The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested Arokodare Ebenezer, a 43-year-old business owner based in Lekki, for allegedly importing 60 parcels of loud, a potent strain of cannabis from the United States to Nigeria.
According to a statement by NDLEAβs Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, Mr Ebenezer was apprehended on Monday, 24 March, at Bay Lounge on Admiralty Way, Lekki, while awaiting the delivery of his latest drug shipment.
The arrest followed the seizure of his consignment, which arrived in Nigeria on 12 March in seven large cartons at a Lagos logistics company. A subsequent search of Ebenezerβs Lekki residence uncovered 94 grams of cannabis, a cannabis crusher, and other drug paraphernalia, bringing the total weight of seized drugs to 32.24 kilograms.
During interrogation, Mr Ebenezer admitted to engaging in the illicit drug trade since 2017.
In another operation, NDLEA officers thwarted an attempt by business owner Omoruyi Terry to export 1,400 pills of tramadol 225mg weighing 800 grams to Italy.
Mr Terry was intercepted at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja Lagos, on his way to Italy via a Qatar Airways flight.
According to the statement, the NDLEA chairperson, Mohamed Marwa, commended the agencyβs officers and men for their operational successes and wished them a happy Eid al-Fitr celebration.
βMay the spirit of obedience and sacrifice that defines this special day guide and strengthen us as we remain steadfast in our pursuit of a drug-free society,β Mr Marwa said.
A fatal accident involving security operatives of "OPERATION CRUSH" occurred on Sunday evening at Ihie Ibeku along the Bende Road in Umuahia, Abia State, resulting in one confirmed death and several others sustaining injuries.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMMBGNr_PKk
ABN TV reports that the vehicle transporting the operatives, which included personnel from the Nigerian Police Force, the Nigerian Army, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), veered off the road and plunged into a deep ditch. The challenging terrain and narrow nature of the road, which serves as a federal highway linking Bende to Ohafia and Arochukwu, may have contributed to the accident.
Inside the vehicle at the time of the accident were three policemen, five NSCDC officers, and one military personnel. Out of the ten operatives onboard, one officer from the NSCDC was confirmed dead, while eight others sustained serious injuries and were rushed to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Umuahia for urgent medical attention. Notably, one operative had disembarked before the accident occurred and was initially declared missing but was later found alive.
Eyewitnesses confirmed that a prominent Ibeku community leader, popularly known as Akaraka, alongside other passersby, played a crucial role in the initial rescue efforts. They used his vehicle and other available means to transport the first six injured operatives to the hospital before further reinforcements arrived.
Despite the severity of the incident, road safety officials had yet to arrive at the scene at the time of reporting. Witnesses have called on the state government and relevant authorities to act swiftly, emphasizing the urgent need for better road safety measures and emergency response protocols to prevent further casualties.
Meanwhile, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma, was present at FMC Umuahia alongside ABN TV correspondents to monitor the situation. Additionally, the Abia State Commissioner of Police, CP Danladi Isa, visited FMC with his team tonight. He prayed for and encouraged the personnel, offering words of support during this difficult time. Source: https://abntv.com.ng/news/security-operatives-of-abia-operation-crush-involved-in-fatal-accident-one-dead-photos-video/
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