An eight-month pregnant woman, Favour Peter, Esther Adukwu, 27, and Ochigbo Michael, 39, were arrested in a series of coordinated raids across several states by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency leading to the seizure of N3.2m counterfeit notes and illicit substances, underscoring the agency’s commitment to combating drug-related crimes in the country.
The operation led to the arrest of the three suspects at the Jabi park in Abuja but an earlier seizure of N3.2m counterfeit cash by the NDLEA in Lokoja, Kogi State, prompted the follow-up operation that led to their apprehension.
The spokesperson for the NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, revealed the developments on Sunday, in a statement detailing the arrests and recoveries made by the agency over the past week.
Babafemi said, “In separate incidents, the NDLEA officers intercepted large quantities of narcotics. In Lokoja, Kogi State, Aliyu Lawal was caught with 620 blocks of cannabis weighing 310kg, while Jama Obodo was intercepted with 10 sacks of cannabis weighing 98kg along the Okene-Lokoja-Abuja Expressway.
“In Calabar, Cross River State, a 40-year-old widow, Mrs Theodora Ita, was arrested for producing and selling a deadly new psychoactive substance known as ‘Combine.’ Additionally, Godwin Samuel was apprehended with 39.4kg of cannabis sativa in Calabar.”
He noted that further operations in Kano, Imo, Ekiti, Edo, Ogun, and Ondo states resulted in the arrest of individuals involved in drugtrafficking and distribution. Notably, he disclosed that Sani Mohammed and Christopher Eze were caught in possession of 900,000 opioid pills in Kano. At the same time, a logistics truck carrying 230 blocks of cannabis sativa was intercepted in Imo State.
In ongoing efforts to curb drug abuse, the NDLEA said its commands nationwide conducted various advocacy campaigns, including sensitisation lectures for students, military personnel, and local communities.
The Chairman of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), commended the agency’s efforts in reducing drug supply and intensifying advocacy for drug demand reduction.
