Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have arrested 132 suspected drug traffickers and dealers while recovering 220 kilograms of assorted illicit substances during a two-week coordinated offensive across the Federal Capital Territory and surrounding areas.
The agency disclosed that the operation, which lasted from April 11 to April 25, targeted notorious drug hubs and distribution networks operating within the nation’s capital.
This was contained in a statement issued on Friday by Femi Babafemi, who said the raids were jointly carried out by the agency’s Directorate of Operations and General Investigation and the FCT Strategic Command following weeks of intelligence gathering and surveillance.
According to the statement, the operation led to the dismantling of several drug joints and hideouts in areas including Torabora Hills, Area 3, Gwarinpa, AYA, Durumi, Banex, Dei-Dei, Kubwa, Apo, Kwali, Gwagwalada, Wuse Zone 4, Garki Area 10, Jabi, and the Suleja axis.
The agency said substances recovered during the raids included 214.79 kilograms of skunk, a strain of cannabis, alongside quantities of Diazepam, Exol, Tramadol, Mogadon, cocaine, Rohypnol, methamphetamine, Ecstasy, and bottles of codeine syrup.
The NDLEA noted that operatives encountered stiff resistance from suspected drug syndicates during operations in Durumi Area 1 and Suleja Market, but officers successfully subdued the suspects and disrupted their distribution networks without recording any casualties.
Briefing the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the agency, Mohamed Buba Marwa, on the outcome of the operation, the Director of Operations and General Investigation, Ahmed Sule Ningi, commended the resilience, coordination, and professionalism displayed by participating officers.
He stressed the need for sustained operational pressure to consolidate the gains recorded during the special exercise.
In his response, Marwa praised officers of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation, the FCT Strategic Command, and other formations involved in the operation for their commitment to sanitising the capital city and its environs.
He also directed that the operational model be replicated in other high-risk urban centres across the country as part of efforts to intensify the crackdown on drug cartels and curb both the supply and demand of illicit substances nationwide.
