NDLEA arrests 72-year-old man, five Students over hard drugs

The Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 72-year-old man and five undergraduate students as suspects in a week-long operation carried out by the agency to seize hard drugs and arrest offenders.

The 72-year-old man, Emmanuel Akanbi was arrested with 2,050kg of Indian hemp at Odofin Camp, Uso, Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State, the university students belong to the American University of Nigeria, (AUN) Yola, and the University of Maiduguri while one Mr. Okorie Onyeribe was arrested at the airport attempting to export 21.85kg of Indian hemp concealed in foodstuffs to London.

The operation was carried out across nine states and the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Lagos. The agency through the raid intercepted a total 5,721.92 kilograms of Indian hemp and other drugs

Two students, Emmanuel Thlama and Jonah Joshua were arrested when the NDLEA operatives raided a settlement opposite Gate 4 of the University of Maiduguri intercepting 16.750kg of Indian hemp from them on 30th November while the three other students, Ekene Asher, Daniel Alkali and Emmanuel Smooth are undergraduates of AUN were also arrested for the same crime.

The NDLEA’s Director, Media and Advocacy, Mr Femi Babafemi who has made this disclosure has explained that their arrest followed a receipt of “Loud’’ a very strong variant of Indian hemp.

The NDLEA operatives has so far intercepted and arrested many persons over the case of drug abuse.

Mr. Feminist Babafemi recounting what has transpired so far during their raid said: “In Oyo State, operatives intercepted 608.40 kilograms of Indian hemp concealed in a black Toyota Sequoia SUV parked at the Toll Gate area on Ibadan-Ife Expressway, on Dec. 3.

“The following day, operatives equally seized 85.90 kilograms of Indian hemp from the boot of a Nissan Primera car and in an apartment at Adegbayi area in Ibadan.

“Those arrested in connection with the seizure include Benson Uzoka, 46; Kafayat Uzoka, 40; Ndidi Uzoka, 39 and Christopher Uzoka, 42,’’ Babafemi stated.”

The NDLEA had during its operation moved towards Kano, Rivers, Niger and Taraba as part of the nine states.

“In Niger state, operatives intercepted a commercial bus on Mokwa-Jebba Road laden with 215kg of Indian hemp concealed in a false bottom case and side door of the bus.

“Two suspects, the driver and his conductor claimed they loaded the consignment at Ogere, Ogun State and were heading to Sokoto.

“In Delta, a lady, Tina Ujene was arrested in Ibusa with 1.1kg Indian hemp and a follow-up raid on her supplier’s home led to the recovery of 54.7 kilograms of the same substance,’’ Babafemi added.