By HeapNews
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has made significant strides in its ongoing fight against drug trafficking and abuse, with multiple arrests and seizures across the country in recent days.
On Monday, December 2, 2024, NDLEA operatives arrested Egwu Phillip Inya, a 42-year-old self-claimed building engineer, in Enugu. Inya was attempting to collect three pressure machines imported from South Africa, which contained hidden parcels of “Loud,” a synthetic strain of cannabis weighing 7.4 kilograms. The consignment arrived at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos on November 29, 2024, before being diverted to Enugu.
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“The arrest of Egwu Inya is a testament to the Agency’s commitment to disrupting drug trafficking networks,” said Mohamed Buba Marwa, Chairman of NDLEA. “Our intelligence network tracked the shipment across its journey, and this operation proves our ability to act swiftly in response to emerging threats.”
Further north, NDLEA operatives in Adamawa State recovered over 511,000 tramadol pills from a Siena vehicle on Friday, December 6, after its occupants abandoned the vehicle upon spotting the patrol team.
In Ekiti State, two individuals, Olanrewaju Alale, 48, and Babatunde Kayode Ijadahun, 55, were arrested on December 6 with 1,323 kilograms of cannabis. The drugs were being transported to Ondo State for distribution to northern regions. Another major cannabis haul took place in Oyo State, where Adekunle Yusuf, 33, was arrested with 704 kilograms of the substance.
The NDLEA’s operations also reached Lagos, where a grandmother, 65-year-old Ramata Bola Adeyemo, was arrested with 20.6 liters of codeine-based syrup, and Alhaji Lawan Manga was detained with 4.7 kilograms of cannabis and 1.3 kilograms of tramadol.
Alongside these arrests, the Agency continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign, educating students, staff, and community members in schools and local organizations across various states, including Oyo, Osun, Borno, Rivers, Enugu, and Kano.
Marwa commended the efforts of NDLEA operatives nationwide, emphasizing the importance of both drug supply reduction and demand reduction strategies in combating the country’s growing drug crisis.
“Our officers and formations across the country continue to demonstrate resilience and dedication in the fight against drug abuse and trafficking,” Marwa stated. “Their work is crucial to ensuring a safer and drug-free society.”