The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has apprehended a 48-year-old businessman, Orizu Ifeanyi Arthur, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja, while attempting to smuggle 74 wraps of heroin and cocaine to Paris, France.
Orizu, who operates a shop at Balogun Market, Lagos Island, was arrested on Sunday, December 22, 2024, during the boarding process for Air France flight 844. NDLEA operatives intercepted him after he refused a body scan, citing medical reasons. He was taken into custody, where he excreted 74 wraps of the drugs over seven days.
In his statement, Orizu admitted that he was promised €3,000 for successfully delivering the drugs to Paris. “I sell school and traveling bags at Balogun Market. I left Lagos for Abuja to connect my flight, hoping to escape detection,” he said.
Marine Interdiction in Lagos
In a separate operation on December 24, NDLEA’s Marine Command intercepted two boats carrying 1,960 kilograms of a high-potency cannabis strain, Ghanaian Loud, at Eleko Beach, Lekki, Lagos. Six foreign nationals were arrested, including two Ghanaians, Godsway John (38) and Freedom Kelvin (33), and four Beninese nationals: Chegoun Hounsou (23), Gadabor Nyameto (47), Adantg Sasa (34), and Ayao Kayivi (21).
Arrests in Katsina and Edo
On Christmas Day, December 25, a suspect, Ibrahim Shaibu (35), was arrested with 35kg of compressed cannabis at the Central Motor Park, Katsina. Similarly, Umar Ahmed (47) was caught on December 28 along the Zaria-Malumfashi road with 13.5kg of the same substance.
In Edo State, NDLEA operatives raided the New Lagos Road area in Benin City on December 23, arresting 21-year-old Kosisochukwu Ozigbo. The raid uncovered 32,490 pills of Tramadol, 936 bottles of codeine-based syrup, and other opioids.
Advocacy Campaigns and Commendation
In addition to these enforcement actions, NDLEA commands across the country intensified advocacy efforts under the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative. Campaigns included lectures in schools, markets, worship centers, and communities. Notably, Lagos State Command partnered with Menitos Foundation to educate Akoka residents, while Adamawa Command delivered lectures to Jama’atul Nasril Islam during its annual leadership camping event.
Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), Chairman/CEO of NDLEA, praised the agency’s officers for their dedication and urged them to sustain the momentum in the new year. “I commend the officers and men of NAIA, Katsina, Edo, and Marine Commands for their achievements in 2024. Let’s raise the bar against drug barons and cartels while advancing WADA campaigns nationwide,” he said.
