NDLEA seizes tons of tramadol, codeine in Zamfara, Kogi, Kano

The operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have seized no fewer than 37,876 tablets of pharmaceutical opioids especially Tramadol, 10,884 bottles of codeine, and 825.016 kilograms of cannabis sativa, following raids in Zamfara, Kogi, Rivers, Kaduna and Kano states.

The NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, made the disclosure via a statement issued and made available to The Star on Sunday.

Babafemi revealed that a Mercedes Benz truck with reg. no. XB 986 AGB from Onitsha to Sokoto was intercepted in Tsafe area of In Zamfara State on Friday.

He added that the driver of the truck was arrested alongside his assistant and three others who are owners of the drug exhibits.

The three arrested suspects were identified as Alex Chukwuemeka, aged 37; Ignatius Mokwe Odikpo, aged 47; and Andrew Chijokwe, aged 47.

Babafemi noted that the suspects were arrested in a follow-up operation at a hotel in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital while waiting to receive the consignment for possible movement to Sokoto State.

The NDLEA spokesman stated that the items seized from the arrested suspects include 9,900 bottles of codeine, 599.3kg cannabis, and 15,889 tablets of other opioids.

He added that a fake security agent, identified as Richard Agada, was arrested in Kogi State on Wednesday, May 18 while conveying 10 bags of cannabis sativa weighing 116.8kg in a white Nissan van.

“Various quantities of opioids and cannabis were equally seized in two separate operations the previous Tuesday and Monday in other parts of the state with the arrest of a drug dealer, Ayuba Nda Isah, 32.

“Three suspects: Nornu Abanne, Yirakpoa Emmanuel, and Dornu Gbarazia were arrested at Kaani community and Bori with 90kg cannabis and 1.5gram of Cocaine on Wednesday 18th May,” Babafemi added.

The NDLEA spokesperson further stated that three suspects, Nura Salis, Bawa Musa, and Charity Jacob were arrested on Tuesday, May 17 at Warri Street in Kaduna, the Kaduna State capital with 4,900 tablets of Tramadol, 890 ampoules of Diazepam injection, 257 ampoules of pentazocine injection, 1,950 tablets of Nitrazepam, and 830 tablets of Carbazapine.

He noted that a drug dealer, Abubakar Abdullahi, aged 47, was arrested in Kano State with 5,970 capsules and tablets of Tramadol.

Babafemi added that one Nasiru Musa and Musa Mohammed were also nabbed with 5,000 caps of the same drug on Tuesday, May 17 in Kano State.

Speaking on the arrests and seizures, the Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), while commending the anti-drug officers, said the war against drug abuse and trafficking remains one that must be won.

Marwa, therefore, charged all commands of the NDLEA to remain on the offensive against the cartels as they take advocacy messages to communities and schools.

The Star

Segun Ojo