NDLEA Busts ‘Unholy Alliance’ Illicit Drugs Party, Arrests Organisers
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) operatives on Saturday raided a lounge in Osogbo where a weird party organised for illicit substance abuse was to hold. The operatives arrested some of the organisers who were found with the drug exhibits. NDLEA spokesman, Mr Femi Babafemi stated on Sunday in Abuja, that the raid followed credible intelligence report that a night party tagged: “Unholy Alliance for Stoners and Drunkards’’ was to hold at the lounge. He stated that different types of illicit substances were to be sold and consumed by the revellers. “Soon after the organisers began to gather at Berrymist Lounge located at Ofatedo Area of Osogbo to start the party, NDLEA operatives swooped in on them. “The operatives arrested the organisers and seized illicit substances and drug paraphernalia from them. “Those arrested included Ikotu Omolayo (25), Fola Olabode (30) and Akorede Adunni Ajibola (22). The management of the lounge has also been invited for investigation. “This comes on the heels of an earlier raid on Thursday, November 23 at Area 5 Forest Reserve, Ile-Ife, also in Osun where operatives recovered 156kg of Indian hemp,’’ Babafemi stated.
NDLEA Seizes 2 Tons Of Illicit Drugs In Lagos, Kogi, 5 Other States
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted more than two tons of illicit substances in Lagos, Ogun, Edo, Ekiti, Anambra, Ondo and Kogi in the last one week. Its spokesman, Mr Femi Babafemi, stated on Sunday in Abuja, that the agency’s operatives stormed a warehouse at Obi Camp in Owan West Local Government Area of Edo on Monday, Nov. 20. They seized 338kg of Indian hemp concealed in sacks of charcoal in the raid. NDLEA operatives also raided Ikhin Forest in Owan East Local Government Area of Edo on Saturday, Nov. 25 and seized 235kg of the same psychoactive substance. “A suspect, Onah Ikechukwu (32) was arrested at Jattu in Etsako West Local Government Area of the state on Wednesday, Nov. 22. “The operatives seized 11,690 capsules of tramadol, 295 bottles of codeine syrup and various quantities of Molly, Indian hemp and Methamphetamine from the suspect. “Another raid on Wednesday, Nov. 22 at Enu-Owa Street, Lagos Island, led to the seizure of 40,500 ampoules of pentazocine injection and 440,000 pills of tramadol in a store belonging to one fleeing Ebuka Amechi. “Not less than 135,600 capsules of tramadol and 950gm of Indian hemp were seized from two suspects – Afamefuna Ibekwe (37), and Sunday Onweh (41) at Nkpor, Akuzor and Ose-Ogbaijo, Onitsha, respectively,’’ he stated. Babafemi added that 37,360 pills of different psychoactive drugs and 250 bottles of codeine syrup were recovered from one Muhammed Khamis (22) on Thursday, Nov. 23 on the Okene-Lokoja-Abuja Expressway. The drugs were being transported from Onitsha, Anambra to Abuja, Babafemi stated. NDLEA operatives in Ekiti seized 288kg of Indian hemp at Odo-Owa Forest in Ijero Local Government Area of the state on Saturday, Nov. 25. “At least, 116kg of Indian hemp were seized from a suspect, Chinagoram Obaru (24) who was arrested at Iju Forest on Thursday, Nov. 23,’’ he added. Babafemi also stated that 859kg of Indian hemp, concealed among bags of sugar in a truck for onward transportation to Mokwa, Niger state were recovered. The consignment, he added, was loaded at Ogbese in Ondo State and hidden among bags of cement in a truck before it was trans-loaded into another articulated vehicle in Ogun. On Friday, Nov. 24, NDLEA operatives in Ogun arrested two suspects – Adamu Ibrahim and Nura Sani at Ileke trailer garage, on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. NDLEA Chairman, retired Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa commended the officers and men over the seizures and arrests. He charged them to remain vigilant and to double their efforts, especially as criminal networks had become desperate to make quick money preparatory to the Yuletide season.
