In major operations in Delta, Bauchi, and the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja, Lagos, operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have intercepted 294,440 tablets of Tramadol, Diazepam, Swinol, Rohyphnol, and Exol-5, as well as other illicit substances.
According to NDLEA spokesman Femi Babafemi, 41 individuals were apprehended in raids in Abuja and Kaduna State on Sunday.
He said in Delta, one Christian Onah, 42, was arrested at Isele- Azagba junction with 23,160 tablets of Swinol and 66,000 tablets of Rohypnol, both weighing 71.6kg while conveying the drugs from Benin, Edo to Onitsha, Anambra state.
“In another arrest, a commercial vehicle from Onitsha going to Ibadan, Oyo state was intercepted at Abraka junction, Asaba on Wednesday 2nd March with 78,000 capsules of Tramadol; 5,000 tablets of Diazepam and 97,500 tablets of Exol-5, while a suspect, Olaniyan Sunday, 42, was arrested.
“At least, a female suspect, Patricia Saduwa, 42, was arrested with 233.7kg cannabis during a raid operation in Orogun community close to Abbi town in Kwale LGA, Delta State on Friday 4th March. The raid of another house in the community same day led to the seizure of 123.7kg cannabis while the owner is still at large.
“In Bauchi, operatives acting on credible intelligence raided a warehouse at Gadar- Maiwa, Ningi Local Government Area of the state, where 542.5kg of cannabis; 6,800 tablets of Diazepam and 12,400 tablets of Exol-5 were recovered on Wednesday 2nd March,” Babafemi said.
He added that on Thursday, 3rd March, a suspect, Olalekan Wasiu Ayinde was also arrested at the export shed with 4,980 capsules of Tramadol; 600 capsules of Rohypnol and some designer drugs concealed inside locust beans and hidden among food items for export to South Africa.
Babafemi also disclosed that 30 suspects were arrested at Malali area of Kaduna during raids aimed at destroying drug joints across the state.
“A suspect, Usman Dahiru was arrested with 24kg cannabis concealed in two sacks of used clothes on Thursday 3rd March along Abuja-Kaduna express road,” he said.
While commending officers, Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) charged them and their compatriots across the country to remain vigilant and on the offensive until all drug cartels in Nigeria were completely dismantled.