NDLEA raids hotspots in Ondo, Nasarawa, Benue, arrests 43 drug dealers

EMMANUEL

In continuation of its battle against illicit drugs in the country, operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have launched fresh raids in Nasarawa, Benue and Ondo states, during which no fewer than 43 dealers and consumers of illicit substances were arrested, while 137.55 kilograms of assorted drugs were recovered, in an operation the agency called ‘offensive action’.

A statement issued by NDLEA’S spokesman, Femi Babafemi on Tuesday, said its operatives in Nasarawa State, backed by a detachment of soldiers from 177 battalion of the Nigerian Army, Keffi, raided notorious drug joints located in Kara Masaka, Ruwa Ruwa Uke, Abattoir at the border with FCT, Filing Bala, Masaka U- Turn and others for two consecutive days; 5th and 6th August 2021.

According to Babafemi, during the raids, 41 suspects were arrested and assorted drugs, such as cocaine, cannabis sativa, cough syrup with codeine, rohypnol and tramadol with a total weight of 65.250kg recovered from them.

“Cannabis plants planted by the drug dealers in the adjoining bushes were destroyed while all the stalls in the drug markets were dismantled and set ablaze,” it said.

Similarly, NDLEA’s operatives in Ondo State, in the early hours of Monday, 9th August, 2021, raided Odopetu area of Akure in Akure South local government area of the state capital, where a 44-year-old Mrs. Folake Ademola was arrested while her husband escaped arrest.

FOLAKE, ARRESTED WITH 65.400kg of cannabis sativa; skunk – 500grams; loud- 16grams; Colorado- 34grams

“Recovered from their home include: 65.400kg of cannabis sativa; skunk – 500grams; loud- 16grams; Colorado- 34grams, bringing the total of drugs seized from them to 65.950 kilograms.

“In Benue State, a 34-year-old Iornum Emmanuel was arrested at the NDLEA Aliade checkpoint on Sunday 8th August, 2021 with different quantities of assorted illicit drugs, which include; tramadol -500grams; diazepam- 1.5kg and exol 5- 7.9kg,” the statement said.

Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) has commended the commanders, officers and men of the Nasarawa, Ondo and Benue state commands for their commitment to the goal of ridding the country of the menace of drug abuse and trafficking.

He charged them and their colleagues in other commands to continue on the offensive until the last drug cartel in Nigeria is dismantled.