By Imisioluwa Afunmiso
Troops of the 65 Battalion, Nigerian Army, have intercepted a truck conveying a large consignment of illicit drugs along the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road, leading to the arrest of the driver.
The operation, carried out on July 9, followed actionable intelligence received from a credible source, according to a statement issued on Sunday by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 81 Division Nigerian Army, Lt.-Col. Musa Yahaya.
The statement disclosed that the intelligence-led operation resulted in the successful interception of the vehicle and the recovery of the suspected illicit drugs.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the consignment was being transported to the Berger area of Lagos State. However, the driver reportedly failed to provide satisfactory information on the ownership of the drugs or their intended recipient.
The Nigerian Army said the suspect and the recovered exhibits had been handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Lagos State Command, for further investigation and possible prosecution.
The handover was carried out by the Commanding Officer, 65 Battalion, Lt.-Col. S. Adeojo, in line with established procedures.
Reacting to the development, the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 81 Division Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Adebayo Babalola, commended the troops for their vigilance, professionalism and operational effectiveness.
He urged the personnel to sustain the momentum of ongoing operations and intensify efforts to deny drug traffickers and other criminal elements freedom of action within the 81 Division’s Area of Responsibility.
The interception forms part of the military’s ongoing efforts to support other security agencies in tackling organised crime and illicit drug trafficking within its operational area.