NDLEA Nabs Notorious Drug Kingpin, Accomplices In Abuja
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has captured Ibrahim Momoh, popularly known as Ibrahim Bendel, a major distributor of illegal substances in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. According to NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi on Monday, the arrest took place during a raid on Momoh’s hideout at Filin Dabo, Dei-Dei area, seven years after his escape from prison custody. Momoh, previously convicted for drug dealing, absconded while serving a seven-and-a-half-year sentence in 2016. “Acting on credible intelligence, NDLEA operatives raided Momoh’s warehouse, recovering 1,278kg of Cannabis sativa hidden in 81 jumbo bags,” Babafemi stated. The drug lord’s warehouse was discreetly situated within his poultry farm, with his manager, Richard Forson Gordon, a 55-year-old Ghanaian, apprehended during the operation and subsequently sentenced to two years in jail. Continuing their pursuit, NDLEA operatives finally captured Momoh on November 5, 2022, in another raid at his hideout in Filin Dabo, seizing 56.9kg of Cannabis sativa and 42.7 grams of Diazepam. Additionally, during a separate operation in the FCT, a 27-year-old suspect named Yusufa Ibrahim was arrested with 75.3kg of cannabis. The NDLEA said it remains resolute in its efforts to curb illicit drug activities within the FCT, ensuring the law is upheld and perpetrators face justice.
Nigerian Navy Seizes 50 Sacks Of Cannabis Worth N70m In Badagry Bust
The Nigerian Navy’s Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Badagry, Lagos intercepted 50 sacks of cannabis sativa valued at N70 million in the Gbethrome community. Lt. Cdr Kelly Umoru, FOB Base Operations Officer, reported on Sunday that the seizure occurred around 6:30 a.m. at an unfinished building close to the beach. Acting on a tip-off, naval operatives discovered the illicit substance stored in these abandoned premises. Umoru highlighted that each of the 50 seized sacks contained approximately 200 parcels of the suspected cannabis, collectively valued at N70 million in the market. “You will recall that on November 9, 2023, the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Navy Command Operations, Rear Admiral Mustapha Hussan, flagged off an operation codenamed ‘Water Guard’ line with the Chief of Naval Staff’s directive. “FOB Badagry on Sunday, Nov.19, acting on credible human intelligence, stormed Gbethrome, and discovered 50 sacks of suspected cannabis sativa stored in an abandoned building near the beach. “Each of the sacks contains about 200 parcels. The market value of the items is N70million,” he said. This interception aligns with the ‘Water Guard’ operation, initiated on November 9, 2023, following the directive of Rear Admiral Mustapha Hussan, Flag Officer Commanding, Western Navy Command. The Nigerian Navy intends to hand over the confiscated items to the appropriate agency for further necessary action. This interception follows a similar incident on October 4, where the Navy in Badagry handed over 27 sacks of cannabis sativa, worth N35 million, to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). Navy Capt. Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, FOB Commanding Officer, stated that these items were seized on September 29 at Pako Beach in Badagry.
Q3: NDLEA Has Seized N80m Worth Of Drugs, Arrested 134 Suspects -Commander
The National Drug Law, Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) FCT command has seized 3,988.74 kilograms of assorted drugs with a monetary value of N80milion. The FCT Commander of Narcotics, (CN) Mr Kabir Tsakuwa disclosed this in Abuja. Tsakuwa however, said that a total of 134 suspected drug traffickers, peddlers and abusers were also arrested in the same period. He named the assorted drugs as cannabis Sativa, Cocaine, Methamphetamine, Tramadol, Rohypnol and Diazepam. He added that the major drug seized by the Operatives of the NDLEA was cannabis sativa adding that many suspects were prosecuted and convicted in the same period. According to him, cannabis sativa seized within the same period are 3,861.789kg while cocaine intercepted were 0.038Kg “Others includes diazepam which weighs 13.63Kg, Tramadol weighs 105.136Kg while Methamphetamine weighs 3.024Kg, Ectasy weighs 0.009kg with Pentazocine weighing 1.070Kg. “134 suspected drugs users and traffickers were arrested in third quarter in which 128 are males and six are females. “The total street value of drugs seized within the same period is about Eighty Million Naira (N80m). “One hundred and four (104) suspects were prosecuted, out of which 27 were convicted,” he said. Speaking on what the command had been doing to ensure reduction of usage and trafficking of illicit drugs in the FCT, the NDLEA boss said that the Command had a balanced approach in drug control strategy. This, he said was via drug demand reduction and drug supply reduction as they both complemented each other. He said the demand reduction was aimed at preventive measures while the supply reduction strategy was about enforcement duties. He said “under the preventive strategy, we have a sustainable intensive sensitisation and public enlightenment programme using the platform of “War Against Drug Abuse” (WADA). Tsakuwa said that WADA was a social advocacy campaign designed to get every Nigerian involved in the task of ridding the country of illicit substance. “We organised programmes in schools, corporate organisations, religious places of worship (Mosques and Churches), etc. to ensure involvement of all stakeholders. “We collaborate with quite a number of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and other stakeholders to carry out sensitisation. “We also provide support systems for drug dependent individuals through counseling at our rehabilitation centre that is manned by well learned counseling experts. “Clients are counseled for a period of three, six and 12 months depending on the level of addiction of the individual. “Under Supply reduction, we embark on arrest of drug offenders, investigation and prosecution,” he said.
