The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intensified its nationwide crackdown on drug trafficking networks, leading to the interception of large consignments of opioids in Taraba State and the arrest of several suspected traffickers, including a 75-year-old man and four female drug dealers across multiple states.
The agency recorded one of its biggest seizures in recent months in Taraba State, where operatives intercepted a truck transporting building materials from Onitsha, Anambra State, to Jalingo. Acting on credible intelligence, officers searched the vehicle at Nukkai Timber Shade in Jalingo and discovered a massive cache of illicit drugs concealed beneath the cargo. A 22-year-old suspect, Buhari Abdullahi, was arrested in connection with the shipment.
Recovered from the truck were 320,840 capsules of tramadol, 600 ampoules of pentazocine injection, 4,500 tablets of rohypnol, and 299 bottles of codeine-based cough syrup.
In Ebonyi State, NDLEA operatives arrested 75-year-old Okebe Samuel at Okposi for allegedly dealing in skunk. Officers recovered 300 grams of the substance, which he was reportedly selling in retail quantities to youths in the community.
The agency also dismantled a drug distribution network in Imo State, where operatives raided a notorious drug enclave at Umulolo, Orlu. The operation led to the arrest of 32-year-old Chioma Okeke and the recovery of eight kilograms of skunk.
In Edo State, a series of raids across notorious drug hotspots in Benin City resulted in the arrest of four suspected traffickers, including three women. Among those arrested were Chioma Igba, 24, and Precious Ozomah, 22, who were found with skunk, Loud, and methamphetamine. Another suspect, Anita Abraham, 21, was arrested with quantities of Scottish Loud and regular Loud, while Henry Okey, 43, was apprehended with various psychotropic substances, including Colorado, Swinol, and methamphetamine.
Further operations in Kano State led to the arrest of 19-year-old Saifullahi Lawan at Madobi, where officers recovered 40 blocks of skunk weighing 38 kilograms.
In Gombe State, operatives arrested 28-year-old Ugwu Sabastine Ifebuchi near Dantiti Plaza in the Tumfure area of Gombe with 15,000 capsules of tramadol.
Beyond enforcement activities, NDLEA continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy campaign, conducting sensitisation programmes in schools across Oyo, Lagos, Anambra, and Kano states.
Commending the officers involved in the operations, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), praised personnel in Taraba, Ebonyi, Imo, Edo, Kano, and Gombe commands for their vigilance and commitment. He reaffirmed the agency’s determination to dismantle drug trafficking networks nationwide and ensure that offenders are brought to justice regardless of age, gender, or concealment tactics.
