…Uncovers Drug Hidden in Mannequins
In an Intensified move to flush the country of Drugs, an 80 year old ex convict, Jeremiah Isaiah Nkanta, has been rearrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for returning to illicit drug trafficking barely three years after serving a jail term for the same offence.
Nkanta, a native of Mmanta–Abak village in Abak Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, was first arrested by the NDLEA on December 14, 2022, prosecuted and sentenced to two years’ imprisonment by a Federal High Court sitting in Uyo.
However, acting on credible intelligence, NDLEA operatives on Saturday, January 10, 2025, tracked the octogenarian to his residence, where he was arrested with 5.7 kilograms of skunk, a strain of cannabis.
In a statement signed by the Director of Media & Advocacy, Femin Babafemi highlighted break throughs made by the operatives of the NDLEA.
According to him, Akwa Ibom State, NDLEA officers on patrol along the Oron–Ibaka Road in Oron Local Government Area intercepted a 37-year-old businessman, Ani Onyebuchi Romans, on Friday, January 9, while travelling with full-body mannequins purportedly meant for his clothing business in Cameroun.
Photos Arrested Drug Traffickers
A search of the mannequins revealed they were stuffed with 5.3 kilograms of tramadol pills. The suspect reportedly confessed that he purchased the drugs in Onitsha, Anambra State, and concealed them in two mannequins for trafficking to Cameroun.
In another operation, Oyo State, a series of raids led to the arrest of several suspects and the seizure of large quantities of illicit drugs. Among those arrested was Remi Bamidele (alias “Aluko the Mafia”), 45, who was apprehended at Sasa, Ibadan, with 10.696 kilograms of various strains of cannabis, including Colorado, Scottish Loud, Ghana Loud, Canadian Loud and skunk. Two vehicles—Toyota Venza and Toyota Yaris—were recovered from him.
Photos of Arrested Drug Traffickers Paraded with Drugs
Other arrests in Ibadan included Adeola Toheeb, 27, at Adegbayi area, and Habeeb Ali, 29, at Ring Road, who was found with 1.264 kilograms of illicit drugs and ₦1,307,100 in cash as exhibit.
In Edo State, a dispatch rider, Osagbovo Edigin, 30, alongside Ebimi Labo, 28, and Akhimie Success, 25, were arrested at Ihama/Airport Road GRA, Benin City, in connection with the seizure of Canadian Loud and Colorado.
Photos of Paraded Drug Traffickers
Further arrests were recorded in Edo with Jimoh Agbonmhegbe, 49, apprehended at Irrua with 17.552 kilograms of drugs, while Evelyn Okoyomon, 38, was arrested at Ubiaja with skunk.
In Niger State, NDLEA operatives recovered 4,000 pills of tramadol (225mg) from Nazifi Umar, 22, at Dakwa town, Tafa LGA. Similarly, in Taraba State, Yusuf Usman, 41, was arrested at Lankaviri, Yorro LGA, with 47 kilograms of skunk.
In Adamawa State, NDLEA officers recovered 30,950 capsules of tramadol from the residence of Ugwoke Chibueze, 40, following his arrest at the Lamido Aliyu Mustapha International Airport, Yola.
Reacting to the series of arrests and seizures, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended the officers involved for their dedication.
Commending the operatives, the Chairman of NDLEA General Buba Marwa described the operations as a reflection of the agency’s sustained commitment to tackling both drug supply and demand.
“The Chairman commends the officers and men of the Akwa Ibom, Adamawa, Taraba, Edo, Oyo and Niger Commands for their resilience and professionalism. Their operational successes, alongside their balanced approach to drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction, are well appreciated,” Babafemi said.
He added that NDLEA commands nationwide continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaigns in schools, worship centres, workplaces and communities during the period.