NDLEA Confiscates 685 Kg Illicit Drugs, Shuts Down 13 Drug Outlets in Kaduna
The Kaduna State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has reported a significant operation resulting in the seizure of 685.179 kg of illicit drugs and the dismantling of 13 illicit drug joints within Kaduna. Mr. Ibrahim Braji, the NDLEA State Commander, revealed on Sunday that these operations took place during the month of August. During this period, law enforcement authorities apprehended a total of 86 suspects, consisting of 83 males and three females. The confiscated drugs included 650.690 kg of Indian Hemp, 0.004 kg of Cocaine, 0.003 kg of Heroin, 0.197 kg of Methamphetamine, 9.336 kg of Tramadol, and 24.949 kg of Psychotropic substances. Braji specified that the 13 illicit drug outlets were located in various areas, including Tirkaniya, Kantin Kwari garage, Badarawa, Filin Minister, Mangarori, Kafanchan, Unguwar Gimbiya, Kauru, Birnin Yero, Narayi, Unguwar Gwari, Hayin Na’iya, and Hayin Dan Mani. In addition to the drug seizures, the NDLEA operatives also recovered 100 rounds of live ammunition, live bullets, one pistol marked 73.1×19, one locally made pistol, and 448 rounds of live ammunition of 7.69mm. Commander Braji emphasized that the fight against illicit drugs and drug consumption is a collective responsibility and urged the public to support their efforts in addressing this pressing issue. He encouraged individuals to provide timely information to enable proactive measures against drug-related offenses.
NDLEA seizes 514,420 pills of suspected hard drugs in 3 states, FCT
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) operatives intercepted at least 514,420 pills of suspected hard drugs in Gombe, Adamawa, Ogun and other parts of the federation between August 21 and August 23. Its spokesman, Mr Femi Babafemi stated on Sunday in Abuja that NDLEA officers recovered an abandoned vehicle on Darazo Road in Gombe State containing 373,420 tramadol and diazepam pills on August 21. He added that operatives also recovered 60,000 pills of tramadol from a suspect travelling in a commercial Toyota Starlet car from Kalaa village to Mubi both in Adamawa on August 22. “Operatives raided the home of a drug dealer in Ibafo area of Ogun on August 23 and recovered 81,000 tablets of tramadol weighing 32.4kg. “In the FCT, operatives intercepted two consignments of suspected skunk with a gross weight of 1,242.1kg. “The first consignment of 665.1kgs was seized from a truck in Abuja on August 20, while the second one, weighing 577kg, was recovered during a stop-and-search operation on Lokoja- Abaji Expressway. “The consignment was concealed in an online shopping company’s goods delivery packs conveyed inside a containerised truck. The driver and his assistant were arrested,’’ he stated. Babafemi stated also that NDLEA operatives conducting stop-and-search operation on Jebba-Minna Road linking Kwara and Niger intercepted a commercial truck conveying goods from Lagos to Katsina on August 22. The truck had 37.5kg of suspected Indian hemp hidden among other items inside it, he added. The driver and his assistant were also arrested for investigation. “In Yobe, NDLEA operatives intercepted a vehicle on Potiskum (Yobe)-Gombe Road on August 23 “Three suspects in the vehicle were arrested with 133 blocks of suspected Indian hemp weighing 62kg,’’ Babafemi also stated.
