In recent time, the consumers and peddlers of various drugs in Nigeria have taken their trade to another height with stakeholders wondering if the alarming rate will not, one day, crumble the society. But in this report, Raheem Akingbolu and Arome Attah, who have been following the trend, contend that since the assumption of office of Brigadier General Buba Marwa as the Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the abnormal situation is being tackled head-on.
Social Club Street, off Progress Road, Abule Egba, Lagos is a beehive of activities for fun-seekers. Every day, young men and women besiege the area after a hectic working day to socialize. Expectedly, the street also houses many hotels and guest houses for those who want to have a nap or temporary accommodation. As a complement to the arrays of social activities in the area, young ladies in different sizes also hang around to hook up with men.
On this Tuesday morning, our reporter, who was also a regular caller in the area, had woken up from one of the hotels and as he moved towards his car, he saw Bukola (not real name) seated gently with other men and women at the reception. Before then, Bukola related to the reporter like an uncle while he took her like a younger sister.
“Good morning Bukola” he greeted the young lady, expecting a warm response. Unfortunately for him, the girl neither replied nor showed any sign that she was aware his foster brother was greeting her. The reporter instantly developed cold feet, imagining what would be going on in the minds of other onlookers. He reluctantly moved towards his car and drove off. He didn’t know what could have happened but he made up his mind to always mind his business whenever he came to the place.
A few days later, he resurfaced at the hotel and the same lady who ignored him the previous week rushed towards him and knelt down as usual to greet him. In anger, the reporter retorted and asked her never to greet him again.
“But uncle why?” the girl asked inquisitively. By then the Hotel Manager and other guests had surrounded them to know what actually went wrong. It was then our reporter opened up and explained what transpired a week before then. At this point, everybody, including the young lady busted into laughter because they knew what the Journalist didn’t know.
“Sir, you just have to forgive me because I was obviously not myself the day you refer to. In fact, I cannot even recollect if I saw you recently,” she stated calmly.
The manager of the hotel, who witnessed the two scenarios, took over the conversation from the lady and explained that the young lady was already high on hard drugs that morning and was not aware of anything around her. Out of curiosity, the reporter called the lady aside and interrogated her to know why she consumes drugs. It was then Bukola confessed that she normally took drugs in order to withstand the insult and ugliness of hanging out with strange men.
Like Bukola, there are millions of young men and women today on the streets who resort to the drug to carry out illicit practices like prostitution, hooliganism, robbery, cultism and other vices. Perhaps because of the harsh economy in the country, unsuspected members of the public have also resorted to drugs as a temporary measure to overcome depression and their unfortunate situations.
Again, more than before, the method of consumption and dealers of drugs have also changed drastically. As found out by our reporters, the majority of Nigerian adolescents ignorantly depend on one form of drug or the other for their various daily activities–social, educational, political, moral etc. Such drugs include: Tobacco, Indian hemp, cocaine, morphine, Heroin, Alcohol, ephedrine, Madras, Caffeine, Glue, Barbiturates, and Amphetamines
Social Club Street, off Progress Road, Abule Egba, Lagos is a beehive of activities for fun-seekers. Every day, young men and women besiege the area after a hectic working day to socialize. Expectedly, the street also houses many hotels and guest houses for those who want to have a nap or temporary accommodation. As a complement to the arrays of social activities in the area, young ladies in different sizes also hang around to hook up with men.
On this Tuesday morning, our reporter, who was also a regular caller in the area, had woken up from one of the hotels and as he moved towards his car, he saw Bukola (not real name) seated gently with other men and women at the reception. Before then, Bukola related to the reporter like an uncle while he took her like a younger sister.
“Good morning Bukola” he greeted the young lady, expecting a warm response. Unfortunately for him, the girl neither replied nor showed any sign that she was aware his foster brother was greeting her. The reporter instantly developed cold feet, imagining what would be going on in the minds of other onlookers. He reluctantly moved towards his car and drove off. He didn’t know what could have happened but he made up his mind to always mind his business whenever he came to the place.
