The National Drugs Laws Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has successfully apprehended a notorious drug kingpin, Obiorah Chigozie Samuel, for his involvement in an attempt to transport illegal drugs to the United Kingdom (UK). This arrest marks a significant milestone for the agency, as it is part of a series of successful interdiction operations that have led to the seizure of four tons of illicit substances in the past week.
According to the spokesperson of the agency, Mr. Femi BabaFemi, Obiorah Chigozie Samuel has been on the agency’s most wanted list since September 15, 2023. The agency first intercepted a consignment of 1.500kg of skunk, concealed in flour and bound for London, at the SAHCO export shed of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos. Following the interception, the agency arrested Nworah Adaugo Precious, who was acting as Obiorah’s freight agent.
However, undeterred by this setback, Obiorah Chigozie Samuel made the mistake of returning to the airport on Thursday, September 28, to personally deliver another 2.00kg of illicit drugs, this time concealed in cartons. It was during this occasion that the NDLEA apprehended him.
During an interview with the agency, Obiorah confessed that prior to his involvement in the illicit drug trade, he had been selling shoes in Lagos.
In a separate operation, the NDLEA operatives stationed in the Federal Capital Territory Command intercepted a container truck with the registration number BD G41 XM. The truck, travelling from Lagos to Kano, was stopped at the Gwagwalada area of the FCT. It was during this stop that the agency discovered 1,188 kilograms of skunk concealed beneath cartons of toothpaste. The 28-year-old driver of the truck, Amafan Fattison, was subsequently arrested.
The diligent work of the NDLEA operatives has resulted in numerous similar arrests and seizures in various states, including Bayelsa, Borno, Kogi, Kwara, Cross River, and Enugu.
Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa, the Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, commended the officers and men in the affected commands for their unwavering commitment to reducing both drug supply and demand. He emphasized the importance of striking a balance in these efforts to effectively combat drug abuse in the country.
In addition to these successful operations, the NDLEA has been actively engaging in advocacy activities under the banner of the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA). Over the past week, several institutions and organizations, such as Nigeria French Village in Badagry, Lagos, Ar-Rahmania College of Health Sciences in Minna, Niger state, Pentecostal Academy in Aba, Abia state, and the School of Nursing in Eket, Akwa Ibom state, have received WADA advocacy lectures and sensitization sessions.
