Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have dismantled a drug trafficking syndicate following intelligence-led operations that lasted three weeks. During the crackdown, cocaine consignments concealed in tins of palm kernel extract bound for the United Kingdom were intercepted, while a warehouse used for packaging the shipments was raided, leading to the arrest of the alleged kingpin.
Among those arrested is Aisha Adamu, 28, who operated between Nigeria’s North East and Chad. She was apprehended with 4.3 kilograms of Colorado, a potent synthetic strain of cannabis.
In a separate operation, the pastor in charge of the Celestial Church of Christ, Sea Beach parish, Sakpo Afolabi Hodonu, 45, and his wife, Success Hodonu, 35, were arrested with 11 kilograms of skunk hidden in compartments of their vehicle.
Another suspect, Sunday Samuel, 35, was intercepted while transporting 24.5 kilograms of skunk from Seme border to Lagos.
In Adamawa State, authorities intercepted a trailer carrying 48,000 pills of tramadol. In Osun State, Idiatu Oladejo, 60, was caught with 15 kilograms of skunk in Isale Osun, Osogbo. Meanwhile, in Ondo State, operatives recovered 351 kilograms of skunk and its seeds in Akure.
In Benue State, Aminu Usman Gembu, 66, was arrested in Aliade with 28,600 capsules of tramadol. In Edo State, a warehouse linked to Roland Owie was raided, leading to the seizure of 1,378 kilograms of skunk.
Elsewhere, a 40-year-old suspected drug dealer, Ayantola Omodunmomi, also known as Iya Elle, was arrested in the Eleta area of Ibadan with 45.6 kilograms of drugs recovered from her warehouse.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Mohamed Buba Marwa, commended officers across various commands for maintaining a balance between drug supply reduction and demand reduction efforts.
The agency stated that the operations highlight its growing intelligence capabilities and continued resolve to disrupt drug trafficking networks, regardless of the methods used or the fronts under which they operate.
