ABUJA, Nigeria (Chatnewstv.com) — Nigerian drug enforcement agents have arrested a major drug supplier to bandits operating in Niger state, three weeks after he escaped an initial raid, and have seized large quantities of illicit substances, including overseas-bound opioids concealed in black soap containers and designer clothing.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) announced Sunday that 33-year-old Mohammed Sani, also known by his alias “Gamboli,” was apprehended Thursday, Dec. 11, at a drug joint in Anguwan Fadama, Kuta, Niger state.
Gamboli, who intelligence reports indicate is a key supplier of illicit drugs to armed bandits in the Shiroro local government area, had evaded arrest during a Nov. 20 raid on his home in Anguwan Makera, Kuta, where operatives recovered 471.8 kilograms of skunk, a strain of cannabis.
“The manhunt for him eventually paid off on Thursday when NDLEA officers acting on processed intelligence traced and arrested him at one of his drug joints,” the agency stated.
Factory Uncovered, Overseas Shipments Seized
In other significant operations across the country, NDLEA operatives achieved multiple high-profile busts:
Codeine Factory Uncovered: On Thursday, Dec. 11, operatives raided a clandestine codeine syrup-manufacturing factory in Amapu Igbengwo village, Umuakpara, Abia state. The operation resulted in the recovery of 9,015 bottles of codeine syrup, weighing 1,152.2 kilograms.
International Opioids Intercepted: NDLEA agents at two major courier companies in Lagos seized six different consignments containing 907 pills of tramadol, tapentadol, cocodamol, amitriptyline, and bromazepam. The drugs, destined for the U.S., Canada, and Sweden, were ingeniously concealed in containers of local black soap and designer clothing.
Mother and Son Arrested in Skunk Seizure: In Ondo state, a Monday, Dec. 10 raid in Ogbese, Akure North local government area, led to the arrest of 55-year-old Veronica Obi and her 29-year-old son, Bright Obi. The agency recovered 1,187 kilograms of skunk and its seeds from the compound.
Massive Codeine Seizure at Port: At the Apapa seaport in Lagos on Saturday, Dec. 13, NDLEA officers, in a joint examination with Customs and other security agencies, intercepted a container holding 170,000 bottles of codeine syrup, weighing 23,579 kilograms.
NDLEA Chief Praises Operatives
In response to the series of major arrests and seizures, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), commended the officers.
“I commend the officers and men of DOGI, Niger, Abia, Oyo, Enugu, Seme, Ogun, Ondo, Gombe, Apapa, and Edo Commands for the arrests, seizures and their dexterity,” Marwa said. He also encouraged his personnel nationwide “to continue with the ongoing balanced approach to the drug control efforts of the Agency.”
The NDLEA also continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization campaigns, conducting lectures and advocacy visits across various schools, worship centers, and communities throughout the past week.