NDLEA nabs 84 suspects, seizes 451.976kg illicit substances in Kaduna
In a significant operation, the Kaduna State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has successfully apprehended 84 suspects and confiscated a total of 451.976kg of illicit drugs within the region. The State Commander of NDLEA, Mr. Ibrahim Braji, made this announcement in Kaduna, revealing that these arrests and seizures occurred during the month of July. During this period, the command also achieved six convictions of suspects involved in illicit drug activities. The range of seized substances encompasses a variety of illegal drugs, including Indian Hemp, Cocaine, Methamphetamine, Tramadol, and other Psychotropic substances. The overall combined weight of the confiscated drugs during this review period is reported to be 451.976kg. Moreover, the vigilant operatives of NDLEA discovered 90 rounds of live ammunition, live bullets of 7.62mm calibers, and a newly identified Jojef pump-action gun with the registration number 23-0174. The NDLEA has also been resolute in their efforts to eradicate the presence of illicit drug joints across the state. A commendable feat of dismantling 18 such establishments has been accomplished during the month under review. These locations include Kantin Agah, Hayin Dan-mani, Mando, Anguwan Dosa, Mararabar Rido, Tukur-Tukur, and Sabon Gari. Additional locations that were addressed include Palladan, Unguwar Doki, Mekera, Rigasa, Dan Daura, Karji, Ghana road, Television, Unguwar Ma’azu, Kudenden, and Jushi. Mr. Ibrahim Braji took the opportunity to make an appeal to parents, urging them to maintain vigilance over their children’s activities and associates. He emphasized the importance of knowing the company their children keep to prevent them from getting involved in illegal activities. Furthermore, Braji issued a stern warning to individuals engaged in the unlawful drug trade. He urged them to seek lawful means of livelihood and emphasized that the NDLEA remains committed to pursuing and prosecuting those who persist in illicit activities, ensuring that they face the full force of the law. “Grand total weight of drug seized within the period under review is 451.976kg. The commander also disclosed that its operatives also recovered 90 rounds of live ammunition; Live bullets 7.62mm calibres and new Jojef pump action gun with registration number 23-0174. “Within the month under review, 18 illicit drug joints have been dismantled across the state which included Kantin Agah, Hayin Dan-mani, Mando, Anguwan Dosa, Mararabar Rido, Tukur-Tukur and Sabon Gari. Others are Palladan, Unguwar Doki, Mekera, Rigasa, Dan Daura, Karji, Ghana road, Television, Unguwar Ma’azu, Kudenden and Jushi. Braji appealed to parents to watch over their children and know the kind of friends they associated with at all times. He warned illegal drug dealers to look for better livelihood, adding that if they refused, the agency would go after them and ensure they faced full wrath of law.
