The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has apprehended a couple, Mmadu Agbakoba and Ijeoma Agbakoba, alongside their associate, Ifeoma Okoye, for trafficking cocaine estimated at N2.1 billion. This operation, detailed in a statement by NDLEA's Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, took place in Lagos where the syndicate operated.

According to Babafemi, the raid was conducted by a special operations unit following extensive intelligence and surveillance. Mmadu Agbakoba, aged 54, was arrested at Ago Palace Way, Okota Lagos, where seven parcels of cocaine weighing 7.652 kilograms were seized. His wife, Ijeoma Agbakoba (39), and Ifeoma Okoye (31), who served as their stash keeper, were apprehended at Plot 2205 Eugene Ndubisi close, Lilly Estate, Amuwo Odofin, with 122 compressed pellets of cocaine weighing 2.42kg.

In a separate incident, NDLEA operatives intercepted 350 grams of cocaine disguised in an MP3 speaker along Enugu Road, Otukpo, leading to the arrest of Odeh Anthony, aged 25. Additionally, in Adamawa state, a Chadian national, Yves Ahmat Gali, was caught with 20 compressed blocks and nine plastic containers of cannabis. In Kano, Yusuf Abdulrahman, a youth corps member, was arrested with 1.250kg of cannabis.

Further operations resulted in the arrest of Ba’ale Ige Babatunde in Osun state for cultivating 5kg of cannabis plants, while in Ondo state, Monday Ali and Jimoh Alewi were apprehended during a raid on Ikota forest where cannabis weighing 73.5kg was recovered.

Lastly, in Abuja, NDLEA operatives detained Sanusi Mamman and Usaini Ibrahim with a significant quantity of opioids including 1,132 bottles of codeine syrup, 13,540 pills of tramadol, 50,000 pills of diazepam, and 59 pills of rohypnol, allegedly transported from Onitsha, Anambra state.

The NDLEA continues its efforts to combat drug trafficking and related crimes across Nigeria, aiming to curb the spread of illicit substances and prosecute those involved in their distribution and sale.