NDLEA smashes cocaine syndicate, recovers N2.1bn drug in Lagos raid
…Nabs Osun monarch, Chadian, youth corps member for drug trafficking
By Adeyanju Esther
National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have executed a successful operation targeting a high-profile cocaine syndicate based in Lagos. Led by Agbakoba John Mmadu, 54, and his wife Agbakoba Ijeoma Chinwe, 39, along with their associate Okoye Ifeoma Maryjane, 31, the syndicate was known for its extensive involvement in packaging, distributing, and trafficking cocaine within and outside Nigeria.
The raid, conducted by a specialised unit of the NDLEA following months of meticulous intelligence gathering and surveillance, resulted in significant seizures of the illicit drug.
On Wednesday, 3rd July 2024, a 54 years old Agbakoba John Mmadu was apprehended at Ago Palace Way, Okota, where operatives recovered seven parcels of cocaine weighing a total of 7.652 kilograms.
Simultaneously, Agbakoba Ijeoma Chinwe and Okoye Ifeoma Maryjane were nabbed at Plot 2205 Eugene Ndubisi Close, Lilly Estate, Amuwo Odofin area, with 122 compressed pellets of cocaine weighing 2.42kg. The combined seizure amounted to 10.1 kilograms valued at over N2.1 billion.
In Benue state on Thursday, 4th July 2024, NDLEA intercepted a consignment of 350 grams of cocaine concealed within an MP3 speaker at a checkpoint along Enugu Road, Otukpo. A subsequent operation at Flight Motor Park in Otukpo led to the arrest of the parcel’s owner, 25-year-old Odeh Anthony.
Further operations in Adamawa state on Wednesday, 3rd July 2024, resulted in the arrest of Yves Ahmat Gali, a Chadian national, found in possession of 20 compressed blocks and nine plastic containers of Loud cannabis weighing 5.200kg, concealed within a loudspeaker during a stop and search operation along Ngurore – Yola road.
In Kano on the same day, Yusuf Abdulrahman, 25, a youth corps member, was arrested at Corpers Lodge, Sumaila area, with 1.250kg of Loud cannabis. In Osun state, Ba’ale Ige Babatunde, 50, head of the Akarabata community in Ile-Ife, was arrested on Friday, 5th July 2024, with 5kg of fresh cannabis plants.
NDLEA operatives raided Ikota forest in Ifedore LGA, Ondo state, arresting Monday Ali, 49, and Jimoh Alewi, 37, during a five-day operation that ended on Monday, 1st July 2024. The raid resulted in the destruction of 42,500kg of cannabis and recovery of 73.5kg of the substance for prosecution.
In Abuja, FCT, on Saturday, 6th July 2024, NDLEA arrested Sanusi Mamman, 28, and Usaini Ibrahim, 20, with a significant cache of opioids including 1,132 bottles of codeine syrup, 13,540 pills of tramadol, 50,000 pills of diazepam, and 59 pills of rohypnol. The suspects claimed the drugs originated from Onitsha, Anambra state.
The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended the officers and commands involved for their diligent efforts in reducing drug supply while emphasising the importance of simultaneous drug abuse sensitization under the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative.
Throughout the past week, NDLEA commands across Nigeria continued their WADA sensitisation activities in schools, worship centres, workplaces, and communities, aiming to raise awareness about the perils of drug abuse.
