In a dramatic raid on a shrine used to store illicit drugs in the Igor community, Benin City, Edo State, operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) uncovered a large hole in the wall, cleverly concealed with wallpapers and fetish objects, where various illicit substances were hidden.
The NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Mr. Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.
During the intelligence-led operation on 18th June 2024, NDLEA agents discovered and seized different quantities of methamphetamine, Loud, Colorado, and Arizona—strong strains of cannabis—totaling 8.743 kilograms.
The operation led to the arrest of two women, Sonia Chinonso Ezumezu and Risikatu Tijani, after the shrine’s black snake guardian was neutralized.
Additionally, the NDLEA conducted another successful operation on Saturday in the Usen forest, Ovia South West LGA, Edo State.
This raid resulted in the arrest of two suspects, Obi Ferguson and Ernest Abanum, and the seizure of 209kg of cannabis and a motorcycle.
In Lagos, NDLEA officers intercepted a consignment of 8.2 kilograms of methamphetamine, cleverly packaged in imported Dunkin’ turtle love chocolate wraps and concealed in the casing of three loudspeakers, at a motor park in the Mazamaza, Ojo area.
The 39-year-old suspect, Michael Odiomume, was apprehended on 19th June while attempting to send the consignment to Owerri, Imo State.
In Abuja, on 18th June, NDLEA operatives intercepted a white Nissan Frontier pick-up vehicle with amber lights and a fake registration number of a security agency at Kiyi village in Kuje area of the FCT.
The vehicle was loaded with 454 compressed blocks of cannabis sativa, weighing 340.8kg, procured in Uzeba, Edo State. A 76-year-old grandfather, Mr. Francis Omofa, linked to the consignment, was arrested. Omofa confessed to being involved in the illicit drug trade for 10 years.
The NDLEA’s nationwide efforts continued with the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization activities in schools, worship centers, workplaces, and communities.
Commending the officers and men of the Edo, Lagos, and FCT Commands, the NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig-Gen. Mohamed Marwa (Rtd), praised the balanced approach in drug supply reduction and demand reduction efforts.
He encouraged the officers to maintain their offensive action against drug cartels and continue their social advocacy campaign against drug abuse.
