The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has recorded a series of major breakthroughs in its ongoing crackdown on drug trafficking networks across the country, uncovering consignments of hard drugs concealed in imported water purifier machines and intercepting over 1.2 tonnes of cannabis in separate operations.
The anti-narcotics agency disclosed that operatives attached to its Directorate of Operations and General Investigation (DOGI) uncovered consignments of high-potency illicit drugs hidden inside water purifier machines shipped from the Netherlands to Lagos.
According to the agency, the drugs were intercepted at a courier company in Lagos on May 26 following a detailed examination of the imported equipment. Recovered during the operation were three kilograms of ketamine and 199 grams of MDMA, commonly known as Ecstasy, which had been carefully concealed within the machines in an apparent attempt to evade detection.
The latest seizure is part of intensified efforts by the NDLEA to dismantle international drug trafficking routes and prevent the influx of dangerous narcotics into Nigeria.
In Kaduna State, operatives recorded another significant success with the arrest of a couple, Musa Sunday and Mercy Sunday, alongside a third suspect, Salomi Ezekiel, 38. The arrests followed the discovery of 100 jumbo bags of skunk, a potent strain of cannabis, at a residence in the Gonin Gora area of the state.
The recovered drugs weighed a total of 1,246 kilograms, making it one of the largest cannabis seizures recorded by the command in recent months.
On the same day, NDLEA officers conducting patrol operations along the Abuja-Kaduna Highway near Jere intercepted a 30-year-old suspect identified as Sunusi Musa. A search led to the recovery of 380 rounds of military-grade 7.62mm ammunition reportedly being transported to Katsina State.
The agency said the suspect and the recovered ammunition were subsequently handed over to the appropriate security agency for further investigation and prosecution.
In Niger State, operatives acting on intelligence raided a warehouse located in Gidan Kukah, Bosso Local Government Area, where they recovered 457 kilograms of skunk. The operation, conducted on May 27, led to the arrest of 46-year-old Godwin Zakka at his residence in Gbeganu, Minna, in connection with the seizure.
The NDLEA said the operation was based on credible intelligence gathered on the activities of suspected drug traffickers operating within the area.
Meanwhile, in Enugu State, operatives on patrol along the Onitsha-Enugu Expressway intercepted a commercial vehicle travelling to Taraba State. A search of the vehicle uncovered a large cache of controlled pharmaceutical substances.
Recovered from the bus were 22,000 pills of tramadol, 100 ampoules of pentazocine and 200 grams of bromazepam. The agency confirmed the arrest of a suspect, James Maigari Wisdom, in connection with the illicit consignment.
Beyond enforcement operations, the NDLEA said its nationwide War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign continued across schools, communities, workplaces and religious institutions as part of efforts to curb drug abuse through public education and awareness.
During the past week, WADA sensitisation programmes were conducted at Government Secondary School, Adiabo, in Cross River State; St Patrick’s Memorial College, Wukari, in Taraba State; Roman Catholic Mission Nursery and Primary School, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos State; and Kings Secondary School, Amawbia, in Anambra State, among other locations.
Commenting on the operations, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended officers and personnel of the Kaduna, Niger and Enugu Commands, as well as operatives of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation, for their efforts in disrupting drug supply chains across the country.
Marwa also praised the commands for maintaining a balance between enforcement actions and drug abuse prevention initiatives through the WADA campaign. He urged officers nationwide to sustain the momentum and remain committed to the agency’s mandate of reducing both the supply and demand for illicit drugs.
