NDLEA seizes codeine worth N1.1 billion in Rivers; arrests Lagos chief priest for drug trafficking

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has seized 338,200 bottles of codeine-based syrup worth more than N1.1 billion in street value.

NDLEA’s director of media and advocacy, Femi Babafemi, said in a statement on Sunday in Abuja that the seizures were made between Thursday and Friday at the Port Harcourt Ports Complex, Onne, Rivers.

He said the drugs were intercepted in two containers watch-listed by the agency following processed intelligence.

Mr Babafemi said the illicit consignments were discovered during a joint examination of the containers by NDLEA operatives, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), and other security agencies.

In a similar vein, Mr Babafemi said operatives of the anti-narcotic agency arrested and detained Bariu Aliyu (alias Malo), the traditional chief priest of Igunuko shrine, Alpha Beach, Ajah Lekki.

Mr Babafemi said he was nabbed on October 25, after over three months of manhunt for him.

He said 2,760kg skunk was recovered from him.

“Though two of his accomplices were earlier arrested at the shrine last year and had since been charged and convicted in court, Bariu was said to be the leader of the syndicate,” he said.

“Meanwhile, a suspect, Habibu Ya’u, 23, was nabbed by NDLEA’s officers who raided Gadar Tamburawa, Zaria road, Kano on Thursday,” he said.

Mr Babafemi said the operatives recovered 45 blocks of cannabis weighing 24.2kg and 40,800 pills of opioids, including tramadol, from him.

He quoted the NDLEA’s chairman, Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa(rtd) as commending the officers and men of PHPC, Lagos, and Kano commands for the arrests and seizures.

Mr Marwa stated that their operational successes and those of their compatriots across the country, especially their balanced approach to drug supply and drug demand reduction efforts, were well appreciated.