NDLEA arrests drug suspects across nine states, seizing skunk, cocaine, tramadol and codeine syrup in nationwide anti-drug operations

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested multiple drug suspects, including an ex-convict and a female online vendor, during coordinated raids across Jigawa, Lagos, Ogun, Edo, Delta, Oyo, FCT, Enugu, and Kwara states.

Also read: NDLEA Arrests Suspected Cocaine Trafficker in Lagos, Seizes N5bn Worth of Drugs

The Director of Media and Advocacy, Mr. Femi Babafemi, disclosed the arrests in a statement on Sunday, highlighting the significant drug seizures made during the operations.

In Edo State, operatives raided the Arokpa forest, Uzebba town, Owan West LGA, on Tuesday, January 13, arresting a drug lord and seizing 320kg of skunk and seeds.

In the FCT, a 44-year-old woman was apprehended on Friday, January 16, in Kaura District after being tracked for selling illicit substances online. Officers recovered 2.2kg of skunk and litres of cannabis oil produced in her home.

Another Abuja resident was arrested on the same day with 148.3 grams of cocaine and skunk at his home in Abacha Estate.

Large-scale seizures were also recorded in Lagos and Enugu. Officers recovered 118.1kg of skunk from two suspects in Fadeyi, Mushin, Lagos, and 116kg from a warehouse in New Market, Enugu, both on January 16.

Meanwhile, in Delta State, two suspects were arrested along the Onitsha-Asaba expressway on January 15 with 410,800 tramadol pills.

Other substances seized included 84.2 litres of codeine syrup, 82,250 diazepam tablets, 900 swinol tablets, and 65 Molly pills.

In Oyo State, a suspect was arrested on January 15 at Moniya, Ibadan, with 321 litres of skuchies and 2.5kg of Colorado, a synthetic cannabis strain.

Another raid in Odo-Ona, Ibadan, the same day, led to the seizure of 5.4kg of Scottish Loud, 1.696kg of skunk, and 2.5kg of Colorado, totalling 9.696kg.

Additionally, 52,430 tramadol and bromazepam pills were recovered on January 17 in Agbeni from a store belonging to Orji Edwin, who remains at large.

In Kwara State, NDLEA operatives seized 387.40kg of skunk from 42 bags during a raid on January 13 at a residential building in Gamo, Ilorin. On January 16, a joint inspection at Apapa Port, Lagos, uncovered 157,519 bottles of codeine syrup.

In Jigawa State, an ex-convict and his accomplice were arrested on January 17 in Ringim with skunk and Exol-5 pills after a violent confrontation with NDLEA officers.

Babafemi noted that the suspects often attempted to evade arrest, with the Jigawa ex-convict reportedly climbing rooftops and wielding a machete, injuring one officer.

Alongside enforcement activities, the NDLEA continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaigns nationwide, engaging students, worshippers, and community members.

Outreach included lectures at Umar Bin Khathab Islamiyyah School in Kano, Tumbey College in Lagos, Anglican Secondary School in Benue, Katsina emirate members, and residents of Maitumbi community in Niger State.

Also read: NDLEA Cracks Lagos Drug Syndicate, Multiple Arrests

The NDLEA emphasised that public cooperation remains vital in combating drug abuse and maintaining safety across Nigeria.