ABUJA, Nigeria (Chatnewstv.com) — A 75-year-old man and a suspected cannabis farmer were among dozens arrested nationwide last week as Nigeria’s anti-narcotics agency announced the destruction of nearly 178,750 kilograms of skunk in Taraba State.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said Sunday that operatives stormed a 71.5-hectare cannabis farm in Mayodoga forest, Sardauna local council, where 30-year-old Alfa Andrew was arrested with a Dane gun.
“Our operatives working with the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Forest Security Service, Mambila Youth Vanguard and Vigilante destroyed the massive farm and took Andrew into custody,” NDLEA spokesman Femi Babafemi said in a statement.
The agency also disclosed that a 75-year-old grandfather, Uchelue Ikechukwu, was caught with 26.7 kilograms of skunk in Umudioka, Anambra State. Five others were arrested in the state with varying quantities of opioids and cannabis.
In Kaduna, NDLEA officers intercepted 104,900 tramadol capsules hidden in a fuel tanker at the Abuja–Kaduna tollgate, an operation the agency said may have prevented drugs from reaching insurgents in Borno State. A suspect, Hassan Buba, was detained, while another man was caught with 34 kilograms of skunk at a Zaria checkpoint.
In Maiduguri, NDLEA arrested Uchenna Umeh, 33, described as a major opioid supplier, seizing 30,640 tramadol pills, nearly 8,000 rohypnol tablets and ₦7.9 million in cash.
Other raids yielded large drug seizures across the country:
Nasarawa State: Two suspects caught with more than 109,000 pills of tramadol, diazepam and codeine concealed in a freezer.
Adamawa and Gombe States: Over 15,000 tramadol capsules hidden in animal feed sacks; 79 blocks of skunk weighing 58 kilograms seized from a vehicle carrying pepper.
Kano State: More than 250,000 exol-5 tablets and 25 kilograms of skunk seized in separate arrests.
Edo State: 64,250 pills of opioids intercepted in a commercial bus heading to Kogi State.
Ondo and Lagos States: Nearly 300 kilograms of processed cannabis and seeds seized; suspects arrested in Mushin and Ondo camps.
Ekiti State: A raid in Ado-Ekiti led to the arrest of a drug kingpin, Ajayi Ayodeji Idowu, also known as Atiku, with 5.3 kilograms of Loud and Colorado, two potent cannabis strains, as well as methamphetamine.
The NDLEA chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd.), commended officers for the nationwide seizures and arrests.
“Our men and women across the country have remained relentless, not just in interdiction but also in delivering sensitization messages under the War Against Drug Abuse campaign,” Marwa said.
The agency said awareness programs were held in schools, churches, palaces and workplaces in Anambra, Ebonyi, Lagos and Ogun states as part of its prevention drive.
