Unprecedented Raids Yield Massive Drug Seizures
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has been making headlines with its aggressive anti-drug operations across Nigeria, leading to the arrests of several high-profile individuals including a monarch and a corps member. These actions highlight the agency’s intensified efforts to combat drug trafficking and abuse within the nation.
Monarch and Corps Member Among Those Detained
In a surprising development in Osun State, the head of Akarabata community in Ile-Ife, Ba’ale Ige Babatunde, aged 50, was apprehended on July 5 for possessing fresh cannabis plants weighing 5kg. Consequently, this arrest underscores the widespread challenge of drug cultivation in rural areas.
Simultaneously, operatives from the NDLEA made a significant arrest in Kano State, detaining Yusuf Abdulrahman, a 25-year-old youth corps member, with 1.250kg of Loud—a potent strain of cannabis—at the Corpers Lodge in the Sumaila area.
Major Cocaine Network Dismantled in Lagos
Further escalating its crackdown, the NDLEA raided a major cocaine syndicate in Lagos, led by a couple identified as Agbakoba John Mmadu and Agbakoba Ijeoma Chinwe, along with their associate Okoye Ifeoma Maryjane. The operation, executed on July 3, resulted in the seizure of 10.1 kg of cocaine, valued at over N2.1 billion. This raid was the culmination of months of surveillance and intelligence gathering, targeting a network notorious for its role in the international drug trade.
Continuous Efforts Across the Country
Other notable operations include the seizure of 350 grams of cocaine in Benue State and the destruction of a vast 17-hectare cannabis farm in Ondo State. The NDLEA also made significant arrests in Abuja, where two individuals were caught transporting large quantities of opioids, highlighting the persistent issue of prescription drug abuse.
NDLEA’s Commitment to Combating Drug Trafficking
Moreover, these operations are part of the NDLEA’s ongoing commitment to eradicating drug trafficking and abuse in Nigeria. Consequently, the agency continues to work closely with local communities and international partners to address the complex challenges posed by the global drug trade.
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