NDLEA arrests 67-year-old blind, leper for drug dealing

The operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a 67-year-old blind man, Aliyu Adebiyi, for concealing 234 kilograms of cannabis at his house in Sokoto village, Owena Ijesa in Atakumosa East Local Government Area of Osun State.

This was disclosed via a statement made available to The Star on Sunday by the NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi.

Babafemi noted that the blind man, in his statement on Friday, said a drug dealer kept the consignment with him for N6,000 per month and paid for three months upfront.

He stated that a 45-year-old leper notorious for drug dealing, Haruna Abdullahi, was arrested at Garko, Kano State on Thursday, adding that 2.2kgs of cannabis and various quantities of Diazepam and Exol were recovered from him.

The NDLEA spokesman added that 370kgs of cannabis were recovered from a sawmill in the Owo area of Ondo State when the operatives of the anti-drug agency stormed the industrial plant following credible intelligence.

Babafemi revealed that 261 kilograms of the illicit substance were also seized from a suspect, Uche Monday, at Uneme-Osu, Ososo Road in the Akoko Edo area of Edo State.

He said 74kgs of cannabis were also evacuated from a bush at Okpela fertiliser community in Etsako East LGA of Edo State.

Babefemi stated that the NDLEA operatives, on Monday, January 16 raided Lugbe area of Abuja following credible intelligence that a dealer was operating in a batcher on the outskirt of the town.

The NDLEA spokesperson noted that a search of the batcher led to the recovery of 42.9kgs cannabis, 15 grams cocaine, 137grams Methamphetamine, and a cash of N2.1 million believed to be proceeds of the criminal trade.

Reacting to the seizures and arrests, the NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), commended the officers involved in the operations and charged them and their compatriots across the country to remain steadfast and focused on winning the war against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in Nigeria.

The Star

Segun Ojo