The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted a truck carrying more than 320,000 tramadol capsules hidden beneath building materials in Taraba State, and arrested a 75-year-old suspect in Ebonyi State as part of a series of nationwide operations.
Taraba Interception
On Saturday, NDLEA operatives stopped a vehicle at Nukkai Timber Shade in Jalingo, Taraba State. The truck, which appeared to be transporting building materials from Onitsha to Jalingo, was found to conceal a large quantity of drugs beneath the cargo. The seizure included 320,840 tramadol capsules, 600 ampoules of pentazocine injection, 4,500 Rohypnol tablets, and 299 bottles of codeine-based cough syrup. The driver's assistant, 22-year-old Buhari Abdullahi, was arrested at the scene.
Arrest of 75-Year-Old in Ebonyi
In a separate operation, NDLEA operatives arrested Okebe Samuel, a 75-year-old man, in Okposi, Ebonyi State. Samuel was found in possession of 300 grams of cannabis packaged in retail sachets, allegedly being sold to young people in the community. NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa used the arrest to emphasize that the agency would pursue drug traffickers regardless of age or method of concealment.
Operations in Other States
In Imo State, a raid in Umulolo, Orlu, led to the arrest of 32-year-old Chioma Okeke with eight kilograms of cannabis. In Edo State, separate operations in Benin City on June 2 resulted in four arrests, including three women, with seizures of cannabis, methamphetamine, and a strain known as Scottish Loud. In Kano, a 19-year-old suspect was caught with 38 kilograms of compressed cannabis in the Madobi area on June 4. In Gombe, another suspect was intercepted near Dantiti Plaza with 15,000 tramadol capsules.
School Sensitization Campaign
Alongside enforcement operations, the NDLEA continued its school sensitization campaign, reaching students in Oyo, Lagos, Anambra, and Kano states. Marwa described this dual approach as balancing supply reduction with demand reduction, commending the commands involved and vowing to continue pursuing trafficking networks.
