By Jelili Gbadamosi
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted illicit drugs worth billions of naira in separate operations across Nigeria, including large consignments of cannabis seized at Lagos ports and cocaine allegedly hidden inside cassava flour.
The agency disclosed the operations in a statement issued on Sunday by its Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi.
In Ogun State, NDLEA operatives arrested 101-year-old Esther Ogunmabo in Ilisan on August 15 for allegedly selling 90 grammes of skunk packaged in retail sachets.
Ogunmabo reportedly told investigators that she resorted to selling cannabis after her provisions shop was destroyed by fire. She also alleged that a daughter based in Lagos supplied the substance to her every four days. The daughter was subsequently arrested.
Following the arrest, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), directed that the centenarian be granted bail and referred for counselling because of her advanced age.
Meanwhile, in Akwa Ibom, operatives intercepted a wooden boat allegedly transporting illicit drugs towards fishing settlements in Cameroon. Three suspects were arrested and 42.622kg of narcotics recovered.
Among the exhibits was 20 grammes of cocaine allegedly concealed inside a large wrap of edible cassava fufu. The suspect, 27-year-old Kingsley Effiong John, was also reportedly found with 435 grammes of skunk.
The NDLEA further recorded major seizures at the Apapa and Lekki Deep Sea ports in Lagos, where a combined 1,490.5kg of Thai Loud was allegedly discovered concealed in containers carrying legitimate goods.
At Apapa Port, 1,090.5kg of the substance was reportedly hidden among dry fish, rice, vehicle spare parts, turmeric soap and inverter batteries, while another 400kg was discovered among pallets of A4 paper at Lekki Deep Sea Port.
According to the agency, the two seizures marked its first recorded interceptions of illicit drugs shipped from Thailand through the maritime corridor.
Other operations across the country also yielded thousands of tramadol capsules, methamphetamine, cannabis, codeine syrup and other controlled substances.
In the Federal Capital Territory, NDLEA operatives intercepted three waybill packages containing 24,410 tramadol capsules inside a Hummer bus travelling from Enugu to Zuba. A follow-up operation in Niger State led to the arrest of the alleged owner, 28-year-old Sunday Eze.
The agency also reported the destruction of 10,000kg of cannabis cultivated on four hectares of farmland in Ijare Forest, Ondo State, as well as further arrests and seizures in Kwara, Oyo, Kano, Lagos and Abia states.
Marwa commended the officers involved in the operations and urged NDLEA commands nationwide to sustain both enforcement activities and drug-abuse prevention campaigns.
