Nigeria’s Battle Against Drug Trafficking: NDLEA’s Recent Successes
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has been making substantial efforts to combat drug-related crimes across Nigeria, resulting in multiple arrests and significant drug seizures.
Sherif Egbo Ally, a 40-year-old businessman based in Spain, was apprehended at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. He was detained while attempting to board an Air France flight to Paris, France.
NDLEA operatives discovered that he had ingested illicit drugs. After an examination, it was revealed that Mr. Egbo had 93 pellets of heroin weighing 2.222 kilogrammes in his stomach. He reportedly confessed to being involved in both a chicken hatchery farm in Madrid, Spain, and the drug trafficking business.
At the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos, NDLEA officers seized a shipment of 10 cartons containing 500,000 pills of tramadol 225mg, which were falsely labelled as tapentadol. The cargo, which had been shipped from India through Qatar Airways, was destined for Monrovia, Liberia. However, a collaborative effort with the Liberian authorities exposed the true contents.
Another drug seizure took place at the Lagos airport when an individual named Ngene Chinecherem Oscar attempted to export 11.100 kg of skunk and 600 grammes of tramadol concealed within foodstuffs. NDLEA officers thwarted his attempt and apprehended him, confiscating the illicit substances.
Furthermore, NDLEA officers from the Directorate of Operations and General Investigations (DOGI), attached to courier companies, intercepted 1kg of methamphetamine hidden in containers of body cream destined for New Zealand. Additionally, 2.5 kg of cocaine and phenacetin were discovered concealed within a bottle of body cream intended for Saudi Arabia. In separate operations in Lagos, 112 grams of Dimethyl Sulfone and 583 grams of cocaine and phenacetin were seized.
In Imo State, a significant discovery was made when NDLEA operatives intercepted a Mercedes-Benz container truck along the Owerri – Onitsha expressway. The truck, marked ABN 418 YN, was found to contain 168 bags of skunk weighing 1,854 kilogrammes.
In Kano State, an ex-convict, Aminu Suleiman, along with two others, was arrested at Gadar Tamburawa, where 106 kg of cannabis was recovered. Aminu was previously convicted and had been involved in drug-related crimes.
In Edo State, NDLEA officers conducted four separate interdiction operations, resulting in the seizure of 1,381.3 kg of cannabis sativa. These operations occurred in various areas, including Ekpon community in Igueben LGA, Iguiye forest in Ovia North East LGA, Iruekpen in Ndokwa West, and Egwalor village in Onwude LGA, where several suspects were apprehended.
The NDLEA has been actively engaged in sensitization lectures as part of the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) programme. These educational sessions have taken place in various states, including Abia, Gombe, Akwa Ibom, and Ogun. Schools, communities, and workplaces have benefited from these programmes.
The Zone C Command of the NDLEA, in collaboration with the Kwara State Command, held a WADA sensitization town hall meeting with school principals from five local government areas in Kwara State. These initiatives emphasise the importance of collective efforts to address healthcare challenges related to drug abuse and trafficking in Nigeria.
The NDLEA remains dedicated to combating drug-related crimes and promoting public health and safety throughout the country.
Source: Vanguard
