NDLEA uncovers cocaine in palm kernel oil cans, arrests kingpin in Lagos
By Zagazola Makama
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have dismantled a major drug trafficking syndicate, intercepting cocaine consignments concealed in tins of palm kernel extract bound for the United Kingdom and arresting the kingpin in Lagos.
The Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, said in a statement on Sunday that the intelligence-led operation, which lasted three weeks, led to the unraveling of the syndicate’s structure and the arrest of key members.
Babafemi said the breakthrough began on March 11, when NDLEA officers at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, intercepted 3.10 kilograms of cocaine at the export shed.
“The illicit substance was meticulously concealed in tins of palm kernel extract intended for shipment to the UK,” he said.
He added that two suspects, Idris Olayiwola Amoo and Akinlami Akinsoji Adedoyin, who were handling the consignment, were arrested on the spot.
According to him, a follow-up sting operation conducted on April 2 led to the arrest of the sender, Ezemuwo Joel, who operated under a false identity.
“His arrest provided investigators with critical leads that resulted in the apprehension of the syndicate’s kingpin, a 52-year-old suspect identified as King Arinze, at his hideout in Isolo, Lagos,” Babafemi said.
He disclosed that NDLEA operatives subsequently raided the suspect’s warehouse at Bucknor, Isolo, where they recovered 886 tins of palm kernel extract prepared for drug concealment, industrial sealing equipment, tin openers, paint sprays, 52 grams of cannabis, and other items.
Babafemi said the suspect confessed to personally draining the oil from the tins to conceal cocaine before shipment.
In a related development, NDLEA operatives in Borno on April 1 arrested a 28-year-old woman, Aisha Adamu, along Gamboru Ngala road with 4.3 kilograms of Colorado, a potent synthetic strain of cannabis.
He said intelligence indicated that the suspect supplied illicit drugs to armed groups operating in the North-East and neighbouring Chad Republic.
Meanwhile, a pastor of the Celestial Church of Christ, Agonvi Sea Beach, Badagry, Lagos State, Afolabi Hodonu, 45, and his wife, Success Hodonu, 35, were arrested on April 2 at Gbaji checkpoint.
Babafemi said a search of their vehicle led to the recovery of 11 kilograms of skunk concealed in hidden compartments.
“The arrest followed the earlier apprehension of a suspected fake security agent, Sunday Samuel, who was intercepted on March 30 at the same checkpoint with 24.5 kilograms of skunk,” he said.
In Adamawa, NDLEA officers on patrol along Namtari road, Yola South, intercepted a truck conveying 48,000 tramadol pills, leading to the arrest of the driver, Abdulaziz Ismail Korede, and a subsequent arrest of the intended recipient, Idris Adamu.
Similarly, in Osun, a 60-year-old suspect, Idiatu Oladejo, was arrested with 15 kilograms of skunk in Isale Osun, Osogbo.
Babafemi said NDLEA operatives also raided a forest in Itaogbolu, Ondo State, recovering 351 kilograms of skunk and cannabis seeds.
In Benue, a 66-year-old suspect, Aminu Usman Gembu, was arrested at Aliade with 28,600 capsules of tramadol.
He added that in Edo, operatives arrested a suspect, Roland Owie, following a raid on his warehouse in Egbanke community, Orhionmwon Local Government Area, where 1,378 kilograms of skunk were recovered.
In Oyo State, a suspected drug dealer, Ayantola Omodunmomi, also known as “Iya Elle,” was arrested in Ibadan with 45.6 kilograms of skunk.
Babafemi said investigations revealed that the suspect used her 11-year-old daughter to distribute illicit drugs to customers.
He noted that the agency also intensified its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaigns across schools and communities nationwide.
The NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended officers across various commands for the successful operations.
“These successful operations are a testament to the agency’s evolving intelligence capabilities and our unwavering commitment to disrupting drug trafficking networks,” Marwa said.
He assured that the agency would continue to target drug cartels, regardless of their methods or cover.
