Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have seized more than 1.3 million tablets and capsules of tramadol and other opioids, as well as about 6,000kg of cannabis, in a series of operations across several states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The agency said the seizures had an estimated street value of more than N3.4bn.
One of the largest seizures was recorded at the Tin-Can Island Port in Lagos, where officers intercepted 1,200 parcels of Canadian Loud, a potent cannabis strain weighing 603.75kg and valued at N1.81bn.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, said the consignment arrived from Montreal, Canada, on 12 September and was examined jointly by NDLEA operatives, the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies on 16 September.
The drugs were allegedly concealed in 31 black jumbo bags packed inside two Toyota Sienna vehicles, which had been loaded into a 40-foot container.
In Delta State, NDLEA officers arrested a 49-year-old man accused of impersonating a senior police officer to evade checkpoints while transporting illicit drugs.
The suspect was arrested on 16 September along the Benin-Onitsha Expressway in Asaba with 292.48kg of skunk allegedly concealed in a silver Toyota Sienna bus.
The agency said preliminary investigations indicated that the man had allegedly presented himself as a Deputy Superintendent of Police and used a forged police identification card to avoid scrutiny at checkpoints. Another suspect was arrested in connection with the operation.
In Edo State, officers acting on intelligence raided an auto-repair workshop along Agbor Road in Benin City, arresting a 45-year-old man.
The NDLEA alleged that the workshop was being used as a storage facility for illicit drugs. Officers reportedly recovered 48kg of Canadian Loud, 152 grammes of methamphetamine and a metal box allegedly used to store the substances.
The agency also recorded a major opioid seizure in Niger State, where two suspects were arrested along the Abaji-Abuja Highway on 18 September.
NDLEA operatives recovered more than 1.1 million assorted tramadol tablets and capsules, alongside codeine syrup, methamphetamine and Exol tablets. The drugs were allegedly being transported from Onitsha in Anambra State to Mararaba in Nasarawa State in eight sacks.
Earlier, three young suspects were arrested at Chachi in Tafa Local Government Area of Niger State, along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway.
According to the agency, the suspects were found with two locally fabricated AK-47 rifles, a magazine, a locally made pistol with a magazine and nine rounds of 9mm ammunition concealed in a black travel bag.
In Lagos, a suspect was arrested at a residence in Aguda, Surulere, where officers recovered 48,900 tablets of tramadol 225mg.
NDLEA operatives also intercepted 59kg of cannabis sativa at a logistics company in the state, resulting in another arrest.
At Apongbo, officers arrested a 43-year-old suspect and recovered 998.38kg of nitrous oxide gas.
Cannabis farms destroyed
In Gombe State, the agency said 154,480 tramadol capsules were recovered from two suspects arrested separately in the Barunde area and Gombe main market.
In Imo State, a 25-year-old suspect was arrested along the Owerri-Onitsha Road with 43.85kg of skunk.
Four suspects were also arrested during a raid on a two-hectare cannabis farm in the Ita-Ogbolu forest in Ondo State.
The operation resulted in the destruction of about 5,000kg of skunk, while 48kg of dried and fresh cannabis was recovered as evidence for prosecution.
NDLEA continues anti-drug campaigns
The agency said its operations had continued alongside public awareness activities under its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign.
According to the NDLEA, its commands and formations have continued sensitisation programmes in schools, places of worship, workplaces and communities. Recent engagements were held in institutions across Oyo, Anambra, Lagos and Taraba states.
The Delta Ports Command also conducted a WADA advocacy visit to the Pere Ama-Okosu of Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Kingdom in Delta State.
Commending personnel of the Lagos, Tin-Can, Edo, Niger, Delta, Ondo, Gombe, Imo and FCT Commands, the NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd.), praised their professionalism and intelligence-led operations.
Marwa urged officers nationwide to maintain a balanced approach as the agency continues its efforts to combat drug trafficking and abuse.
