A
combined team of officers with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)
and the Nigerian Army have carried out a raid on Akala area of Mushin, a
notorious criminal hideout in Lagos.
The
operation, which lasted several hours at the weekend, led to the arrest of 47
suspected drug traffickers and addicts with the seizure of 3,166.15kg of
narcotics, including cannabis, cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine.
Chairman
of the agency, Ahmadu Giade, commended the Nigerian Army Commander, 9 Brigade
Lagos, Brigadier-General Adeniyi Oyebade, for giving the needed back-up because
of the notoriety of the area.
“The
agency will continue to gather intelligence reports and conduct raids on
criminal hideouts. We are prepared to clean up Lagos. This operation is a
pointer to the fact that no criminal location is invincible. The understanding
and cooperation of the Nigerian Army is highly commendable,” Giade stated.
In
his reaction, Brigadier-General Oyebade urged stakeholders to support the NDLEA
in the eradication of illegal drugs in the society.
“Illicit
drugs induce crime and aggravate insecurity. Considering the problem of drugs,
we are ready to assist the NDLEA whenever they call on us. I also urge other
stakeholders to partner with the agency in making the country drug-free,” he
said.
NDLEA
Lagos State commander, Mr Aliyu Sule, said that a cannabis warehouse was
discovered during the raid.
From
the total of 47 suspected drug traffickers, including addicts, that were apprehended,
42 are males and five females.
“An
illegal warehouse was discovered at the scene of operation, where 3,166.15kg of
drugs, mainly cannabis was seized. There were also 31.4 grammes of heroin, 292
grammes of cocaine and 1.9 grammes of methamphetamine, which were prepared in
pinches meant for local consumption,” Sule stated.
The
commander added that the operation was the second raid on Akala in the last
seven days. The first operation, according to him, led to the seizure of
187.355kg of cannabis.
It
is recalled that the NDLEA chairman met Governor Babatunde Fashola in February,
when the agency solicited for states support on how to arrest the rise of drug
trafficking syndicates following the discovery of several methamphetamine
production laboratories in the state.
Investigation
has commenced and all those found culpable shall be prosecuted while the
addicts shall be placed on counselling,” NDLEA said.
Source: Tribune
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