The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has reported significant success in its ongoing battle against drug trafficking, with the recent arrest of three sought-after criminal leaders and the seizure of a substantial heroin shipment intended for Oman.
Strategic Arrests Following Intensive Investigation
According to NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, the arrests came after more than two months of the suspects being declared wanted. The operatives’ relentless pursuit culminated in the detention of these key figures from an organized crime network that has been involved in drug trafficking across multiple continents including Nigeria, South Africa, Mozambique, Europe, and America.
Major Heroin Seizure at Murtala Muhammed International Airport
The operation, which initially began on February 10, 2024, at the SAHCO Import Shed of the airport’s Cargo Terminal, led to the discovery of the single largest heroin haul at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja, Lagos. A total of 51.90 kilograms of heroin were recovered from 15 cartons containing 2300-watt metal cutting machines. Inside these machines, NDLEA officials found no less than 45 blocks of heroin weighing 49.70 kilograms, effectively camouflaging the drugs within the cargo.
Additional Recoveries and Interim Forfeitures
Further investigations led NDLEA officers to a warehouse in the Ayobo area of Lagos, where an additional 2.2 kilograms of heroin were seized. Subsequent to these seizures, the agency obtained an interim forfeiture court order targeting assets including hotels, mansions, vehicles, and funds traced to members of the syndicate. This decisive action against the assets of drug traffickers aims to cripple the financial backbone of their operations.
Ongoing Efforts to Capture Remaining Fugitives
Despite these successes, the NDLEA’s work is far from finished. The agency has launched a manhunt for other members of the syndicate who have gone into hiding. This proactive approach underlines the NDLEA’s commitment to completely dismantling the network that has facilitated significant drug trafficking activities within and beyond Nigeria’s borders.
Additional Arrests and Prevented Export
The NDLEA’s statement also highlighted the arrest of two more kingpins on April 19; Onyinyechi Irene Igbokwuputa and Frankline Uzochukwu were apprehended in Lagos and Awka, Anambra state respectively. Another syndicate member, Osita Emmanuel Obinna, was also captured in Lagos. In a closely related incident, an attempt to export a heroin consignment to Oman was thwarted by NDLEA officers at the Lagos airport terminal 2 on April 18. The consignment, which was being smuggled by Iheakara Ifeanyichukwu Festus on an Ethiopian Airlines flight, contained 20 large parcels of cannabis weighing 9.80 kilograms concealed within his luggage.
Comprehensive Operations Across Nigeria
The NDLEA’s operations extend beyond Lagos, with significant drug seizures and arrests taking place across various states. In Adamawa state, NDLEA operatives intercepted a Peugeot car driven by Dahiru Mohammed at Girei, heading towards Mubi, which contained 1,250,000 pills of opioids weighing 450kg. This operation underscores the agency’s vigilance on major transport routes used by traffickers. Additionally, operatives seized consignments of Codeine Syrup and Tramadol concealed in motor spare parts on a J5 bus along the Ngurore-Yola Road, leading to further arrests at the Jambutu motor park.
Arrests and Seizures in Other Regions
Further enforcement actions took place in Yenagoa, Bayelsa state, where NDLEA agents arrested three suspects in connection with 69 compressed blocks of cannabis weighing 36kg, hidden in a false compartment of a Toyota Picnic car. Similarly, in Imo state, NDLEA personnel arrested Kingsley Omeje in Owerri as he received 49 bottles of codeine syrup, showcasing the agency’s commitment to disrupting local drug distribution networks.
Drug Destruction and Arrests in Ondo State
In Ondo state, a significant raid occurred at the Oloro camp in Ogbese, Akure North LGA, where operatives arrested Linus Odogwu and destroyed 25,000 kilograms of cannabis grown on 10 hectares of farmland. Additionally, three other suspects were arrested in different parts of the state for related offenses, further highlighting the breadth of NDLEA’s operations against drug cultivation and distribution.
National Sensitization Efforts
The NDLEA is also intensifying its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) through advocacy and sensitization lectures across the country. Recent events include lectures at St. Dominick High School in Makurdi, Benue state, and Federal Polytechnic Kazaure, Jigawa state, as well as engagements at markets and churches. These educational initiatives are crucial for reducing drug demand by raising awareness about the dangers of drug abuse and the legal consequences of involvement in drug trafficking.
Leadership Commendations
The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), has praised the efforts of the agency’s operatives across various commands for their relentless pursuit of drug traffickers and their commitment to advocacy work. His leadership continues to drive the agency’s proactive and comprehensive approach to curtailing both the supply and demand sides of the illegal drug market in Nigeria.
Conclusion: NDLEA’s Ongoing Commitment
The recent operations by the NDLEA underscore its unwavering commitment to eradicating drug trafficking and abuse within Nigeria. By targeting both high-profile traffickers and local drug networks, alongside community outreach and education, the NDLEA is making significant strides towards achieving a drug-free Nigeria. The continued success of these operations reflects the agency’s strategic enforcement and preventive measures, which are essential for national security and public health.
