The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has intercepted two boats carrying 1,960 kilograms of Ghanaian Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, during a midnight operation at Eleko Beach in Lekki, Lagos.
Six foreign nationals were arrested during the operation on Christmas Eve. According to the NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, the suspects include two Ghanaians—Godsway John (38) and Freedom Kelvin (33)—and four Beninese nationals: Chegoun Hounsou (23), Gadabor Nyameto (47), Adantg Sasa (34), and Ayao Kayivi (21).
Babafemi explained that the cannabis was smuggled into Nigeria from Ghana via waterways.
In a separate operation, NDLEA operatives arrested a 48-year-old businessman, Orizu Arthur, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on December 22. Orizu was flagged during passenger clearance for an Air France flight to Paris when he refused a body scan, citing medical reasons.
After being taken into custody for observation, Orizu excreted 74 wraps of Class A drugs over seven days.
In his statement, Orizu claimed to own a shop at Balogun Market in Lagos, where he sells school and travel bags. He admitted he had been promised €3,000 to deliver the drugs to Paris.
On Christmas Day, NDLEA arrested 35-year-old Ibrahim Shaibu at the Central Motor Park in Katsina with 40 parcels of compressed cannabis sativa, weighing 35 kilograms.
On December 28, Umar Ahmed, 47, was apprehended along the Zaria-Malumfashi road in Katsina with 27 parcels of cannabis, weighing 13.5 kilograms.
In Edo State, NDLEA raided a location in Benin City on December 23, arresting a 21-year-old suspect, Kosisochukwu Ozigbo. The raid led to the recovery of 32,490 pills of tramadol, 936 bottles of codeine syrup, and other opioids.
The NDLEA continues its efforts to curb drug trafficking and use in Nigeria. Babafemi urged Nigerians to support the agency by providing timely information to help fight drug-related crimes.
“These arrests and seizures demonstrate our commitment to tackling drug trafficking and ensuring the safety of Nigerians,” Babafemi said.
