By Abidemi Samuel
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In a major breakthrough, operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a 48-year-old businessman, Orizu Ifeanyi Arthur, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) Abuja, for ingesting 74 wraps of heroin and cocaine. The suspect was attempting to board an Air France flight to Paris, France, when he was apprehended.
According to a statement by NDLEA Director, Media & Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, Orizu was arrested at the boarding gate of the Abuja Airport on Sunday, December 22, 2024, during the outward clearance of passengers on Air France. When he was asked to undergo a body scan, he refused, citing a medical condition. He was subsequently taken into custody for excretion observation, during which he excreted a total of 74 wraps of the Class A drugs over a period of seven days.
In his statement, Orizu claimed that he owns a shop at Balogun Market, Lagos Island, where he sells school and travelling bags. He alleged that he was promised €3,000 upon successful delivery of the consignment in Paris. Orizu had travelled from Lagos to Abuja to connect his Air France flight to Paris, hoping to evade detection.
In another significant operation, NDLEA operatives intercepted two boats loaded with 1,960 kilograms of Ghanaian Loud, a strong strain of cannabis, at the Eleko beach in Lekki area of Lagos. Six foreign nationals, including two Ghanaians and four Beninese, were arrested during the operation.
The suspects were identified as Godsway John, 38; Freedom Kelvin, 33; Chegoun Hounsou, 23; Gadabor Nyameto, 47; Adantg Sasa, 34; and Ayao Kayivi, 21. The operation was carried out by operatives of the Marine Command of NDLEA at 2:30 am on Christmas Eve, Tuesday, December 24.
In Katsina State, NDLEA operatives arrested a suspect, Ibrahim Shaibu, 35, in possession of 40 album-size parcels of compressed cannabis sativa weighing 35 kg on Christmas Day, December 25. Another suspect, Umar Ahmed, 47, was arrested along Zaria-Malumfashi road, Katsina, with 27 parcels of the same psychoactive substance weighing 13.5 kg on Saturday, December 28.
In Edo State, a 21-year-old suspect, Kosisochukwu Ozigbo, was arrested at New Lagos Road, Benin City, when the area was raided by NDLEA operatives on Monday, December 23. Recovered from the suspect were 32,490 pills of tramadol 225mg, 200mg, and 100mg; 936 bottles of codeine-based syrup; and various quantities of other opioids.
NDLEA Commands across the country have been conducting War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy campaigns in schools, markets, worship centers, and communities. These efforts aim to raise awareness about the dangers of drug abuse and promote a drug-free society.
Commending the efforts of the NDLEA operatives, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), tasked them to continue their offensive action against drug barons and cartels, while also intensifying WADA sensitization campaigns in the new year.
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