In a victory for Nigeria’s war against drug trafficking, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has seized 338,200 bottles of codeine-based syrup, valued at over ₦1.1 billion in street worth. The monumental interception was made at the Port Harcourt Ports Complex in Onne, Rivers State, between Thursday and Friday, according to a statement issued on Sunday by Mr. Femi Babafemi, the NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy.
The operation, which was the result of meticulous intelligence gathering, involved joint efforts by NDLEA operatives, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), and other security agencies. The two containers housing the illicit consignments had been flagged for monitoring, and during a coordinated examination, the drugs were discovered and confiscated.
The crackdown extended beyond Rivers State. In Lagos, the NDLEA achieved another milestone with the arrest of Bariu Aliyu, also known as “Malo,” the traditional chief priest of the Igunuko Shrine in Alpha Beach, Ajah, Lekki. Aliyu had been on the run for over three months, evading capture following the arrest and conviction of two of his accomplices last year.
The NDLEA described Aliyu as the mastermind behind a syndicate responsible for trafficking substantial quantities of illicit drugs. During his arrest on October 25, operatives recovered a staggering 2,760 kilograms of skunk from him, solidifying his reputation as a significant player in the drug trade.
In another development, NDLEA operatives raided a drug hub at Gadar Tamburawa, Zaria Road, Kano, on Thursday. This operation led to the arrest of Habibu Ya’u, a 23-year-old suspect caught with 45 blocks of cannabis weighing 24.2 kilograms and 40,800 pills of opioids, including tramadol.
Brigadier-General Buba Marwa (Retd.), Chairman of the NDLEA, commended the officers and men involved in these high-profile operations. He emphasized the agency’s dual approach to tackling drug trafficking, balancing supply reduction with demand reduction efforts.
“These operational successes are a testament to the dedication of our officers across the country,” Marwa stated. “Their unyielding commitment to ridding our nation of illicit drugs is evident, and we will continue to support them in every way possible.”
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It is worth noting that beyond the headlines of seizures and arrests lies the saddening reality of the damage these drugs inflict on communities and families. Codeine-based syrup and opioids have been linked to a surge in addiction rates among Nigerian youth, fueling mental health crises and social instability.
It bears mentioning that as the NDLEA intensifies its efforts, the agency’s recent successes send a clear message to drug traffickers: their days are numbered.
