…As NDLEA Destroys 13,198 Kilograms Skunk In Edo Forests….Bursts Drug Repackaging Factory In Katsina Village….Recovers 86,000 Pills Of Opioid, Arrests Four
OPERATIVES of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a Lekki-based businessman and proprietor of Damillionz Takeout, Arokodare Damil Ebenezer in connection with the shipment of 60 parcels of Loud, a strong strain of cannabis, from the United States of America to Nigeria.
The 43-year-old businessman was arrested at Bay Lounge, Admiralty Way, Lekki area of Lagos on Monday 24th of March 2025 where he did his illicit drug business while he was expecting to take the delivery of his latest drug consignment. His arrest followed the seizure of his cargo that arrived in Nigeria in seven big cartons at a logistics company in Lagos on 12th March by NDLEA operatives of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation.
After his arrest, he was taken to his Lekki home for a search during which 94 grams of the same psychoactive substance, cannabis crusher and other drug paraphernalia were recovered. This brings the total weight of the drug seized from him to 32.24 kilograms.
In his statement, he claimed he started the illicit drug business in 2017.
Attempt by another businessman Omoruyi Terry to export 1,400 pills of tramadol 225mg weighing 800 grams to Italy has also been thwarted by NDLEA officers at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja Lagos. Omoruyi was intercepted at the screening point of Terminal 2 of the Lagos airport on his way to Italy via a Qatar Airways flight. Investigation reveals the suspect is an Italy-based frequent traveller and logistics agent.
In Katsina, four suspects: Baraka Abubakar, 40; Haruna Alitine, 23; Muhammad Babangida, 20; and Hamisu Lawal were arrested on Friday 28th March during an intelligence-led raid operation at Godai Village in Daura Local Government Area where 684 blocks of compressed skunk, a strain of cannabis weighing 423kg and 86,000 pills of diazepam were recovered from them. The three male suspects were arrested while repackaging the diazepam tablets into other containers while Baraka, the female suspect was apprehended with heaps of skunk in her house.
Not less than 13,198 kilograms of cannabis sativa were destroyed in Edo forests across parts of the state between Monday 24th and Friday 28th March by NDLEA operatives who also evacuated 158kg of the same substance for possible prosecution. The forests where no fewer than four cannabis plantations were discovered and destroyed include Uhen Forest, Ovia North East Local Government Area; Sobe, Owan West Local Government Area; and Amahor Forest in Igueben Local Government Area.
In Niger State, NDLEA officers on patrol along Mokwa-Jebba Road on Friday 28th March intercepted a black Toyota Corolla car marked SLM 137 SV and arrested the two occupants in possession of 179 blocks of a compressed skunk with a total weight of 77.6kg concealed in the false bottom of the vehicle. The two suspects are: Paul Christopher, 46, and Lucky Star Anumie.
In another operation, a 50kg skunk was on Saturday 29th March recovered from the home of a suspect, Isa Iliya, who is currently at large, in Wawa Village, Borgu council area of the state.
While 108.5kg of skunk was recovered from lockup shops at Aria New Market, in Enugu metropolis, Enugu State by NDLEA operatives on Tuesday 25th March, 25kg of same substance was seized from a suspect Abdulrazak Saka at Kilako Area of Ilorin, Kwara State on Monday 24th March. Another suspect Suli Saheed, 50, was nabbed with 2.5 kilograms of Ghanaian Loud and 515 grams of Colorado, at the Olomi Academy area of Ibadan, Oyo State. 
With the same vigour, Commands and formations of the agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA), sensitisation activities to schools, worship centres, workplaces and communities among others in the past week. These include WADA sensitisation lecture to students and staff of Blessed Martins International School, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State; Model Ideal College, Enugu; Oto-Awori Senior Secondary School, Ijanikin, Lagos State; and Command Secondary School, Numan, Adamawa State, among others.
Eighteen-Eleven Media