The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted the largest cocaine haul at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) since the agency’s Kano command was established in 2006.
In a statement on Sunday, Femi Babafemi, NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, confirmed the seizure during the inward clearance of passengers on Ethiopian Airlines flight ET 941 from Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on December 15.
Olisaka Calistus, who claimed to be an import-export businessman, was arrested for attempting to smuggle 256 wraps of cocaine, which weighs 6 kilograms, into the country.
Babafemi revealed that Calistus was caught during a body scan.
Similarly, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, NDLEA operatives intercepted Olanrewaju Akorede, an ex-convict, while he attempted to export a consignment of Rohypnol to South Africa through the export shed.
“Olanrewaju was convicted for a similar crime earlier this year following his arrest on 12th December 2023 for attempting to ship 4.90kg tramadol and 2.10kg Rohypnol to South Africa through the Lagos airport.
“He was sentenced to two years imprisonment by a Federal High Court in Lagos with an option to pay a fine of N900,000, which he paid before returning to repeat the same crime,” Babafemi said
In a related operation, Cynthia Akaeen, an Italy-based businesswoman, was arrested at the departure point of Terminal 2 while trying to board a Royal Air Maroc flight to Italy.
Babafemi stated, “A total of 9,190 tablets of various brands of tramadol weighing 6.00kg were recovered from her. According to her, she was promised 1,000 Euros upon successful delivery of the consignment in Italy.”
Also, Babafemi indicated that nationwide operations carried out have yielded massive drug seizures.
He noted that in Onitsha, Anambra State, the NDLEA operatives raided a warehouse in a building material market, and recovered 418,330 pills of tramadol, tapentadol, and 8,000 bottles of codeine-based syrup.
He stated that the seizure was based on credible intelligence received on December 17.
Meanwhile, at the Tincan Island port in Lagos, a joint operation involving NDLEA, Customs, DSS, police, and other security agencies uncovered 180,000 bottles of codeine syrup hidden in a container from Mundra, India.
According to Babafemi, the consignee, Makata Emmanuel, was arrested.
In Borno state, operatives of NDLEA also arrested Ishaya Wabba, 54, and Samaila Audu, 44, with 293,000 capsules of tramadol, a pistol, and 26 rounds of live ammunition.
The agency spokesman said a separate raid in the Gwange area led to the seizure of 260,000 capsules of tramadol from Sanusi Abdul Hamid, 37.
He noted that further arrests included Modu Kolera, 35, who was caught with 8.5kg of cannabis, 5,000 tramadol pills, and other substances in Maiduguri, and Gafar Saminu, 30, apprehended with 33.5kg of cannabis in Oyo state.
He also revealed that 32kg of ephedrine, a precursor chemical, was intercepted on December 16 at the Young Shall Grow Luxurious Vehicles Park in Lagos, destined for the South East.
Babafemi said the agency has intensified the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) Campaigns, and as part of its ongoing efforts to curb drug abuse, the NDLEA conducted sensitisation lectures in schools, workplaces, and communities nationwide. Including lectures at Wajah Girls Government Day Secondary School in Adamawa, Government Girls Tahfizul Quran Salihawa in Kano, and Riyadul Quran Islamiyya School in Kebbi.
Babafemi added, “Our operatives remain resolute in their mission to dismantle drug networks and protect Nigerian communities from the scourge of drug abuse and trafficking.”