Maha Christopher
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have intercepted 380 rounds of military grade ammunition in Kaduna State and arrested three suspects linked to the possession of more than 1.2 tonnes of cannabis during a series of operations across the country.
According to The Punch, the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Sunday.
Babafemi said NDLEA officers on patrol along the Abuja Kaduna Highway at Jere intercepted a 30 year old suspect, Sunusi Musa, on May 24 while allegedly transporting 380 rounds of 7.62mm military grade ammunition to Katsina State.
He stated that the suspect and the recovered ammunition had been handed over to the appropriate security agency for further investigation.
“In another interdiction operation in the state, NDLEA officers on patrol along the Abuja Kaduna highway by Jere intercepted a 30 year old suspect, Sunusi Musa, with 380 rounds of military grade ammunition, RLA 7.62mm, going to Katsina State. The suspect and the exhibit have since been handed over to the appropriate security agency for further action,” Babafemi said.
In a separate operation in Kaduna, the agency arrested a couple, Musa Sunday and Mercy Sunday, alongside another suspect, Salomi Ezekiel, 38, after recovering 100 jumbo bags of skunk weighing 1,246 kilograms from their residence in the Gonin Gora area.
The agency also uncovered consignments of illicit drugs concealed in water purifier machines shipped from the Netherlands to Lagos.
According to Babafemi, the drugs, consisting of three kilograms of ketamine and 199 grams of MDMA, popularly known as ecstasy, were discovered at a courier company on May 26.
“NDLEA have uncovered consignments of high potency illicit drugs concealed in water purifier machines shipped to Lagos from the Netherlands,” he stated.
In Niger State, NDLEA operatives acting on intelligence raided a warehouse at Gidan Kukah in Bosso Local Government Area, where 457 kilograms of skunk were recovered.
A 46 year old suspect, Godwin Zakka, was later arrested at his residence in the Gbeganu area of Minna in connection with the seizure.
Similarly, in Enugu State, operatives intercepted a commercial vehicle travelling to Taraba State along the Onitsha Enugu Expressway on May 28.
A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of 22,000 tramadol pills, 100 ampoules of pentazocine and 200 grams of bromazepam.
The agency said one suspect, James Maigari Wisdom, was arrested during the operation.
Babafemi added that NDLEA commands nationwide had continued their War Against Drug Abuse campaign through sensitisation programmes in schools, workplaces, worship centres and communities.
Commending the officers involved, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mohamed Buba Marwa, praised personnel of the Kaduna, Niger and Enugu commands, as well as the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation, for the successful operations.
Marwa also urged officers across the country to remain committed to reducing drug trafficking and intensifying public awareness campaigns against drug abuse.
