NDLEA Seizes 396,000 Tramadol Capsules at Yola Airport

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) intercepted 396,000 capsules of tramadol at Aliyu Mustapha International Airport, Yola, on Friday.

The seizure comes less than a week after the agency recovered over 171,000 tramadol capsules in separate operations across Niger, Benue, and Taraba states.

Announcing the development on Sunday, NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi said a 50-year-old suspect, Ahmed Isyaku Nda, was arrested in connection with the offence.

“In Adamawa state, NDLEA operatives recovered 396,000 tramadol capsules from Ahmed Isyaku Nda, 50, at Aliyu Mustapha International Airport, Yola. Meanwhile, 785kg of skunk was seized from the warehouse of a drug dealer at large in Asob Maraba Karu, Nasarawa state,” the statement said.

In a related operation, Babafemi confirmed the arrest of a wanted drug baron operating under the guise of a businessman and hotelier.

“The 42-year-old, Ibemesi, MD/CEO of Franc CJ Ibemesi Nig. Ltd, was arrested at his Daisy Garden Hotel in Isolo, Lagos. At his warehouse, authorities recovered 42 jumbo bags and four cartons of Loud, a strain of cannabis, weighing 1,762.8 kilograms. Cash seized included $11,600, 2,000 British pounds, 2,200 euros, and 50 Canadian dollars,” he said.

Additionally, NDLEA foiled an attempt by a drug syndicate in Orita-Apeje, Araromi-Okeodo forest reserve, Ife South LGA, Osun State, to distribute 11,135kg of processed skunk following days of surveillance. Two trucks used to transport the drugs—a Volvo truck (WWR 29 XA) and a Mercedes truck (AWK 713 YZ)—were seized, and seven suspects were arrested, including Lucky Abiodun, Julius Amos, Victor Ngbikili, Sunday Oduegwu, Ibrahim Akanni, Eze Godstime, and Fred Ifeanyichukwu.

NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd.) commended the officers involved in the operations and urged personnel nationwide to continue implementing the agency’s coordinated drug control strategy.

The agency has also strengthened international collaboration, working with the US DEA and the UK’s National Crime Agency to identify those responsible for a consignment worth over N338bn recently intercepted at the PTML Terminal of Tin Can Island Port, Lagos.