On Friday, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) arrested over 60 individuals at a drug party in Abuja. Organized by Stanley Ikechukwu, the party saw the arrest of 25 males and 35 females.
In a statement released on Sunday, NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi confirmed the arrests, noting that at least six suspects were found with various drugs. Babafemi stated, “In Abuja, NDLEA operatives on Friday night disrupted a drug party dubbed ‘Go hard or Go Home. Pick Your Poison,’ arresting 60 suspects at an apartment in Sun City estate. The operation followed credible intelligence about the event organized by Stanley Ikechukwu, who was arrested at the venue. Among the suspects were Victoria Adoga, Hamza Yari, Joanne Joy, Socchima Valentine, Jago Imole, and Charles Indobuibisi, who were caught with ecstasy and cannabis.”
Babafemi also mentioned that NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen Buba Marwa (retd.) ordered the unconditional release of 20 suspects who tested negative for drugs. Meanwhile, 33 others who tested positive were released on bail and are required to report to the agency’s FCT command for treatment and counseling starting Monday.
In a separate development, NDLEA operatives intercepted 6,125 cartons of codeine worth N7.3 billion. The statement revealed, “NDLEA has seized 6,125 cartons of codeine syrup containing 1,050,000 bottles valued at over N7,350,000,000 at the Port Harcourt Ports complex, Onne, Rivers State. The seizure from six containers on June 29, 2024, was the third in four weeks, following intelligence and tracking by a special NDLEA unit in collaboration with the Port Harcourt Ports Command and other security agencies, including Customs, for a comprehensive examination of the containers. The operation recovered 6,125 cartons containing 1,050,000 bottles of codeine syrup weighing 157,500 kilograms.”
Additionally, NDLEA officers at Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport arrested two passengers on a Qatar Airways flight to Doha on June 21, 2024. The suspects, Aikhomoun Daniel (alias Oladapo Olanrewaju) and Ayigoro Waheed Omobolaji, tested positive for ingesting illicit substances. Daniel expelled 90 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.022kg, while Ayigoro discharged 60 wraps weighing 662 grams. Further investigation revealed Daniel had stolen his late uncle’s identity to obtain a Schengen visa for travel to Europe; his real name is Oladapo Olanrewaju.
Babafemi also noted the recovery of 40.32kg of Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, from a black Toyota Tacoma truck on Lekki-Ikoyi road. The driver abandoned the vehicle upon noticing NDLEA operatives trailing him.
In Edo State, NDLEA operatives arrested four suspects in a deep forest for cultivating cannabis. “No fewer than four suspects: Endurance Okon, 24; Joseph Michael, 23; Ovoco Bright, 43; and Goday Abanum, 23, were arrested in the deep forest of Ugun, Igueben LGA, Edo State on Saturday 29th June when NDLEA operatives raided and destroyed 18,632.22 kg of cannabis,” Babafemi said.