NDLEA Intercepts Massive Opioid Consignment in Taraba, Arrests 75-Year-Old Suspect and Female Drug Dealers Nationwide

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intensified its nationwide crackdown on illicit drug trafficking, intercepting a large consignment of opioids concealed in a truck transporting building materials in Taraba State and arresting several suspects, including a 75-year-old man in Ebonyi State and four female drug dealers in coordinated operations across the country.

According to the agency, the breakthrough in Taraba followed credible intelligence that led operatives to a truck conveying building materials from Onitsha, Anambra State, to Jalingo, the Taraba State capital.

A thorough search of the vehicle at the Nukkai Timber Shade in Jalingo uncovered a substantial quantity of illicit drugs hidden beneath the cargo. The suspect, 22-year-old Buhari Abdullahi, was immediately arrested.

NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, said the seized substances included large quantities of tramadol, rohypnol, and pentazocine injections, all commonly abused opioids and psychotropic drugs.

In a separate operation in Ebonyi State, operatives arrested a 75-year-old suspect, identified as Okebe Samuel, in Okposi community.

The agency said the elderly suspect was found in possession of 300 grams of skunk, a strain of cannabis, allegedly packaged in sachets for retail distribution to youths in the area.

The anti-narcotics agency also recorded significant successes in Imo and Edo states.

In Imo State, operatives raided a notorious drug enclave at Umulolo in Orlu Local Government Area, arresting 32-year-old Chioma Okeke and recovering eight kilograms of skunk.

Meanwhile, in Edo State, a series of raids on drug hotspots across Benin City resulted in the arrest of four suspected traffickers, including three women.

At Uyosa, Benin City, operatives apprehended Chioma Igba and Precious Ozomah with assorted illicit substances.

Another suspect, 21-year-old Anita Abraham, was arrested along Agbor Road with 95 grams of Scottish Loud and 329 grams of Loud, both high-grade cannabis variants.

At Upper Mission area of the city, 43-year-old Henry Okey was arrested with a cache of psychotropic substances, including Loud, Colorado, Swinol, and methamphetamine.

The agency’s operations extended to Kano State, where officers arrested 19-year-old Saifullahi Lawan at Kafi in Madobi Local Government Area. He was allegedly caught with 40 blocks of skunk weighing 38 kilograms.

Similarly, in Gombe State, NDLEA operatives intercepted 28-year-old Ugwu Ifebuchi near Dantiti Plaza in the Tumfure area of the state capital. The suspect was found in possession of 15,000 capsules of tramadol.

The latest arrests and seizures come as the NDLEA sustains its nationwide offensive against drug trafficking syndicates while simultaneously advancing its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign aimed at reducing substance abuse through public awareness, education, and community engagement.

The agency reaffirmed its commitment to disrupting drug supply networks and prosecuting offenders as part of ongoing efforts to curb the growing menace of illicit drug trafficking and abuse across Nigeria.