The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted more than 7.6 million pills of tramadol and over 76,273.4 kilograms of various strains of cannabis, including Colorado, Loud, and Skunk, in a series of coordinated, intelligence-driven operations across multiple states.
Several suspects linked to the drug trafficking networks behind the consignments were also arrested.
According to a statement issued on Sunday by NDLEA spokesman Femi Babafemi, a major breakthrough occurred on December 6 when operatives raided a warehouse at Oko Market, Asaba, Delta State, recovering 3,874,000 tramadol pills (225mg and 100mg) and 252.2 litres of codeine syrup.
Similarly, on December 3, NDLEA officers intercepted 1.2 million tablets of tramadol 225mg from a vehicle driven by Kelechi Nwakocha, 35, along the Onitsha–Owerri Road in Imo State. The drugs were allegedly loaded in Aba, Abia State, and were en route to Onitsha.
In Adamawa State, operatives on December 1 stopped a Toyota Hiace bus along the Maraba–Mubi Road and discovered 1,577,112 capsules of tramadol and Exol-5, concealed in jumbo bags mixed with sandals and slippers. Two suspects — Kabiru Buba, 25, and Hamza Abubakar, 32 — were arrested. Another suspect, Mudansir Rabiu, 27, was picked up along the Zaria–Kano Road with 197,000 pills of Exol-5.
In Ekiti State, NDLEA teams destroyed 14,654kg of skunk found in forests in Omuo-Ekiti, arresting Yusuf Iliyasu, 50, and Okumu Chinedu, 26.
During another operation on December 2, operatives stormed the Asin-Ekiti forests in Ikole LGA, destroying 54,300kg of skunk stored in two large warehouses and recovering 28.3kg for prosecution.
Also on December 2, NDLEA officers raided Igoba Forest in Akure North LGA, Ondo State, where they recovered 2,483 compressed blocks and 247 bags of skunk, weighing a total of 5,442kg. Five suspects — Jacob Omodowo, 66; Joy Oluatobi Peace, 24; Babatunde Olamide, 40; Echi Fidelis Joseph, 57; and Ankrah Akano, 56 — were arrested.
In Edo State, operatives recovered 447.5kg of skunk from two Honda Accord cars in Agho Forest, Akoko Edo LGA, arresting Dada Adedara Babawibi, 56. A separate raid in Isiefve community, Ohuwunde LGA led to the seizure of 315.8kg of cannabis and the arrest of Stanley Obasuwa.