NDLEA Disrupts Major Cocaine Syndicate: Arrests Monarch and Corps Member
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled a significant cocaine syndicate operating out of Lagos, leading to the arrests of Agbakoba John Mmadu and his wife, Agbakoba Ijeoma Chinwe, along with their associate, Okoye Ifeoma Maryjane. The operation, based on extensive intelligence and surveillance, uncovered large quantities of cocaine intended for export and local distribution.
Agbakoba John Mmadu, 54, was apprehended at Ago Palace Way, Okota, while his wife, Ijeoma Chinwe, 39, and their stash keeper, Ifeoma Maryjane, 31, were detained at Plot 2205 Eugene Ndubisi Close, Lilly Estate, Amuwo Odofin. The raids, conducted on July 3, 2024, resulted in the seizure of 7.652 kilograms of cocaine from Mmadu and 2.42 kilograms from Ijeoma and Ifeoma, totaling 10.1 kilograms with an estimated street value of over N2.1 billion.
In a separate incident in Benue State, NDLEA officers intercepted 350 grams of cocaine concealed in an MP3 speaker at a checkpoint along Enugu Road, Otukpo, on July 4. The subsequent investigation led to the arrest of the parcel’s owner, 25-year-old Odeh Anthony, at Flight Motor Park in Otukpo.
Additionally, on July 3, a Chadian national, Yves Ahmat Gali, was arrested on the Ngurore-Yola road in Adamawa State. Gali was found with 5.2 kilograms of Loud, a potent cannabis strain, hidden in a loudspeaker while traveling from Kano to Yola.
In Kano, a youth corps member, Yusuf Abdulrahman, 25, was arrested on July 3 at Corpers Lodge in Sumaila with 1.25 kilograms of Loud. In Osun State, the head of Akarabata community in Ile-Ife, Ba’ale Ige Babatunde, 50, was detained on July 5 with 5 kilograms of fresh cannabis plants.
Further, NDLEA operatives raided Ikota Forest in Ifedore LGA, Ondo State, leading to the destruction of 42,500 kilograms of cannabis on 17 hectares of farmland. Two suspects, Monday Ali, 49, and Jimoh Alewi, 37, were arrested, and 73.5 kilograms of cannabis were seized for prosecution during the operation, which concluded on July 1.
In Abuja, on July 6, NDLEA officers arrested Sanusi Mamman, 28, and Usaini Ibrahim, 20, in a vehicle along the Abaji-Gwagwalada road with 1,132 bottles of codeine syrup, 13,540 tramadol pills, 50,000 diazepam pills, and 59 rophynol pills. The suspects claimed to be transporting the opioids from Onitsha, Anambra State.
The NDLEA also continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign with sensitization activities in various schools, worship centers, workplaces, and communities. These efforts included lectures at Community Grammar School in Ibadan, Candy Secondary School in Agu Awka, Community High School in Umuida, and the School for Arabic and Islamic Studies in Kano, among others.
NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended the officers for their efforts in drug supply reduction and WADA activities, urging them to sustain their momentum.
Femi Babafemi
Director, Media & Advocacy
NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja
Sunday, July 7, 2024
