Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) intercepted a massive shipment of 396,000 capsules of tramadol at the Aliyu Mustapha International Airport, Yola, on Friday. This significant seizure follows closely after the agency recovered over 171,000 capsules of the drug in Niger, Benue, and Taraba states less than a week prior. NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi announced the development on Sunday, confirming the arrest of a 50-year-old suspect, Ahmed Isyaku Nda, in connection with the crime.
The statement added details of another operation: “785kg of skunk was evacuated from the warehouse of a drug dealer currently at large at Asob Maraba Karu, Nasarawa state.”
In a related development, NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi confirmed the arrest of Frank Chijioke Ibemesi (42), a wanted drug baron who had been operating under the guise of a businessman and hotelier. Ibemesi, identified as the MD/CEO of Franc CJ Ibemesi Nig. Ltd., was apprehended in the early hours of Saturday at his Daisy Garden Hotel on Ago Palace Way, Isolo, Lagos. Following the arrest, operatives raided his warehouse at 7 Pius Ezeobi Street, Isolo, recovering a massive haul of 1,762.8 kilograms of Loud (a potent strain of cannabis) packed in 42 jumbo bags and four cartons.
Babafemi noted that currency seized from Ibemesi at the time of his arrest included $11,600, £2,000, €2,200, and C$50 in cash.
In a separate, major operation, the NDLEA spokesperson disclosed that a drug syndicate was foiled in the Orita-Apeje, Araromi-Okeodo forest reserve in Ife South LGA, Osun State. Following days of surveillance, the attempt to distribute a massive 11,135 kilograms of processed skunk was thwarted on Tuesday. Two trucks used for transporting the illicit consignment—a Volvo (WWR 29 XA) and a Mercedes (AWK 713 YZ)—were seized, and seven suspects were arrested: Lucky Abiodun, Julius Amos, Victor Ngbikili, Sunday Oduegwu, Ibrahim Akanni, Eze Godstime, and Fred Ifeanyichukwu.
NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd.), commended the officers for their efforts and urged personnel nationwide to continue the agency’s balanced and coordinated drug control strategy.
