The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted consignments of illicit drugs concealed inside water purification machines imported from the Netherlands and seized more than 1.7 tonnes of narcotics during coordinated operations across several states.
The agency disclosed the development in a statement issued by its Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, highlighting a series of intelligence-led operations that resulted in multiple arrests and significant drug recoveries.
According to the statement, NDLEA operatives uncovered 3 kilograms of ketamine and 199 grams of MDMA, commonly known as Ecstasy, hidden inside water purifier machines at a courier facility in Lagos on May 26.
The agency said the discovery formed part of ongoing efforts to dismantle drug trafficking networks and prevent the circulation of illegal substances within the country.
Major Seizures in Kaduna, Niger and Enugu
In Kaduna State, operatives arrested a couple, Musa Sunday and Mercy Sunday, along with another suspect, Salomi Ezekiel, after recovering 100 jumbo bags of cannabis, popularly known as skunk, weighing 1,246 kilograms from a residence in the Gonin Gora area.
During a separate operation along the Abuja-Kaduna Highway, officers intercepted a 30-year-old suspect identified as Sunusi Musa, who was allegedly transporting 380 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition to Katsina State.
The NDLEA said the suspect and recovered ammunition have been handed over to the appropriate security agency for further investigation.
In Niger State, operatives acting on intelligence raided a warehouse located in Gidan Kukah, Bosso Local Government Area, where they recovered an additional 457 kilograms of skunk. A suspect, Godwin Zakka, was arrested in connection with the seizure.
Meanwhile, in Enugu State, NDLEA officers intercepted a commercial vehicle travelling to Taraba State along the Onitsha-Enugu Expressway.
A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of 22,000 tramadol tablets, 100 ampoules of pentazocine and 200 grams of bromazepam. The agency confirmed the arrest of a suspect identified as James Maigari Wisdom.
Marwa Commends Operatives
Reacting to the successful operations, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mohamed Buba Marwa, commended officers involved in the seizures and arrests.
He urged personnel across the country to maintain the momentum in the fight against drug trafficking while intensifying public awareness campaigns on the dangers of drug abuse.
The agency noted that cannabis accounted for the largest portion of the narcotics recovered during the operations.
Ongoing Crackdown on Drug Networks
The latest seizures form part of the NDLEA’s wider campaign against drug trafficking and substance abuse across Nigeria.
In recent months, the agency has recorded several major successes, including the recovery of opioids worth billions of naira from warehouses in Lagos and the dismantling of large trafficking syndicates operating across different parts of the country.
Beyond enforcement activities, the NDLEA said it continues to promote its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative through sensitisation programmes in schools and communities across various states.
The agency reiterated its commitment to reducing drug supply and protecting communities from the dangers associated with illicit substances.