A few days later, he resurfaced at the hotel and the same lady who ignored him the previous week rushed towards him and knelt down as usual to greet him. In anger, the reporter retorted and asked her never to greet him again.
“But uncle why?” the girl asked inquisitively. By then the Hotel Manager and other guests had surrounded them to know what actually went wrong. It was then our reporter opened up and explained what transpired a week before then. At this point, everybody, including the young lady busted into laughter because they knew what the Journalist didn’t know.
“Sir, you just have to forgive me because I was obviously not myself the day you refer to. In fact, I cannot even recollect if I saw you recently,” she stated calmly.
The manager of the hotel, who witnessed the two scenarios, took over the conversation from the lady and explained that the young lady was already high on hard drugs that morning and was not aware of anything around her. Out of curiosity, the reporter called the lady aside and interrogated her to know why she consumes drugs. It was then Bukola confessed that she normally took drugs in order to withstand the insult and ugliness of hanging out with strange men.
Like Bukola, there are millions of young men and women today on the streets who resort to the drug to carry out illicit practices like prostitution, hooliganism, robbery, cultism and other vices. Perhaps because of the harsh economy in the country, unsuspected members of the public have also resorted to drugs as a temporary measure to overcome depression and their unfortunate situations.
Again, more than before, the method of consumption and dealers of drugs have also changed drastically. As found out by our reporters, the majority of Nigerian adolescents ignorantly depend on one form of drug or the other for their various daily activities–social, educational, political, moral etc. Such drugs include: Tobacco, Indian hemp, cocaine, morphine, Heroin, Alcohol, ephedrine, Madras, Caffeine, Glue, Barbiturates, and Amphetamines
But like a light at the end of the tunnel, President Muhammadu Buhari had early this year announced a former military administrator of Lagos State, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa is the chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). Considering the quality of service and the pragmatic approach Marwa gave to governance while in Lagos, not a few members of the public expected a change in drug control. Months later, the retired military officer has not only proved that he could do the work but has also become a turn in the flesh of both the consumers and peddlers of drugs. Through his dynamic operation, strange tricks and method of consumption have been exposed. He has also been able to let Nigerians know that to arrest the situation; the searchlight must be beamed at various quarters, with no respect for sex or age.
For instance, the operatives of the agency have recently arrested a 300-level university student, Rhoda Agboje and her boyfriend, Ifeanyi Nwankwo, both of who specialise in producing and selling drug cookies to school children and other unsuspecting members of the public in Abuja.According to NDLEA Director of media, Femi Babafemi, narcotics agents with the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command of the NDLEA had also launched a manhunt for another member of the syndicate involved in producing the cookies with Arizona, a highly psychoactive variant of cannabis; alcohol and rohypnol, among other ingredients.
“Their lid was blown open following the arrest of Rhoda Agboje with four pieces of the drug cookies on Sunday, April 18, 2021. She was arrested at the NNPC Cooperative Estate, opposite Gaduwa Estate in Abuja, based on a complaint that she gave an unsuspecting young girl the cookies to eat. After eating the drug cookies, the girl lost her mind and could not sleep, making incoherent utterances due to the effects of the cookies,” Babafemi said.
For instance, the operatives of the agency have recently arrested a 300-level university student, Rhoda Agboje and her boyfriend, Ifeanyi Nwankwo, both of who specialise in producing and selling drug cookies to school children and other unsuspecting members of the public in Abuja.According to NDLEA Director of media, Femi Babafemi, narcotics agents with the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command of the NDLEA had also launched a manhunt for another member of the syndicate involved in producing the cookies with Arizona, a highly psychoactive variant of cannabis; alcohol and rohypnol, among other ingredients.“Their lid was blown open following the arrest of Rhoda Agboje with four pieces of the drug cookies on Sunday, April 18, 2021. She was arrested at the NNPC Cooperative Estate, opposite Gaduwa Estate in Abuja, based on a complaint that she gave an unsuspecting young girl the cookies to eat. After eating the drug cookies, the girl lost her mind and could not sleep, making incoherent utterances due to the effects of the cookies,” Babafemi said.
