Nigeria’s NDLEA Arrests Couple Hiding Skunk In Kitchen, Uncovers Large Drug Network In Nationwide Raids

It added that large quantities were recovered from the trucks, stating, “One of the trucks was found to contain 3,900 kilograms of skunk, while the second had 3,345 kilograms, bringing the total weight to 7,245 kilograms.”

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a couple in Niger State and carried out multiple seizures of illicit drugs in coordinated operations across several states and the Federal Capital Territory.

The states include Lagos, Borno, Ogun, Imo, Abia and Edo.

The agency in a statement said the operations were part of ongoing intelligence-led interdiction efforts targeting drug trafficking networks across the country.

In Niger State, NDLEA operatives arrested a couple during a search of their home in Lapai Local Government Area, Femi Babafemi, the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, in a statement on Sunday.

“In Niger state, NDLEA operatives on Thursday 9th April arrested a couple: Abdullahi Umar, 32, and his wife Adama Umar, 25, during a search of their Takuti village, Lapai LGA home where 118 kilograms of skunk were recovered from their kitchen,” the statement said.

In Lagos State, operatives intercepted a luxury bus along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway heading to Port Harcourt.

The agency said, “A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of 15 kilograms of Scottish Loud, a strong strain of cannabis, concealed in one of the compartments of the bus.”

Following the interception, arrests were made in connection with the seizure.

“Two suspects: Kingsley Nsofor and Opara Ifeanyi were promptly arrested,” NDLEA said.

In another operation in Lagos, NDLEA operatives intercepted a truck in Mushin conveying goods to Onitsha.

The agency stated that a “search of the vehicle led to the seizure of 26,800 bottles of codeine-based syrup and the subsequent arrest of two suspects: Adesunloye Dada and Chibuzor Chime.”

In Borno State, operatives intercepted a truck carrying vehicle spare parts along the Damaturu–Maiduguri Road.

“No fewer than 42,290 tablets of Rohypnol; 82,700 mils of codeine syrup and 10,000 mils of Pentazocine injection were recovered from a trailer loaded with vehicle spare parts coming from Nnewi, Anambra state,” the agency said.

The owner of the consignment Eleje Ibeabuchi, 43, was arrested in a follow-up operation,” NDLEA said.

In Ogun State, operatives arrested three suspects during a raid at Sango Under Bridge, Sango Ota.

The agency said, “Three suspects, namely: Azeez Sanni, Olayinka Oke and Adekunle Adeyemi were arrested with 34 kilograms of skunk when NDLEA operatives raided Sango Under bridge, Sango Ota, Ogun state on Tuesday 7th April.”

In Imo State, operatives intercepted a female suspect along the Onitsha–Owerri Road.

The agency stated that “56.2kg of same substance was recovered from a female suspect, Ayoka Akinwale, 26, along Onitsha- Owerri Road, Owerri, Imo state on Saturday, 11th April.”

In the Federal Capital Territory, NDLEA operatives raided Tora Bora drug joint in Abuja, arresting eight suspects, identified as Abubakar Muhammad, Ali Isiaka, Obed Moses, Ibrahim Musa, Attahiru Audu, Kabiru Buhari, Oloruntoba Samuel, and Ellah Gyandi.

“A combined total of 11.516 kilograms of skunk were seized from the suspects,” it said.

In Edo State, operatives intercepted two trucks along Warrake Road, Auchi.

“In Edo state, NDLEA operatives working on actionable intelligence on Saturday 11th April intercepted two long trucks marked LUY 172 XC and LUY 281 XC with bags of processed skunk concealed among cartons of beer along Warrake road, Auchi,” it said.