The operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested 70-year-old Muhammadu Ibrahim and 25-year-old Blessing Thomas for allegedly dealing in illicit drugs.

Ibrahim was arrested with 57.2kg cannabis in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, on Wednesday, May 29, while Thomas was apprehended with 1.0kg methamphetamine by NDLEA operatives on patrol along the Kwali-Gwagwalada expressway in Abuja on Friday, May 31, 2024.

The 25-year-old woman was arrested while travelling in a commercial bus from Lagos to Yola, the Adamawa State capital.

This was disclosed in a statement issued by the NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, on Sunday, June 2, 2024.

Babafemi added that two suspects – Suleiman Kazeem, 35, and Sunday Gbenga, 20 – were arrested when NDLEA officers raided Ara forest, Ara-Ekiti in Ekiti State where they recovered 426 kilograms of Cannabis Sativa already processed and packed in big sacks.

He noted that the anti-narcotic officers destroyed over 4,000kg of the same substance on 1.66 hectares of farmland on Thursday, May 30.

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He stated that 76 blocks of cannabis weighing 42kg were seized from a 29-year-old Nigerien, Suleman Audu, when he was arrested by NDLEA officers along Zaria-Malumfashi Road in Katsina State on Wednesday, May 29.

The NDLEA spokesperson added that the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation activities to schools, worship centres, workplaces, and communities, among others, were held with equal vigour in the past week.

Babafemi listed the activities to include the WADA enlightenment lecture for students and teachers of Community Secondary School, Okpuno, Awka, Anambra State;  students and teachers of All Saints Church School, Jericho Eleyele, Ibadan, Oyo State; students of Western Marine College, Ajido, Badagry, Lagos State; and students of Government Girls Secondary School, Buden Gari, Bichi in Kano State.

Commending the anti-narcotic officers for the arrests and seizures, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), noted that their efforts and those of their compatriots across the country have in no small measure reduced access to and availability of illicit substances in Nigeria.

Marwa also charged them to remain vigilant at all times and continue their collaboration with other agencies and stakeholders in their areas of responsibility.

The Star