Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted a shipment containing 339,800 bottles of codeine-based syrup at the Apapa seaport in Lagos, as part of a series of operations that also led to the recovery of large consignments of opioids and the arrest of several suspects across the country.
The massive consignment according to a statement by the NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, was discovered on Saturday, March 14, during a joint inspection of two containers by NDLEA officers, personnel of the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies.
According to the agency, the containers had earlier been watch-listed following credible intelligence suggesting they were being used to smuggle opioids into the country.
The operation in Lagos also led to arrests and seizures at major commercial centres on Lagos Island.
In one of the interdiction operations, NDLEA operatives arrested Kalilou Simpara and Saidu Ibrahim at Ebute Ero on Monday, March 9, after discovering 68,000 pills of tramadol (250mg and 225mg) already loaded in a truck.
The suspects were reportedly preparing to transport the drugs to the Benin Republic before the agency’s intervention.
Following their arrest, operatives launched a follow-up operation at Idumota Market on Wednesday, March 11, leading to the arrest of the alleged owner of the consignment, Nnamdi Cyprian.
A search of Cyprian’s shop uncovered a parcel prepared for waybill delivery containing 1,000 tablets of tramadol (250mg).
Another raid carried out at the same market on Friday, March 13, resulted in the arrest of Nwanosike Kelvin, from whose shop NDLEA officers recovered 47,500 ampoules of pentazocine injection.
Beyond Lagos, the agency recorded additional arrests and seizures in other parts of the country.
In Kano State, NDLEA operatives arrested Magaji Dan Azumi, 42, in the Bebeji area on Tuesday, March 10, after recovering 386 kilograms of skunk, a strain of cannabis.
Similarly, officers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) recovered 282.2 kilograms of skunk from Isah Wako, 42, during an operation in Gwagwalada on Friday, March 13.
In Edo State, NDLEA operatives raided the Egwa Forest Reserve in Aduan village, Orhionmwon Local Government Area, where Chinedo Odalonu, 33, was arrested.
During the operation, officers destroyed 4,218.96 kilograms of skunk on two farms, while 16.5 kilograms of the substance was recovered as evidence.
The agency also intensified its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign during the past week with sensitisation programmes in schools across the country.
Some of the outreach activities included lectures delivered to students and staff of ERCC Secondary School, Duguru in Nasarawa State; Awoyemi Commercial High School, Okeho in Oyo State; Ogunu Primary School in Delta State; Seven Angels University Secondary School, Ikot Enobong in Cross River State; and Edo National College, Iguobazuwa in Edo State.
In addition, NDLEA Zone 11 Command paid a WADA advocacy visit to Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru of Ebonyi State.
Reacting to the operations, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) commended officers and men of the agency’s commands in NAIA, Lagos, Kano, Edo and the FCT for their efforts.
He also praised personnel across other commands nationwide for maintaining a balance between enforcement operations and preventive campaigns.
Marwa urged them to remain committed to the agency’s mandate of reducing both the supply and demand for illicit drugs across the country.