Under interrogation, the prime suspect, Rhoda, confessed she prepared the cookies with a friend and sold each pack of three pieces at N1,500. A follow-up operation in her boyfriend’s house led to the recovery of over 200 pieces of the drug cookies. According to the commander, FCT Command of the NDLEA, Mohammed Malami Sokoto, “The boyfriend, Ifeanyi Nwankwo, and all the equipment used for the production of the cookies were brought to the office for further investigation.“The suspect confirmed that she sells at parties and to unsuspecting members of the public, including school children that are the most vulnerable. The suspect also supplies some supermarkets and clubs in the FCT.”
While commending the officers and men of the FCT command for unravelling the syndicate, Marwa said what the syndicate was doing was not only criminal but also unconscionable by deliberately luring school children into drugs under the cover of selling to them biscuits or cookies.“I wish to draw the attention of parents to this new devious strategy to get children addicted to drug cookies and to urge them to remain vigilant while monitoring what their wards bring home from school or consume as snacks,” Marwa stated.If that of the young people was considered normal in this age, that of an 80-year-old woman and her granddaughter with others, who were arrested for a similar offence was shocking. The woman and her trade partners were arrested in Ondo State with 192kg cocaine, heroin and skuchies. At the same time, a fake police officer was nabbed with 76kg skunk in Adamawa.
In the case of the 80-year-old woman, Mrs. Mary Adebayo, her 19-year-old granddaughter, Funmilola Adebayo and two other ladies, were arrested for selling assorted illicit drugs like cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, tramadol, swinol and skuchies.
Following intelligence-based raids and follow up operations on their locations early this month, over 192kilogrammes of cocaine and other psychoactive substances were recovered from them.As a result of the bust, Marwa thus directed the acting Commander, Ondo state command of the Agency, Callys Alumona to launch a manhunt for other members of the drug cartel now on the run.
The grandma and her granddaughter were arrested at 6:30am on this particular Sunday at Ayeyemi Street, Akure south local government area.
On the same day, at about 1:30pm, a raid carried out at Rate Hotel, Care Street, in Akure South LGA led to the arrest of 25-year-old Tessy Mathew from whom 33kilogrammes of skuchies were recovered. Following her preliminary interrogation, a follow-up operation was immediately carried out, leading to the arrest of 25-year-old Blessing Adesida in Oshinle area of Akure South LGA.
In a related development, operatives of the Adamawa Command of the NDLEA have arrested a 58-year-old Victor Chinedu Anwanya, and 47-year-old Femi Abiodun, with 80 blocks of compressed cannabis sativa weighing 76kilogrammes, concealed in three white sacks tucked in the booth of a Toyota Avalon car with registration number: LAGOS DC 997 FST.
According to the state Commander of NDLEA, Idris Bello, the suspects were arrested on Monday 3rd May 2021 at about 6 am in Mayo Belwa town, Mayo Belwa LGA, Adamawa State. “They took off from Auchi in Edo State. Also recovered from them was a fake Police Warrant Card bearing the name of Chinedu Anwanya with the rank of a DSP”, the Commander of Narcotics stated.
In Abuja, the agency also recently busted an online drug trafficking cartel that sells drugged cookies, cakes, brownies and all sorts of illicit substances to residents of Abuja and beyond, using cyberspace as its platform.
The grandma and her granddaughter were arrested at 6:30am on this particular Sunday at Ayeyemi Street, Akure south local government area.
On the same day, at about 1:30pm, a raid carried out at Rate Hotel, Care Street, in Akure South LGA led to the arrest of 25-year-old Tessy Mathew from whom 33kilogrammes of skuchies were recovered. Following her preliminary interrogation, a follow-up operation was immediately carried out, leading to the arrest of 25-year-old Blessing Adesida in Oshinle area of Akure South LGA.
