Sodeinde QuadriAccording to Femi Babafemi, spokesperson for the NDLEA, a recent operation in the Opolo area of Yenagoa led to the interception of a motorcycle dispatch rider named Edesemi. Officers recovered 200 grams of chin-chin infused with cannabis sativa, which Edesemi was transporting to a buyer on March 10, 2024. Subsequent investigations led to the arrest of Josephine, a hairdresser in the Kpansia area, who was identified as a distributor of the drugged chin-chin from her salon.
A search of the salon uncovered an additional 3.00 kilograms of the illicit substance, bringing the total seized from the duo to 3.2kg. Babafemi noted that their investigation revealed the distribution network targeted students and events like birthday parties. Edesemi handled deliveries, while Josephine was a major distributor to a wanted suspect involved in producing the drugged chin-chin.
In another operation, NDLEA operatives in Adamawa State apprehended two wanted suspects, Ajim Samuel (aka Boss) and Davidson John Joshua (aka Dantala), on March 13. The suspects were transporting 14,428 tramadol pills concealed in their car along with 21 grams of cannabis. Additionally, a commercial bus driver, Ogunleye Adegoke, was arrested in Osun state after 2,000 tramadol capsules, 60 rohypnol tablets, and 10 bottles of codeine syrup were discovered hidden in his vehicle’s spare tire compartment.
The NDLEA also reported significant seizures in various states across Nigeria. In Bauchi, Lawan Abubakar was apprehended with 343,000 pills of opioids, while Muhammadu Rabiโu was transferred to the NDLEA with 64,000 tramadol pills recovered by the Nigerian Army. Operations in Ogun, Kano, Nasarawa, and Edo states resulted in the confiscation of large quantities of cannabis and other drugs. Notably, in Edo state, 75kg of cannabis was seized from suspect Kole Samuel, and a significant cannabis plantation was destroyed in Akoko Edo LGA.
The NDLEA emphasized its ongoing War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign, conducting sensitization lectures in schools and communities across the country. Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), commended the efforts of officers and men across multiple commands for their contributions to drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts.
