Operatives of the Lagos State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and military officers have again conducted raid in search of drug barons and their drugs. The joint operation embarked upon at the weekend was very successful as fifteen suspected drug traffickers were apprehended with 680.266kg of narcotic drugs mainly cannabis. Among the recovered drugs were 316 grammes of methamphetamine and 200 grammes of heroin while others are cannabis.
The areas covered by the raid are Akala and Akerele Agege, Lagos. The NDLEA Lagos Commander, Mr Aliyu Sule said that the operation was in response to intelligence report received on the affected locations. “We daily collect and process information on the activities of drug traffickers and conduct raid when it is expedient. The total weight of drugs seized is 680.266kg. Those apprehended are being investigated and very soon they will be charged to court” Aliyu stated.
The Army Commander in charge of 9 Brigade, Brigadier General Adeniyi Oyebade has assured the NDLEA that he will always provide army officers whenever their support is required. In his words, “the Nigeria Army will continue to lend its support to the anti-drug campaign. The level of success anytime we go on joint operations encourages us to deepen our relationship with the NDLEA” Oyebade stated.
NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive, Ahmadu Giade thanked the Brigade Commander for his continuous support to the Agency. “The support from the Nigeria Army is commendable. We shall continue to conduct similar raid operations on locations where drugs are sold and abused. This partnership with the Army shall be sustained and strengthened. The last joint operation we carried out in June 2013, led to the seizure of 3,166.15kg and arrests of 47 suspects. The Agency will not relent in this all-important fight against the scourge of narcotics” Giade stated.
The NDLEA boss explained that experts are of the opinion that criminal acts like rape, murder, armed robbery and terrorism are aggravated by substance abuse. He also urged members of the public to be vigilant and report suspected drug cases to the nearest NDLEA office.
