The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested an 85-year-old grandmother, Grace Ehimeka, with 179 kilogrammes of cannabis in Edo State, as operatives of the agency uncovered 8,725kg of powdered tramadol worth over ₦6.98 billion at the Apapa Port in Lagos.
Key Highlights
- 85-year-old Grace Ehimeka arrested with 179kg of cannabis in Owan East, Edo State.
- 8,725kg of tramadol powder worth over ₦6.98bn seized at Apapa Port, declared as maize starch.
- Cannabis hidden in palm oil intercepted on a Jeddah-bound flight in Kano.
- 7,500kg of cannabis destroyed on a three-hectare farm in Ondo.
- Arrests and seizures in Lagos, Edo, Ondo, Bauchi, Kano, Kaduna and the FCT.
The agency also intercepted a Saudi Arabia-bound consignment of cannabis concealed in a gallon of palm oil at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, and seized large quantities of illicit drugs in operations across several states.
The nationwide operations, conducted between October 12 and 17, also led to the arrest of dozens of suspects and the recovery of cannabis, tramadol, diazepam injections, Molly tablets and other controlled substances in Lagos, Edo, Ondo, Bauchi, Kano and Kaduna States and the Federal Capital Territory.
Grandmother, Five Others Arrested in Edo
According to a statement issued on Sunday by Femi Babafemi, NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Ehimeka was arrested during raids in Warake, Ivhiaro and Ewe/Irue communities in Owan East Local Government Area of Edo State, between October 15 and 16.
She was allegedly found in possession of 179kg of cannabis at Warake.
Five other suspects were arrested during the operations, including Ayo Aigberadion, allegedly found with 220.8kg of cannabis at Ewe/Irue; Ali Garba, with 5.852kg; Habib Braimoh, with 100 grammes; Musa Mubid, with 2kg of cannabis, cannabis seeds, tramadol, Swinol and diazepam; and Hope Okoro, with 237 grammes of Canadian Loud.
Cannabis in Palm Oil at Kano Airport
In Kano State, NDLEA operatives intercepted a female passenger, Fatimah Ahmad, during the outward clearance of an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, via Addis Ababa, on Friday, October 16.
The officers allegedly discovered 511.75 grammes of cannabis concealed in a gallon of palm oil she was carrying.
Ahmad reportedly told investigators that her cousin, Abubakar Yahaya, had given her the gallon. Yahaya was subsequently arrested at the airport car park, according to the agency.
₦6.98bn Tramadol Seized at Apapa
At the Apapa Port in Lagos, NDLEA operatives, working with the Nigeria Customs Service and other agencies, uncovered 8,725kg of powdered tramadol imported from India and declared as maize starch.
The shipment was discovered on October 2 at the APM terminals, while the drugs were separated from their concealment on October 14.
The consignment comprised 349 bags of tramadol hydrochloride powder, with a reported street value of more than ₦6.98 billion. Laboratory tests by the NDLEA confirmed the substance was tramadol hydrochloride powder.
In another operation at the Tin Can Island Port in Lagos on October 12, operatives discovered 55kg of Canadian Loud, valued at ₦165 million, concealed inside a Toyota Sienna vehicle shipped in a 40-foot container. The drugs were reportedly packed in brown cartons.
At Idumota Market in Lagos, operatives arrested Elizabeth Chidera Kalu on October 14 and recovered 10,600 ampoules of diazepam injection and 6,500 tablets of Molly from her store.
The following day, two 35-year-old men, Idowu Daudu and Ahmed Oniyinde, were arrested in Mushin with 59.95kg and 61.23kg of cannabis, respectively.
In a separate operation along Iyana Oba, operatives intercepted a truck allegedly conveying illicit drugs from Trade Fair Market.
Two suspects, identified as Tajudeen Adeduntan, a loading manager, and his assistant, Azeez Sikiru, were arrested. A search of the truck led to the recovery of 18,000 tablets of tramadol 250mg concealed in cartons labelled as Rambo insecticide.
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Cannabis Farm Destroyed in Ondo
In Ondo State, NDLEA operatives raided a cannabis farm in the Okemoro Isinbode camp forest on Saturday, October 17, and destroyed 7,500kg of cannabis cultivated on three hectares of land.
Five suspects were arrested during the operation: Asikpo Ekpeyoung, Solomon Okpani, Ubong Friday, Joseph Friday and Ekenimi Seth.
The agency also recovered 92 bags of cannabis weighing 1,267kg, 11kg of cannabis seeds and 3kg of fresh cannabis stems, bringing the total weight of the seized exhibits to 1,281kg.
In a separate operation in the Ameyinti area of Owo, operatives arrested 53-year-old Okunebe Ndidi on October 16 and recovered 25 bags of cannabis weighing 375kg from his hideout.
Seizures in Bauchi, Kano, Kaduna and Abuja
In Bauchi State, operatives intercepted a Volkswagen Golf wagon driven by 35-year-old Shamsu Garba at Ragwam village, Katagum Local Government Area, on October 14.
A search of the vehicle allegedly led to the recovery of 894,800 pills and tablets of tramadol capsules and Exol-5.
On the same day, operatives patrolling the Bauchi-Gombe Road recovered 291 blocks of cannabis weighing 265kg from an abandoned vehicle at Tudun Natsira village.
In Kano State, two suspects, Ali Abdullahi and Ibrahim Adamu, were arrested along the Zaria-Kano Road on October 13 with 30,100 tablets of tramadol 225mg.
Another suspect, Murtala Dayyabu, was arrested at Niger Street, Malan Kato, on October 14 with 100,000 tablets of Exol-5.
In Kaduna State, a raid at Kayimi village led to the arrest of Mohammed Sani, Zaharadeen Shafiu and Yakubu Abdullahi, with 496.5kg of cannabis.
Another suspect, John Ayo David, was arrested at Food Palace, Ali Akilu Road, Kaduna, with 49,500 tablets of tramadol 225mg.
In Abuja, NDLEA operatives arrested Odo Jonas Ejike at Utako on Saturday, October 17, with 29,500 capsules of tramadol.
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