Key Highlights:
- NDLEA busts a trans-border drug cartel.
- Millions of naira worth of tramadol recovered.
- Four suspects arrested in Onitsha and Keffi.
- Drugs were concealed in specially modified vehicles.
- The operation involved intelligence gathering and strategic interception.
NDLEA Nets Major Drug Traffickers in Onitsha and Keffi
In a stunning operation, the NDLEA successfully dismantled a trans-border drug trafficking syndicate, seizing a massive haul of tramadol pills worth millions of naira. The operation, conducted in Onitsha, Anambra State, and Keffi, Nasarawa State, led to the arrest of four key members of the cartel.
Operation Details: How the NDLEA Took Down the Cartel
Acting on weeks of intelligence and surveillance, NDLEA operatives from the Directorate of Intelligence intercepted a Sienna bus on the Nasarawa-Toto road, Keffi. The bus, en route from Onitsha to Yola, Adamawa State, was found to have specially constructed steel compartments where 190,960 pills of tramadol were concealed. Two suspects, Zahradeen Adamu and Abubakar Usman, were arrested at the scene.
A second Sienna bus, also driven by Abba Usman, was intercepted, revealing a similar concealment method. Investigations revealed that Kingsley Mbaeri, an Onitsha-based dealer, was the supplier of the seized consignment. Mbaeri was subsequently arrested at his home, where two additional vehicles, a Toyota Corolla and a Toyota Sienna bus, were recovered.
More Busts Across Nigeria: NDLEA on a Roll!
The NDLEA’s success extends beyond Onitsha and Keffi. In another operation, operatives intercepted a commercial bus in Abuja, arresting Chimezie Ojingwa, who was carrying motor spare parts concealing methamphetamine, Loud (a synthetic strain of cannabis), and dimethyl sulfone, a precursor substance for mixing meth.
In Cross River State, officers intercepted a truck carrying 170,000 pills of tramadol, while in Lagos, 85,400 bottles of codeine-based syrup were recovered from a container imported from India. Further arrests were made in Borno, Ekiti, Taraba, and Lagos, highlighting the NDLEA’s nationwide crackdown on drug trafficking.
The Nationwide Impact: NDLEA’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA)
Beyond arrests and seizures, the NDLEA is actively engaged in its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign, conducting sensitization lectures and advocacy visits across the country. These efforts target schools, workplaces, religious centers, and communities, aiming to educate and prevent drug abuse.
NDLEA Boss Commends Officers
Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd), the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, lauded the officers for their outstanding performance in the operations. He commended their dedication to combating drug trafficking and their commitment to the WADA campaign.
The Bigger Picture: Why This Matters
These busts are crucial in the fight against drug abuse and its devastating effects on Nigerian society. Tramadol, a powerful opioid painkiller, is often abused, leading to addiction and health problems. By intercepting these drugs, the NDLEA is protecting vulnerable individuals and communities.
The NDLEA’s ongoing efforts demonstrate the agency’s commitment to securing Nigeria’s borders and protecting its citizens from the scourge of drug trafficking. With continued vigilance and strategic operations, the NDLEA aims to create a drug-free Nigeria for all.
For more information on the dangers of drug abuse and the NDLEA’s efforts, visit their official website.