Abuja, Jan. 12, 2025 – The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted 2,217.6 kilograms of skunk, a strain of cannabis, at an abandoned fuel station in Abuja.
The NDLEA disclosed this on Sunday in a statement issued by Femi Babafemi, its Spokesman.
According to the NDLEA, a 40-foot trailer loaded with skunk, weighing 2,217.6 kilograms, was intercepted by NDLEA operatives while being distributed into six vehicles at an abandoned fuel station in Kagini, Kubwa, Abuja, for onward distribution to some northern states.
“The intelligence-led operation, which took place at 1:20 a.m. on Saturday, January 11, 2025, led to the seizure of the large illicit consignment, the trailer, six vehicles—comprising a Toyota Van, Toyota Camry, Toyota Sienna, a JAC 4-wheel-drive Hilux, a Toyota Corolla, and a Vento Passat—and the arrest of a suspect, 42-year-old Isaac Monday Desmond.
“The consignment was loaded onto the trailer at Uzebba in the Owan Local Council Area of Edo State.”
The NDLEA also said it had arrested one Bariu Aliu, a traditional chief priest of the Igunuko Shrine in Ajah, Lekki area of Lagos, after 2,760 kilogrammes of skunk were recovered from his shrine.
Bariu, also known as “Malo,” was arrested on Oct. 24, 2024 after a three-month manhunt
“In Lagos, the traditional chief priest of the Igunuko shrine at Alpha Beach, Ajah Lekki, where 2,760 kg of skunk was recovered on October 25, 2024, Bariu Aliu (alias Malo), has been arrested by NDLEA operatives after a three-month manhunt.
“Though two of his accomplices were arrested at the shrine last year and subsequently charged and convicted in court, Bariu was identified as the syndicate leader.”
The NDLEA said it had also intercepted a 40-foot trailer loaded with 2,217.6 kilograms of skunk, a strain of cannabis, during an intelligence-led operation in the Kagini area of Kubwa, Abuja.
The NDLEA officers, in another raid in the FCT, arrested two suspects, Anthony Nnamdi, 42, and Abba Ali, 27, in Nyanya, where they recovered 1.398 kilograms of cocaine and a precursor substance used in preparing crack cocaine.
The statement also said 20 wraps of cocaine, weighing 330 grams, were intercepted from a cargo shipment bound for Australia at a logistics firm in Lagos.
The cocaine was concealed in face cream containers. (GBN)