In a related development, operatives of the Adamawa Command of the NDLEA have arrested a 58-year-old Victor Chinedu Anwanya, and 47-year-old Femi Abiodun, with 80 blocks of compressed cannabis sativa weighing 76kilogrammes, concealed in three white sacks tucked in the booth of a Toyota Avalon car with registration number: LAGOS DC 997 FST.
According to the state Commander of NDLEA, Idris Bello, the suspects were arrested on Monday 3rd May 2021 at about 6 am in Mayo Belwa town, Mayo Belwa LGA, Adamawa State. “They took off from Auchi in Edo State. Also recovered from them was a fake Police Warrant Card bearing the name of Chinedu Anwanya with the rank of a DSP”, the Commander of Narcotics stated.
In Abuja, the agency also recently busted an online drug trafficking cartel that sells drugged cookies, cakes, brownies and all sorts of illicit substances to residents of Abuja and beyond, using cyberspace as its platform.
As a result, five members of the organised drug criminal group were arrested during sting operations carried out between Friday 7th May and Saturday 8th May 2021 by officers of the FCT Command of the Agency during which different brands of illicit drugs were recovered from them. The nabbed drug dealers include Queen Nvene, Collins Ozoemena, Samson Peter, Chika Nvene, and Habila Musa. The group specialises in clandestine production of drug-based cookies, brownies and other edibles; markets and sells the same online, through their Twitter and Instagram handles. They also market and sell all types of marijuana; Arizona, Colorado and Loud, among other illicit drugs, online.While Queen Nvene, a graduate of Business Administration, produces drug cookies and brownies and sells same on Instagram, Collins Ozoemena sells all types of illicit drugs, especially Loud and skunk online. Samson Peter on the other hand, is the manager of SK express courier company, who manages motorcycles and dispatch riders to deliver illicit drugs from Collins and drugged edibles (cookies, cakes and brownies) from Queen and Chika, both sisters. Members of the cartel operate from different locations within the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, but operate as a network.Their arrest followed online orders of drug-based edibles by undercover agents. Supplies of brownies and cookies were delivered and received from different SK Express dispatch riders at various times by narcotic operatives before the final sting operation.
According to the Commander, FCT Command of the Agency, Mohammed Malami Sokoto, follow up raids of their various locations in Gudu, Kubwa, Lokogoma, Apo and Damangazo all in Abuja, led to the seizure of some illicit substances.
Seized from Queen include; 55 pieces of drugged cookies and brownies; 1.3 kilogrammes of skunk used as an ingredient for making cookies and brownies, while 0.9 grammes of ecstasy, popularly called molley, 300 grammes of skunk, and 200 grammes of Loud were recovered from Collins. Also, 300 grammes of skunk were seized from Chika.
Other items recovered from the syndicate include a dispatch motorcycle, various equipment for producing cookies and brownies, 10 telephone handsets and two laptops used for online drug trafficking transactions.Under interrogation, the suspects confessed to have a large platform of customers who order drugs and drug-based cookies, brownies and edibles, on daily basis for parties and ceremonies, in and outside Abuja. They said they use the manager of SK Express Courier Company to deliver their products through motorcycle riders and power bikers popularly called droppers.
They further claimed they have been in the business for over three years.
Again in Ondo, operatives of the state Command of the agency intercepted and seized 60kilogrammes of cannabis following intelligence. In the process, 29-year-old Emmanuel Utaji was arrested at the location on Matado street, Akure, Akure South local government area. Acting Commander of the Agency in the state, Callys Alumona disclosed that the location was raided at about 9:45 pm and the suspect arrested when the consignment was to be evacuated and taken outside the state.
In the same vein, a drug dealer and suspected armed robber, Sanusi Abdullahi was arrested by officers of the Rivers State Command at Iroko village, where 15.8 kilogrammes of skunk and 16 sim cards were recovered from him. The state Commander, Rachael Shelleng, stated that further investigation would unravel other criminal activities perpetrated by the suspect.
Also disturbing is the discovery of some eateries in Jos, the Plateau state capital by the Agency that freshly baked cakes were being made with cannabis Sativa. This was in addition to 48.726kilogrammes of assorted psychotropic substances.
