Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested two wanted drug lords and seized a multi-billion-naira worth of illicit drugs following weeks of intelligence-led operations within and outside Nigeria. The arrests were made at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, after the agency intercepted consignments of cocaine and heroin destined for Paris, France, and Doha, Qatar.
The arrested drug lords were identified as Hakeem Babatunde Salami, the leader of the “Tajudeen Babatunde Abioye Transnational Criminal Organisation,” and Okafor Ikechukwu Williams. The drug lords had concealed cocaine and heroin in their bellies, and they were part of transnational criminal organizations involved in the illicit trade of narcotics such as cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and ephedrine between Nigeria, Brazil, Ghana, South Africa, Mozambique, and Europe.
In addition to the arrests, the NDLEA seized assets belonging to the traffickers, including luxury vehicles, and sealed their residences. The agency also reported the arrest of two other traffickers who had ingested pellets of cocaine.
The NDLEA continues to focus on reducing drug supply through its operations while conducting advocacy campaigns under the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative to raise awareness about the dangers of drug abuse. NDLEA Chairman and CEO, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), commended the efforts of the agency’s commands and personnel and reiterated their commitment to combat drug trafficking in the country.
