By IBIRONKE ARIYO

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested three transnational traffickers with 558,000 pills of tramadol following credible intelligence.

The Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, Mr Femi Babafemi said this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

Giving a breakdown, Babafemi said that two nationals of Benin Republic as well as a Nigerian were arrested on June 21.

He said that they were nabbed on the Mile 2 bridge when their truck conveying illicit drug consignment from Togo through Benin Republic was intercepted.

“A thorough search of the truck led to the recovery of 558,900 pills of Tramadol 250mg, concealed in a fabricated compartment of the vehicle.

“Two suspects were also arrested along Lagos–Ibadan expressway on Friday, June 26 while transporting 118kg skunk among other legitimate goods in a truck, which left Ebute Ero area of Lagos Island, heading to Onitsha, Anambra State,” he said.

Meanwhile, operatives of a Special Operations Unit of NDLEA on Saturday, June 27 acting on credible intelligence, arrested a 57-year-old at a motor park in Iddo, Lagos with 209.50kg Scottish Loud, a strong strain of cannabis.

Babafemi said that the illicit consignment was being taken to Enugu when it was intercepted.

In another operation in Lagos, Babafemi said that two women were arrested the same Friday, June 26 at 15 Olumokun Street, Amukoko, with 28.8 kilograms of skunk recovered from them.

He said that investigation revealed that the principal suspect stored her illicit consignments with the second suspect from where she distributed to her customers.

With the same zeal, Babafemi said that commands and formations of the agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation activities in schools.

This, he said, included worship centres, work places and communities among others in the past week.

“These are WADA enlightenment lectures for students and staff of Government Girls Science Secondary School, Damaturu, Yobe; Adesalu Primary School, Ibeju Lekki, Lagos.

“Also, Government Girls Secondary School, Badawa, Kano; School of Science and Islamic Studies, Ankpa, Kogi; and Community Secondary School, Ezimo, Udenu LGA, Enugu state, among others,” he said.

The NDLEA Chairman, retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa has commended the officers and men of the SOUs, Anambra, and Lagos commands of the agency for the arrests and seizures.

Marwa noted their drug supply reduction efforts balanced with WADA sensitisation activities while he charged them and their compatriots across the country not to rest on their oars. (NAN)

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