Some of the drug joints raided include KNL Lounge located along Lamingo road and another branch along Mining Quarters, Rantya Low-Cost estate, as well as Tuscany Lounge on Azaki Ave, all within Jos metropolis.
They further claimed they have been in the business for over three years.
Again in Ondo, operatives of the state Command of the agency intercepted and seized 60kilogrammes of cannabis following intelligence. In the process, 29-year-old Emmanuel Utaji was arrested at the location on Matado street, Akure, Akure South local government area. Acting Commander of the Agency in the state, Callys Alumona disclosed that the location was raided at about 9:45 pm and the suspect arrested when the consignment was to be evacuated and taken outside the state.
In the same vein, a drug dealer and suspected armed robber, Sanusi Abdullahi was arrested by officers of the Rivers State Command at Iroko village, where 15.8 kilogrammes of skunk and 16 sim cards were recovered from him. The state Commander, Rachael Shelleng, stated that further investigation would unravel other criminal activities perpetrated by the suspect.
Also disturbing is the discovery of some eateries in Jos, the Plateau state capital by the Agency that freshly baked cakes were being made with cannabis Sativa. This was in addition to 48.726kilogrammes of assorted psychotropic substances.
Some of the drug joints raided include KNL Lounge located along Lamingo road and another branch along Mining Quarters, Rantya Low-Cost estate, as well as Tuscany Lounge on Azaki Ave, all within Jos metropolis.
Besides the drugged cakes called brownie recovered from the three eateries, psychotropic substances also seized from there include Barcadin Codeine 14kg; Flunitrazapem 355.5grammes; Tramadol 370.1 grammes; Exol-5, 30kg; Diazepam 2.5kg and Pentazocine 1.5 kg, totalling 48.726kg. The Plateau Commander, Ibrahim Braji disclosed that five persons have so far been arrested in connection to the seized drugs.
In the same vein, Enugu state Command of the Agency raided the Nsukka axis of the state capital where a 28-year-old lady, Oodo Ndidiamaka was arrested with 80.23grammes of cocaine and 3.81grammes of methamphetamine. The state Commander of NDLEA, Abdul Abdullahi said the Command remains committed to unravelling other members of the drug cartel in the state.
Meanwhile, operatives of the Niger state Command of the Agency have arrested a 24-year-old 400-level student of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Abel Godwin Idio for selling two strong variants of cannabis, Arizona and loud, concealed in textbooks. He was arrested in Gidan Kwano within the vicinity of the university.
According to the state Commander of the Agency, Haruna Kwetishe, “Abel uses the inner pages of his textbooks to conceal the drugs within the campus to sell.” While stating that Abel was arrested on Friday 30th April 2021, he said two other traffickers; Yahaya Joshua and Yahaya Audu, were arrested the previous day along Mokwa-Jebba road with 32kilogrammes of cannabis Sativa.
Aside from the local peddlers, the agency has also intensified its effort to control international dealers of the drug through the strengthening of its operations at various international airports. For instance, a 23-year-old drug trafficker, Okoguale Douglas recently excreted 59 wraps of heroin weighing 781.2 grammes following his arrest at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, while trying to board a Milan, Italy bound flight.
Douglas, who hails from Uromi in Esan North-East Local Government area of Edo state, was arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, during an outward clearance of Ethiopian airline flight number 910 at the boarding gate of the airport en route Abuja-Addis Ababa- Milan (Italy) after being scanned, which proved positive for ingestion.
In the same vein, Enugu state Command of the Agency raided the Nsukka axis of the state capital where a 28-year-old lady, Oodo Ndidiamaka was arrested with 80.23grammes of cocaine and 3.81grammes of methamphetamine. The state Commander of NDLEA, Abdul Abdullahi said the Command remains committed to unravelling other members of the drug cartel in the state.
Meanwhile, operatives of the Niger state Command of the Agency have arrested a 24-year-old 400-level student of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Abel Godwin Idio for selling two strong variants of cannabis, Arizona and loud, concealed in textbooks. He was arrested in Gidan Kwano within the vicinity of the university.
