The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has seized large consignments of skunk, heroin, and other opioids in raids across Kano, Kwara, Kaduna, Taraba, Abia, Osun, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi disclosed in a statement on Sunday that in Kano, 727 blocks of compressed skunk weighing 479kg were recovered from a 40-year-old suspect.

According to him, NDLEA operatives arrested the suspect in the Chalawa area of the state on March 12.

Mr Babafemi added that no fewer than 58,300 pills of tramadol were also intercepted along the Kabba-Obajana highway, Kogi, in a commercial bus coming from Lagos en route to Abuja on March 11.

He added that raid operations in Kachia, Kaduna, on March 13 led to the arrest of a 21-year-old suspect, with 4,900 pills of tramadol 225mg seized from him.

Mr Babafemi said a similar exercise in the Hayin Banki area of Kaduna North Local Government Area (LGA) on March 14 also resulted in the arrest of another 25-year-old suspect.

According to Mr Babafemi, 2,900 tablets of tramadol 225mg were also recovered from him.

“A total of 40,200 tablets of tramadol 225mg were recovered from the duo of Olowoko Faruk and Akeem Ridwan along Ilorin–Jebba expressway, Bode Saadu, Kwara, on Friday, March 14.

“The NDLEA operatives equally seized 21,700 capsules of the same opioid from a suspect, along Eiyenkorin expressway, Ilorin, on Thursday, March 13.

“Also, in Taraba, NDLEA officers on Friday, March 14, another 30-year-old suspect, at Bente Road, Kurmi LGA, with 15.77kg of skunk,” he stated.

Speaking further, he noted that agency operatives had, on March 13, in Osun, intercepted a commercial bus with registration number SGB 564 YS coming from Idumota, Lagos Island.

According to him, the NDLEA operatives recovered 48.7kg of Ghanaian Loud, Colorado and Canadian Loud, all strains of cannabis.

He said nine suspects were arrested in connection with the seizure in Osogbo and Ile-Ife during follow-up operations.

“A 58-year-old suspect was, on March 11, arrested along Gwagwalada expressway, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, with 27,800 pills of tramadol 225mg.

“Another 26-year-old suspect sold was nabbed same day with various quantities of skunk and cocaine at Wuse Zone 3 area of Abuja.

“In Abia, NDLEA operatives had also, on March 15, raided the Ntigha community, Isiala-Ngwa North LGA, where a 34-year-old suspect was arrested.

“Operatives recovered from him, 274grams of heroin, 141grams of methamphetamine, 2.931kg of cannabis sativa, four grams of cocaine and N753,015 monetary exhibit,” Mr Babafemi said.

(NAN)