Etim Ekpimah
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has intercepted three major interstate drug cartels supplying illicit substances to some states in the North.
The agency also recovered skunk and cocaine weighing over 843 kilograms and arrested, at least, seven of the drug kingpins behind the syndicates in separate raids carried out in Kogi, Nasarawa and Benue states.
Director, Media & Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, Femi Babafemi, on Tuesday in a statement said a cartel led by one Augustine Emmanuel, 45, opted to move its consignments through the waterways between Edo and Kogi states.
According to him, Emmanuel was trying to evade frequent road interdiction efforts by officers of the Kogi State command of the agency, hence the water routes.
“They were, however, intercepted on Monday July 12, 2021, at a Jetty in Idah, Kogi State, where a Toyota Avalon car with number plate Lagos SMK 345 CG, loaded with 487 kg of cannabis and ferried across the waterways from Agenebode, Edo State to the Jetty in Idah, was seized and the syndicate leader arrested.
“In Nasarawa State, a team of NDLEA operatives had on Thursday July 8 raided one of the most hostile drug joints in the state capital.
“About 356kg of cannabis and various psychotropic substances were recovered, with the arrest of four major drug dealers including the most notorious drug kingpin in Nasarawa State called “Boogie” while his real name is Muhammed Umar.
“His drug distribution tentacles cut across Kano, Plateau, Benue and parts of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja.
“Curiously, some quantities of cocaine were intercepted in Benue on July 8, 9, and 13. The first dealer, John Aondosoo was arrested in Makurdi on Thursday with 28.6grams of crack cocaine and after initial interrogation, it was discovered that his supplier, Henry Ezeomah would bring more supplies in the early hours of Friday from Obosi, Anambra.
“Indeed, the supplier was arrested last Friday with 29.17 grams of crack cocaine,” Babafemi said.
According to him, in another raid on Tuesday, 13th July the Benue command also seized some quantities of cocaine.
He said the Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd) commended the commanders, officers, and men of Kogi, Nasarawa and Benue commands of NDLEA for taking the war against illicit drugs in Nigeria to the doorsteps of the cartels.
He added that Marwa urged them not to relent but remain resolute in their commitment to rid every community of the drug scourge.
