The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dealt a major blow to drug cartels and terror-linked suppliers across the country, arresting notorious drug kingpins, intercepting illicit consignments bound for insurgents, and destroying over 24,000 kilograms of cannabis (skunk) in Edo State forests.
Two suspected barons — Victor Nwosa (64) and Felix Chika Obiegbu (49) — were apprehended in Lagos following intelligence-led raids by the NDLEA’s Special Operations Unit (SOU). Operatives uncovered cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine stashed in their homes.
According to the agency, Nwosa was arrested in Okota with 4.33kg of heroin and 448g of cocaine, while Obiegbu was picked up in Surulere with 2.9kg of methamphetamine.
In the North-East, NDLEA intercepted drug supplies allegedly meant for bandits and insurgents. In Borno State, Baba Kaka Ibrahim (26) was arrested with 39,380 pills of tramadol and exol-5 concealed inside a Mercedes GLK engine compartment. In Yobe, Halima Adamu was caught with 1.4kg of Colorado in her bag, leading to the arrest of an accomplice, Habiba Muhammad, in Maiduguri.
Similar operations in Kaduna, Kano, Bayelsa, Lagos, Abuja, Ekiti, and Gombe produced more arrests and seizures ranging from cannabis to opioids.
Edo State witnessed the largest haul, where operatives destroyed 12,115.6kg of cannabis in Uromi forest and another 12,031.2kg in Ogu forest. This was in addition to the seizure of over 1,000kg of cannabis hidden in a truckload of charcoal.
NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), praised the officers for their relentless drive.
“The success of the various operations across the country underscores our commitment to safeguarding Nigeria from illicit substances that threaten public health and national security. Every gram of these dangerous drugs we seize reinforces our determination to protect our youths, disrupt criminal networks, and strengthen national security,” Marwa declared.
With the sweeping arrests, seizures, and destruction of illicit substances, the NDLEA reaffirmed its zero-tolerance stance against drug syndicates and terror-linked traffickers nationwide.