NDLEA arrests 70-year-old, others in multi-state operations

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested several suspected drug traffickers and intercepted large quantities of illicit substances during operations conducted in several states.

The agency’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, announced the developments in a statement issued on Sunday.

In Oyo State, NDLEA personnel conducting surveillance on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway stopped a Toyota Sienna and arrested two occupants identified as 70-year-old Abdulfatai Oyelaran and 50-year-old Abdulrauf Ajadi.

A search of the vehicle allegedly uncovered 52,000 ampoules of pentazocine injection and 6,000 ampoules of tramadol injection.

In Kwara State, officers apprehended Abubakar Adamu, 50, and Bilyaminu Nuhu, 30, around the Kam Wire area of Ilorin. They were allegedly transporting 55.96 kilogrammes of skunk in a truck.

The operation also extended to Delta State, where Osaro Ikpoba, 43, and Samuel Godbless, 18, were intercepted along the Onitsha-Asaba Expressway.

According to the agency, officers recovered 124,100 tramadol pills, 786 bottles of codeine syrup, 2,598 Rohypnol tablets, 4,800 diazepam tablets, 470 pentazocine ampoules and 200 tramadol ampoules.

Another suspect, 50-year-old Emeka Tony, was arrested on the Kwale-Ozoro Expressway. NDLEA officers reportedly recovered 1,244 cartridges and ₦8 million from him.

In Plateau State, a Toyota Corolla stopped on the Riyom-Jos Road was found carrying 239,490 capsules of Tramaforce, a tramadol-based product. Kasum Sherif was arrested in connection with the seizure.

Kano State also recorded substantial drug seizures. Six suspects were arrested on the Zaria-Kano Road, where officers recovered 728,958 pills comprising tramadol, Rohypnol and other opioids.

The seizure also included 360 grammes of cocaine, 99.8 grammes of methamphetamine, 50 bottles of codeine syrup and 2.7 kilogrammes of Loud, a synthetic form of cannabis.

The agency conducted another operation in Zawaciki Gida Dubu, Kumbotso Local Government Area, on Friday. Two men, Mustapha Iliya, 30, and Abdulwahab Abdulrashid, 24, were arrested after officers allegedly discovered 171 blocks of skunk weighing 106.8 kilogrammes.

The NDLEA said the operations formed part of its continued efforts to disrupt the supply chains used to distribute illicit drugs across the country.