota Camry vehicles intercepted by NDLEA operatives on patrol along the Igara Auchi road.
Operations in Cross River State on Sunday 21st December led to the arrest of three suspects during raids at Agoi Ibami community in Yakurr Local Government Area. Freedom Jonah Akpama, 27, was arrested with 671 kilograms of skunk, David Itam David, 30, with 89 kilograms, and Nelson Arikpo Osam, 26, with 148 kilograms.
Another arrest followed on Monday 22nd December along the Abaji Abuja expressway, where a 42 year old woman identified as Joy Oisamaye was apprehended with 38 kilograms of skunk while travelling from Otua in Owan East Local Government Area of Edo State.
In Lagos, NDLEA operatives arrested Ajoke Dauda with 45.5 kilograms of skunk on Christmas Day, Thursday 25th December, at Agbara along the Badagry expressway. A day earlier on Wednesday 24th December, Oluwasegun Felix was arrested with 18.5 kilograms of the same substance at Itoga in the Badagry area.
Two additional arrests were recorded in Taraba State, where Emmanuel Danladi, 39, and John Onoja, 41, were apprehended in the Takum area with a combined 48 kilograms of skunk. Danladi was arrested on Wednesday 24th December, while Onoja was arrested a day earlier on Tuesday 23rd December.
In Gombe State, a 65 year old driver, Sada’u Mohammed, was arrested along the Gombe Biu highway while conveying 300 ampoules of pentazocine injection, 27,900 pills of tramadol and other opioids. He was travelling towards Biu in Borno State at the time of his arrest.
Meanwhile, a businessman identified as Ignatius Egbochie, also known as Brown, was arrested in connection with the seizure of 56 parcels of Loud, a strain of cannabis, weighing 26 kilograms at the Tincan seaport in Lagos.
The drugs were seized on 10th December during a joint examination of a container by NDLEA, Customs and other security agencies. A follow up operation on 19th December led to his arrest in Apapa. Egbochie is 47 years old.
Across commands nationwide, NDLEA officers also carried out War Against Drug Abuse sensitisation activities over the past week. These included enlightenment lectures to students and staff of Destiny Child Academy in Nkpor, Anambra State during holiday skills acquisition training, as well as outreach programmes targeting women and teachers in Dutsinma Local Government Area of Katsina State and youths in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa Retired, commended officers of the MMIA Lagos, Tincan, Seme, Ekiti, Edo, Cross River, Federal Capital Territory, Gombe and Taraba commands for the arrests and seizures.
He acknowledged their commitment and urged officers nationwide to remain extra vigilant throughout the festive season and beyond, while maintaining the highest standards of professionalism in all drug control efforts.
