The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) yesterday said it intercepted large consignments of various illicit drugs in Abuja, Ondo, Kaduna, Jigawa, Plateau, Nasarawa, Kogi, Osun, Imo and Yobe states, respectively.
Its spokesman, Femi Babafemi, who disclosed this in a statement yesterday in Abuja, said in Abuja, two suspects, a 60-year-old man, Ademola Elusakin, and 34-year-old Nuhu Adamu were arrested by the NDLEA operatives last Monday, adding that the suspects were found with 30.0kgs of cannabis (Indian Hemp) along Kwali-Gwagwalada-Abuja expressway on their way from Lagos to Nasarawa State.
He also said the suspects claimed they procured the consignment from Ghana via Lagos with Keffi, Nasarawa State as their destination, where they were to supply illegal miners operating in the area.
In another development, at least 305 blocks of cannabis weighing 152.5kg were recovered from a suspect, Sale Bukar, 39.
According to Babafemi, Bukar was arrested at Geidam in Yobe, on July 14 while taking the illicit consignment to Diffa, in the Niger Republic, adding that a suspect: Aham Chinemeze, 43, was nabbed on July 18 with 60kgs of the same substance on Owerri – Onitsha expressway, Imo State.
He added that another 24-year-old man, Adamu Abdullahi, was arrested with 40.500kg on July 17 along the Obajana -Kabba expressway, Kogi State. “The consignment was recovered from him in a commercial bus coming from Lagos enroute Kano,”he said.
Also, in Plateau State, a raid on the storehouse of a notorious drug dealer, Choji Gyang (aka Pararam) who was currently at large, at Rukuba Road, Jos led to the recovery of 34 bags of cannabis (Indian hemp)
“The drugs weighed 312kg while his Manager, Kelvin Onwutalu, 43, was arrested.
“Two suspects: Ifabiyi Johnson, 27, and Adeleke Musiliu, 54, were on Friday arrested with different strains of cannabis sativa weighing 30.4kg during a raid in Osogbo, Osun State.
“In Jigawa State, the trio of Tukur Yahaya, 55; Idris Haruna, 28; and Tanimu Umar, 29, were nabbed with 90 blocks of cannabis (Indian hemp) weighing 116.8kgs at Roni junction, Kazaure Local Government Area, on July 19.
“They were arrested while on their way to supply the illicit drugs to their customers in Kazaure, Yankwashi and Katsina state,”he said.
Similarly, the duo of Ibrahim Abdulkadir, 29, and Suleman Mohammed, 22, were arrested with 336 bottles of codeine syrup at Amingo, Kaduna.
Babafemi said that one Anwaliu Hashimu, 35, was also nabbed with 45 kilograms of cannabis (Indian hemp) along the Zaria- Kano highway.
“Acting on credible intelligence, a team of NDLEA operatives backed by soldiers raided a mechanic workshop opposite Benin garage, Akure, Ondo State.
“The NDLEA operatives recovered a white Toyota Hilux Van with registration number EE 328 EKY loaded with 652 parcels of cannabis weighing 685kgs.
“In Nasarawa state, 38kgs of the same psychoactive substance and a locally made AK-47 rifle were recovered from the home of a suspect, Christopher Ombugadu, 32, in Akwanga during a raid on July 14,” he said.
In another development, the NDLEA said it has inducted the Chairman of Optiva Capital Partners, Franklin Nechi as an ambassador of its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative. The ceremony took place at the company’s headquarters on Victoria Island, Lagos.
The NDLEA WADA initiative is a campaign by the government to combat drug abuse and illicit trafficking. The campaign focuses on raising awareness about the dangers of drug abuse, promoting drug-free lifestyles, and strengthening community participation in the fight against drug problems. It involves educational programs, public sensitisation campaigns, collaborations with other government agencies and international organisations, and enforcement actions to reduce the supply and demand for illicit drugs.
The NDLEA’s Assistant Commander General of Narcotics, Archie-Abia Ibinabo, who spoke at the investiture, said: “The overarching goal of NDLEA WADA is to create a safer, healthier society by reducing the prevalence of drug abuse and its associated social, economic, and health impacts.”
On the ambassadorial role, she added: “It is expedient to leverage the influence and reach of prominent individuals to effectively combat drug abuse and illicit trafficking in our communities in Nigeria. We conducted a background check on Franklin Nechi and Jane Kimemia and found them very worthy to be part of this initiative.”
Responding, Nechi said: “Through extensive experience in investment immigration and wealth retention, Optiva Capital has enabled thousands of families to seek global opportunities, including better healthcare. Acquiring UHHC extends these benefits locally in Nigeria, integrating a leading medical institution to provide high-quality, patient-centered healthcare that meets international standards. By this move we aim to reduce the need for Nigerians to seek medical services abroad, supporting the Nigerian government’s efforts to enhance healthcare delivery and curb medical tourism.
“By improving local healthcare infrastructure, Optiva Capital contributes to the country’s economic stability and growth, aiming to create a healthier, more prosperous community.”
He disclosed plans to launch three mobile hospitals as first responders to accidents, underscoring Optiva Capital’s dedication to improving healthcare access in Nigeria, pledging support to the NDLEA’s efforts to eradicate drug abuse, with plans to extend the campaign to educational institutions.
The occasion which coincided with Nechi’s birthday celebration also saw the induction of Optiva Capital’s CEO, Jane Kimemia, as a WADA ambassador.
