The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled a significant drug cartel in Aba, Abia State, operated by Kelechi Monday Nwaobasi, 49, and his sister, Ms. Chinwe Rose Nwaobasi, 50.
The arrest of the duo followed a months-long intelligence operation, resulting in the seizure of cocaine and methamphetamine worth over N4.1 billion.
Femi Babafemi, Director of Media and Advocacy at NDLEA Headquarters in Abuja, disclosed in a statement on Sunday that the Special Operation Unit of the agency conducted the raids on June 13 and 14 at locations on Boundary Avenue and Ohia Road in Aba.
The operation culminated in the arrest of the cartel leaders and the confiscation of 20.76 kilograms of illicit drugs.
In a related operation in Lagos, NDLEA operatives uncovered a warehouse stocked with a large consignment of codeine-based syrup in the Comfort Oboh area of Kirikiri. Four individuals connected to the importation and distribution of the opioid were arrested during an intelligence-led raid. Those apprehended include Kingsley Amanambu Obumneke, 38; Emeka Emmanuel, 48; Bornaventure Ugochukwu, 59; and Martin Dike, 56. Authorities seized 82,000 bottles of codeine syrup, a Toyota Tacuma truck, and two buses used for distribution, with a total street value exceeding N600 million.
Further operations in Lagos on June 12 resulted in the arrest of Ibrahim Abdulhamid, who was found with 29,100 pills of tramadol, other opioids, and 3.9 litres of codeine syrup in the Alaba Suru area of Ojo local council.
The NDLEA’s nationwide crackdown also saw significant arrests and seizures in several states:
Kano and Jigawa States: On June 10, Yasir Rabi’u, 23, and Abubakar Ado, 30, were arrested with 230,600 pills of tramadol.
Ogun State: On June 10, NDLEA operatives seized 390 kilogrammes of cannabis in Ibese, arresting Muhammad Sani, Nura Mohammad, and Samaila Rabe. Additionally, on June 12, a skuchies production facility was raided in Shagamu, resulting in seven arrests and the seizure of 387 liters of skuchies, 70 liters of industrial codeine, 25 kilograms of cannabis, and various other drugs.
Edo State: On June 12, 10,534.78 kilogrammes of cannabis were destroyed on farmland in Uhen Forest, with four suspects apprehended.
Ekiti State: On June 14, 18,425 kilogrammes of cannabis were eradicated from farmland in Ise Ekiti.
Federal Capital Territory: On June 14, two suspects were arrested in Garki Area 10 and Dutse Suokale with 3,550 bottles of Akuskura, a psychotropic substance.
Benue State: On June 12, Emmanuel Ogechi, 24, was caught with 11,200 pills of tramadol along the Otukpo-Enugu road.
Anambra State: Arrests included Anayo Onwe, 40, with 62.4 kilogrammes of cannabis in Nteje, and the seizure of 1 kilogram of methamphetamine in Oraifite.
Kwara and Oyo States: Suspects Muhammed Musa, 24, and Shokuro Adeola, 59, were arrested with 33 kilogrammes and 11.5 kilogrammes of cannabis, respectively.
The NDLEA continues its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) with educational initiatives in schools and communities nationwide. Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), Chairman/CEO of the NDLEA, commended the agency’s officers for their dedication and urged them to persist in their efforts to reduce both drug supply and demand.