According to the state Commander of the Agency, Haruna Kwetishe, “Abel uses the inner pages of his textbooks to conceal the drugs within the campus to sell.” While stating that Abel was arrested on Friday 30th April 2021, he said two other traffickers; Yahaya Joshua and Yahaya Audu, were arrested the previous day along Mokwa-Jebba road with 32kilogrammes of cannabis Sativa.
Aside from the local peddlers, the agency has also intensified its effort to control international dealers of the drug through the strengthening of its operations at various international airports. For instance, a 23-year-old drug trafficker, Okoguale Douglas recently excreted 59 wraps of heroin weighing 781.2 grammes following his arrest at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, while trying to board a Milan, Italy bound flight.
Douglas, who hails from Uromi in Esan North-East Local Government area of Edo state, was arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, during an outward clearance of Ethiopian airline flight number 910 at the boarding gate of the airport en route Abuja-Addis Ababa- Milan (Italy) after being scanned, which proved positive for ingestion.
Under interrogation, he claimed he has been residing in Italy since 2011 after entering the country via Libya with one of his uncles. He said he works as a restaurant attendant in Italy where he earns 900 Euro per month and also works as a painter on his free days and gets about 400 Euro upon completion of any work. He also confessed he was promised 2000 Euro if he successfully delivers the drug to Milan, Italy.
He said he came to Nigeria on April 4, 2021, for the burial of his late father in Esan, Edo state and after spending so much during the burial, he ran out of money, a situation that made him ask for financial support from one of his Nigerian friends resident in Italy.
He further claimed that his friend then told him he would send him money on the ground that he will collect a consignment for him from one other friend of his in Nigeria. To facilitate that, he promised to send him a number to call.
He said contrary to the initial arrangement, he claimed he was called by a man on Thursday, April 29, 2021, and asked him to come down to Abuja where he was picked by two other unknown men from Utako area and lodged in a hotel which he claimed he doesn’t know the address.
The suspect also claimed that the two men brought the wrapped drug to him in a hotel on Friday night after which he swallowed the 59 pellets early on Saturday, May 1st, 2021 and was promised 2000 Euro on successful delivery to Milan, Italy.
He said he came to Nigeria on April 4, 2021, for the burial of his late father in Esan, Edo state and after spending so much during the burial, he ran out of money, a situation that made him ask for financial support from one of his Nigerian friends resident in Italy.
He further claimed that his friend then told him he would send him money on the ground that he will collect a consignment for him from one other friend of his in Nigeria. To facilitate that, he promised to send him a number to call.
He said contrary to the initial arrangement, he claimed he was called by a man on Thursday, April 29, 2021, and asked him to come down to Abuja where he was picked by two other unknown men from Utako area and lodged in a hotel which he claimed he doesn’t know the address.
The suspect also claimed that the two men brought the wrapped drug to him in a hotel on Friday night after which he swallowed the 59 pellets early on Saturday, May 1st, 2021 and was promised 2000 Euro on successful delivery to Milan, Italy.
Commander, NAIA Command of the Agency, Kabir Sani Tsakuwa said efforts are ongoing to unravel other suspects connected to the crime. The latest achievement of the agency was the arrest of a former Vice Chairman of Lagos Island East Local Council Development Area, LCDA, Mr Asekun Kehinde Sakiru. Asekuun is alleged to have been on the wanted list of the agency. He is alleged to have made his way to the agency’s blacklist following the recent arrest of some traffickers and drug seizures linked to him.According to Babafemi, “the long arm of the law caught up with the wanted baron at about 9.40 pm last Friday while trying to board a Virgin Atlantic airline flight to London, the United Kingdom at the Lagos airport. At the point of Asekun’s arrest, he was caught with a kilogramme of cocaine concealed in five pairs of palm slippers packed inside his suitcase.”
Given these flurry of activities from the NDLEA occasioned by the appointment of Brig. Gen Buba Marwa, the death of drug trafficking and peddlers may not be now, but the impunity with which they carry out their activities have been curtailed.