Abuja NDLEA arrests 147 suspects, recovers fake $1.9m in 1 month

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), FCT Command, has arrested 147 drug suspects and users within the month of September during its special operation. The Commander, NDLEA FCT Command, Mrs Chinyere Obijuru, told journalists yesterday in Abuja that the special operation meant to curtail the disturbing menace of illicit drug abuse and trafficking in […]

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), FCT Command, has arrested 147 drug suspects and users within the month of September during its special operation.

The Commander, NDLEA FCT Command, Mrs Chinyere Obijuru, told journalists yesterday in Abuja that the special operation meant to curtail the disturbing menace of illicit drug abuse and trafficking in the FCT is consistent with the determination of the retired Col. Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah-led leadership to combat the drug menace in the FCT and the entire country.

According to her, the operation which was conducted in September this year, also led to the recovery of fake $1,908,400.

“For one month running, from September 1 to 30, 2018, this command along with other FCT commands of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Department of State Service (DSS) raided the illicit drug black spots in the FCT, crippling the criminal drug enterprise in the Abuja metropolis.

“The operation, code named ‘Operation Shara’, led to the arrest of 147 drug suspects and users. Total drug seizures are 496kg of cannabis sativa and 63 cartons of cough syrup with codeine which has been banned from production in the country. Other seizures included cocaine, rhophynol (Roche), tramadol, diazepam and exol.

“Investigation also led to the recovery of 1,908,400 fake US dollars belonging to one Solomon Abu, currently at large, at the gate house of IBB International Golf Club. The money has been transferred to the FCT Command of the Nigeria Police Force.

“Some of the kingpins arrested in connection with the drugs are Uba Clifford, Dauda Elisha, Abubakar Audu and Mohammed Adamu.

The operations were carried out in Lokogoma, Torabora, Garki, Abattoir Karu, Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse Zone 4, Ademola Adetokumbo Street, Wuse II and Mpape, among other places,” Obijuru said.

While also commending the other agencies that assisted in the special operation, Obijuru urged members of the public to assist the agency with useful information on drug activities to curb the drug menace in the FCT. They are to call the agency’s hotline, 09029011535, on drug and related cases.