Troops bust international drug syndicate, recover truck, exhibits

The Nigerian Army said its troops of 192 Battalion Nigerian Army operating in 81 Division Area of Responsibility have intercepted a suspected international drug syndicate.

Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, Director Army Public Relations, said in a statement that the syndicate smuggled a truck load of substance suspected to be Cannabis Sativa (Marijuana) en route Sango Otta in Ogun State.

According to him, the success was attributed to intelligent information leading to stop and search operations along Ajilete Road in Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State, as they intercepted, impounded the suspected truck without Registration number, loaded with 397 wraps of substance suspected to be marijuana.

According to him, findings revealed that the illicit substance concealed in the truck were transported from Ghana through Benin Republic via Igholo-Idiroko en route Sango Otta, adding that the suspects conveying the illegal drugs have been identified as Mr Matthew Edegbe, a Benin Republic national and Mr Joshua Dansu of Idiroko, who are currently assisting in ongoing investigations.

He listed items recovered from the suspects as; truck’s Registration number identified as (T 1826 LA Lagos), which was detached and concealed in the vehicle to prevent identification, an Infinix and Itel phone, one iPhone; a Benin Republic National Identification card and a driver’s license belonging to one George Benyagbe, as well as the sum of N7,000.

“The suspects, vehicle and exhibits have been taken into custody, pending handing over to National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Lagos State Command,” it said

The Chief of Army Staff, Major General Taoreed Lagbaja, has commended the troops for their commitment and vigilance, just as he urged them to sustain the momentum to rid the country of criminality.