India-bound ‘couple’ excretes 184 wraps of cocaine – NDLEA
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA) have arrested a fake couple, Kingsley and Roseline Ilonzeh for ingesting 184 wraps of cocaine. The Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, Mr. Femi Babafemi, said this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja. He said that the suspected drug traffickers were purportedly going for medical treatment in India. Babafemi said that the drugs weighed 3.322Kg, while another 100 grammes of the drug was concealed in the woman’s private part. He said that the two suspects were intercepted at Screening Point 1, Terminal 1 of the international wing of the Lagos airport on Aug. 1, while attempting to board an Ethiopian airline flight to India. Babafemi further said that though their travel documents showed consistency in their names and depicted them as a couple, an NDLEA officer however, decided to subject them to a body scan. He said that the scan confirmed the couple ingested drugs as a result of which they were later placed on excretion observation at the agency’s facility. ”Their travel documents identify the man as Ilonzeh Kingsley Onyebuchi and the lady to be Ilonzeh Roseline Nonyelum, “Preliminary investigation reveals that the intending passengers are not a couple but obtained the travel documents in the same surname to beat security checks at the airport. “The lady later gave her real name as Ngogbike Nkechi. During interview, she confessed that she was recruited in her Church in Aba, Abia where she lives. “The suspect, Ilonzeh Roseline Nonyelum (aka Ngogbike Nkechi) states further that she is a divorcee and that Kingsley, with whom she is travelling is not her husband but connected only for the purpose of the illicit drug business trip. “She said that Kingsley, her arranged husband brought the pellets of cocaine to ingest her in the hotel where they both lodged in separate rooms on July, 31, ” he said. The NDLEA spokesperson said that after their arrest, a thorough search conducted on her led to the discovery of a big size wrap of cocaine that weighed 100 grammes which she inserted into her private part. He said that the suspected drug trafficker confessed that she was promised $5,000 upon successful delivery of the drug in India. Babafemi said that in his own statement, Kingsley, who was into clothing business in Onitsha, Anambra claimed he was promised $2,000 after a successful delivery of the drug in India. “A further search of the agency’s crime data base reveals that Kingsley also obtained his travel documents with fake identity for the trip. “Indeed, it has been established that he was arrested by NDLEA operatives at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja on March 19, 2022, for ingesting 100 wraps of cocaine weighing 2.243kgs upon his arrival from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on board an Ethiopian airline flight. “His travel documents then contained his real name: Uwaezuoke Ikenna Christian,” he said. He noted that after his arrest at the Abuja airport on March 19, 2022, with another suspect, Iro Elvis Uche, who also ingested 65 wraps of cocaine with a gross weight of 1.376kgs, Uwaezuoke was subsequently arraigned. Babafemi said that he was arraigned before Justice Zainab Abubakar of the Federal High Court Abuja with charge number: FHC/ABJ/CR/438/2022. He said that the suspect was eventually granted bail by the court, pending the conclusion of his trial. ”He is still on court bail when he was arrested at the Lagos airport for a similar offence on August 1. “Ilonzeh Kingsley Onyebuchi (aka Uwaezuoke Ikenna Christian) excreted a total of 82 wraps of cocaine with a gross weight of 1.822kgs in five excretions. “Ilonzeh Roseline Nonyelum (aka Ngogbike Nkechi) ingested 101 wraps in four excretions with a big size wrap of the substance recovered from her private part, all weighing 1.50kgs,” he said.
NDLEA busts 57,450 pills of Tramadol, Rohypnol, others in Abuja
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted 57,450 pills of tramadol, Rohypnol, and Exol-5 along the Abaji-Abuja highway from a suspect, Mr Joseph Usman. A statement by the NDLEA spokesperson, Mr Femi Babafemi on Sunday in Abuja, said that 4,082 bottles of codeine-based syrup were also recovered from the suspect, Joseph Usman. Babafemi said the suspect was arrested in a commercial bus coming from Onitsha, Anambra State, to Abuja on Friday. Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation (DOGI), attached to courier companies in Lagos have intercepted various quantities of Dextromethorphan. Babafemi said that the drugs were mixed with heroin, Methamphetamine, Dimethyl Sulfone, and Cannabis and concealed in different objects bound for Europe. He said that 272 grams of dextromethorphan, mixed with heroin going to Greece were recovered from white neck beads, adding that 665 grams of cannabis being shipped to Hong Kong were hidden in bars of Dudu Osun black bathing soap. He added that 261 grams of Dimethyl Sulfone bound for New Zealand hidden in reels of weaving threads and 1.5kgs of Methamphetamine also heading to New Zealand were intercepted. “The drugs were neatly packed in an MP3 player after all the parts were removed and the substance stuffed as a replacement,” he said. Also, in Kano state, a woman and four men – Ladi Peter,47; Umar Salisu, 38; Ahmed Naheeb, 36; Ibrahim Umar, 42, and Musa Suleman, 43, have been arrested for drug related issues. Babafemi said that the suspects were intercepted in connection with the seizure of 977.7 kilograms of cannabis sativa recovered from them by NDLEA operatives. He added that they were arrested along Zaria-Kano road, Kwanar Dangora on Friday and July 31. In the same vein, 2,445 kilograms of cannabis sativa were recovered from the warehouse of a fleeing suspect, Usman Nar at the Madinatu area of Jere LGA, Borno state on Saturday, August 5.