Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) conducted a successful “Stop-and-Search” operation on the Lokoja-Abaji Highway, resulting in the discovery of counterfeit $20 million. NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, provided details about the operation and subsequent arrests in Abuja.
According to the statement, the fake currencies were found in a bus traveling from Lagos to Abuja. The driver of the bus, Onyebuchi Nlebedim (53), was arrested in connection with the counterfeit money. In a separate raid on August 17, Jude Ndubuisi (52) was apprehended with 2.2 kg of methamphetamine at Kabusa village in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Notably, Ndubuisi had previously been arrested on July 7, 2022, for possessing 20.75 kg of Indian hemp. Despite being on court bail for the earlier offense, he was arrested again for another drug-related crime.
Another operation targeted two well-known drug hubs in the FCT, “Dei-Dei” and Tora-Bora Hills. This operation led to the seizure of 82.8 kg of skunk, 1.8 kg of Rohypnol, and 1.2 kg of diazepam on August 16.
In Osun State, NDLEA operatives took action to destroy clusters of Indian hemp plantations spanning around 3.5 hectares in Mopatedo, Ifedayo Local Government Area. Two suspects, Sunday Otogbo (40) and Peter Makra (35), were arrested at the scene. Additional quantities of Indian hemp and Indian hemp seeds were also recovered from the site.
Three suspects, Ndubuisi Okorie (44), Ebilima Emmanuel (38), and Okechukwu Smart (40), were arrested in connection with 168 kg of Indian hemp. Their vehicle was intercepted on the Owerri-Onitsha Expressway during the operation.
Another shipment containing 6,000 capsules of tramadol, 1,200 tablets of “swinol,” 155 bottles of codeine syrup, and 20 tablets of Molly was seized on the same road on August 13. This led to the arrest of Remigius Ogechukwu (33), the owner of the consignment, during a follow-up operation in the Oyigbo area of Port Harcourt.
Furthermore, a teenager named Boniface Odinakachukwu (19) was apprehended with 99.4 kg of skunk at Isikwe Road, Achi, in the Oji-River Local Government Area of Enugu State on August 18. Lastly, a 19-year-old wanted bandit, Aliyu Mohammed Altine, was arrested by NDLEA operatives on Illela-Sokoto Road with wraps of skunk on August 17. Altine was on the police’s wanted list and has been handed over to Sokoto State police for further investigation.