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By Lizzy Chirkpi
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have seized and destroyed over 65,000 kilograms of skunk in nationwide anti-narcotics operations, while also intercepting cocaine and opioid consignments concealed in carton walls and destined for the United Kingdom and Australia.
The massive drug haul followed coordinated raids across Delta, Kaduna, Edo, Ogun, Kano, Oyo, Taraba and the Federal Capital Territory as the agency intensified its crackdown on drug trafficking and abuse across the country.
At a courier company in Lagos, NDLEA operatives intercepted 170 grams of cocaine hidden inside the walls of a carton containing clothes bound for Australia. In another shipment heading to the United Kingdom, officers recovered 200 ampoules of pentazocine injection, 1,100 capsules of tramadol and 100 ampoules of promethazine injection concealed in a carton.
In Delta State, NDLEA operatives raided cannabis farms in Ejeonu village, Ukwuani Local Government Area, and Orogun village in Ughelli North LGA, destroying a combined 65,000 kilograms of skunk cultivated on 26 hectares of farmland.
The operations, conducted between May 10 and May 12, also led to the arrest of two suspects, 52 year old Ifeanyichukwu Peter and 30 year old Godwin Vincent Osadera.
In Kaduna State, NDLEA operatives arrested 42-year-old Husaini Suleiman after recovering 361 kilograms of skunk during a raid in Dan Magaji area of Zaria town. Officers also intercepted 1,989 rounds of RLA 7.62mm ammunition concealed inside bags of garri along the Abuja-Kaduna highway. The suspect, Abdullahi Hassan, and the ammunition were subsequently transferred to another security agency for further investigation.
Similarly in Abuja, operatives arrested 29 year old businessman Ogadi Peter, alleged to be a producer of drug-laced cakes and cookies for parties and social events. He was apprehended at his residence in Life Camp, where officers recovered 800 grams of skunk and 2.7 kilograms of drug-infused cookies.
Elsewhere, NDLEA operatives arrested Aliyu Sani in Ogun State with 181 kilograms of skunk, while another suspect, Sufiyanu Mohammed Misa, was nabbed in Taraba State with 105,850 opioid pills, including tramadol, diazepam and exol-5.
In Oyo State, two suspects Adeleke Olamide Aliyah and Aloba Abdulazeez were arrested in connection with the seizure of 99 litres of skuchies, while operatives in Edo State destroyed an additional 1,388 kilograms of skunk during raids on farms in Ago forest, Orhionmwon Local Government Area.
In Kano State, officers recovered 1.2 kilograms of tramaking 225mg pills hidden inside a 25-litre jerrycan of palm oil at Kofar Ruwa motor park, while another suspect, Aminu Isa, was arrested with 30.5 kilograms of skunk in Sabuwar Sharada.
The agency also sustained its War Against Drug Abuse sensitisation campaign across schools in Oyo, Niger, Lagos, Katsina, Ekiti and Kano states.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Mohamed Buba Marwa, commended officers involved in the operations for maintaining pressure on drug trafficking networks and balancing enforcement with public sensitisation efforts.
NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, said the operations reflect the agency’s continued resolve to combat drug trafficking and substance abuse nationwide.