National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has arrested a commercial bus conveying N3.2million counterfeit cash owned by three suspects, among them an eight-month pregnant woman, Favour Peter, 24.
Others are Esther Adukwu, 27, and Ochigbo Michael, 39, who were arrested at Jabi park in Abuja in a follow up operation on April 9, following the seizure of the fake naira notes in Lokoja, Kogi State.
According to a statement Sunday by NDLEA Director, Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi:
“This is even as NDLEA officers in collaboration with men of the Nigerian Navy Ship Lugard base, Lokoja intercepted 37-year-old Aliyu Lawal along Lokoja-Abuja road on April 8, and recovered 620 blocks of cannabis weighing 310kg from him.
“Also, 10 sacks of the same psychoactive substance weighing 98kg were seized along Okene-Lokoja-Abuja express way by NDLEA operatives from Jama Obodo, 44, in a commercial bus coming from Ilesha, Osun state enroute Taraba state on April 10.
“In Cross River state, a 40-year-old widow and mother of two, Mrs. Theodora Ita was on April 8, arrested at Bassey Edom, Calabar, by NDLEA operatives for producing and selling a lethal new psychoactive substance, NPS, locally called ‘Combine’, which is a mixture of different strains of cannabis and opioids soaked in raw gin.
“As at the time of her arrest, 18 litres of the dangerous substance in used paint drums were recovered from her.
“In her statement, she claimed she started the illicit drug production and distribution in October 2023. Another suspect, Godwin Samuel, 48, was apprehended at Essit Ebum area of Calabar with 39.4kg of cannabis sativa on April 9.
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“While two suspects: Sani Mohammed, 43, and Christopher Eze, 64, were arrested in Sabon Gari area of Kano on April 9, with 900,000 pills of opioid recovered from them.
“NDLEA operatives on patrol along Owerri-Onitsha road, Imo state on April 12, intercepted a logistics truck with registration number JGB 403XB and recovered 230 blocks of cannabis sativa weighing 119kg hidden under household items after a thorough search.
“No fewer than 252 kilograms of cannabis were seized during a raid at Ijesa Isu forest, Ekiti state on April 13, while four suspects: Adamu Umar, 39; Abdullahi Gimba, 27; Julius Uduakhomu, 28; and Micheal Sunday, 24, were nabbed loading 40kg of same substance to the engine compartment of a gas truck at Agho village, Owan East, Edo state.
“Two motorcycles used in conveying the consignment to where the gas truck heading to the North was parked, were also recovered.
“In Ogun state, a suspect, Ismaila Ogun was arrested on April 12, with 79kg cannabis at Imeko, while 18-year-old Friday Abah was nabbed with 410kg of the same substance when NDLEA operatives raided Obatedo camp, Itaogbolu forest, Akure North LGA, Ondo State,” the statement added.
