Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a pastor and his wife in Lagos after discovering 11 kilograms of skunk concealed in hidden compartments of their vehicle.
The suspects, Afolabi Hodonu, 45, who is reportedly in charge of the Celestial Church of Christ, Agonvi Sea Beach, and his wife, Success Hodonu, 35, were apprehended on Thursday, April 2, at the Gbaji checkpoint in Badagry.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Femi Babafemi, NDLEA spokesperson, said a search of the couple’s Honda Pilot SUV led to the recovery of the illicit substance concealed within modified sections of the vehicle.
“A search of their Honda Pilot SUV led to the recovery of blocks of skunk weighing 11kg hidden in compartments of the vehicle,” he said.
Babafemi explained that the arrest followed an earlier interception at the same checkpoint on March 30, when operatives apprehended a suspected fake security agent, Sunday Samuel, 35, who was transporting 24.5 kilograms of skunk from Seme border to Lagos.
“The arrest of the couple followed the apprehension of a fake security agent, Sunday Samuel, who was conveying 24.5kg of skunk. Subsequent investigations led to their arrest,” he added.
In a related development, NDLEA operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, intercepted 3.10 kilograms of cocaine concealed in tins of palm kernel extract bound for the United Kingdom.
Babafemi said two suspects, Idris Olayiwola Amoo and Akinlami Akinsoji Adedoyin, were arrested, while further intelligence-led operations led to the arrest of the alleged sender, Ezemuwo Joel, and the syndicate leader, King Arinze, 52, in Isolo, Lagos.
“Items recovered from his warehouse included 886 tins prepared for drug concealment and tools used for packaging,” he said.
Babafemi also disclosed that operatives arrested a suspected female drug supplier in Borno State.
“In a separate operation, NDLEA operatives intercepted a 28-year-old woman, Aisha Adamu, along Gamboru Ngala road with 4.3 kilograms of Colorado, a potent synthetic strain of cannabis,” he added.
The agency said the operations were part of ongoing nationwide efforts to curb drug trafficking and related crimes.
