A fake policeman, a fake soldier, and a member of the National Youth Service Corps were among 663 suspected drug traffickers and users arrested when operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency raided notorious drug joints in Lagos, Abuja, Benue and other parts of the country.The NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, said on Sunday that during the raids, assorted illicit drugs weighing over 153, 256.876 kilogrammes were either destroyed or seized.
He said, “In Lagos, the notorious drug haven, Akala, in the Mushin area of the state, was on Friday, October 15, raided by a combined team of 70 NDLEA operatives and 30 soldiers in a joint operation codenamed, ‘Operation Still Waters.’ No less that 27 suspects were arrested, while various drugs such as cocaine, heroin, tramadol, rohypnol and cannabis, with a cumulative weight of 2,463.876kg were seized.
“A day earlier, the operatives also raided drug joints in Ojo and Maryland areas of the state, where six persons were arrested and different quantities of drugs seized.
This followed another raid on Alhaji Lasisi Street, Idioro, Mushin, as well as Okota in the Oshodi-Isolo area of the state, during which 12 suspects were arrested and over 165kg of assorted illicit drugs recovered.
“In Ogun State, operatives on Friday, October 15, intercepted one Williams Esuabom, along the Ore-Sagamu Expressway with 562.5kg cannabis being conveyed in a Toyota Sienna, while in Benue State, narcotic officers in a joint operation with soldiers raided Lafia Park, where six suspects, including a youth corps member, Paul Ndubuisi, were arrested with different quantities of drugs.
“This came on the heels of the arrest of a suspected fake soldier, Abel John, along the Apir-Makurdi-Aliade Road with 3.5kg cannabis on Wednesday, October 13.
“In Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, a suspected fake Assistant Superintendent of Police, Joshua Yusuf, who claimed to be serving in Kano, was arrested on the Gwagwalada Expressway, while conveying 45.5kg of cannabis.”
The Chairman and Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Marwa (retd.), called for continued collaboration between the agency and other stakeholders, especially the armed forces and other law enforcement agencies.