The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has uncovered consignments of illicit drugs concealed in water purifier machines shipped from the Netherlands to Lagos, while also intercepting military-grade ammunition and arresting multiple suspects in separate operations across the country.

According to a statement issued by the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, NDLEA operatives discovered the drug consignments at a courier company in Lagos on May 26. The seized substances included three kilograms of ketamine and 199 grams of MDMA, popularly known as Ecstasy, carefully hidden inside water purifier machines imported from Europe.

In Kaduna State, NDLEA officers arrested a couple, Musa Sunday and Mercy Sunday, alongside another suspect, Salomi Ezekiel, 38, after recovering 100 jumbo bags of skunk weighing a total of 1,246 kilograms from a residence in the Gonin Gora area on May 24.

The agency also reported the interception of a 30-year-old suspect, Sunusi Musa, along the Abuja-Kaduna Highway near Jere. He was found in possession of 380 rounds of military-grade 7.62mm ammunition allegedly being transported to Katsina State. NDLEA said the suspect and the ammunition had been handed over to the appropriate security agency for further investigation and action.

In Niger State, operatives acting on intelligence raided a warehouse in Gidan Kukah, Bosso Local Government Area, where they recovered 457 kilograms of skunk on May 27. A suspect, Godwin Zakka, 46, was subsequently arrested at his residence in the Gbeganu area of Minna in connection with the seizure.

Similarly, in Enugu State, NDLEA officers on patrol along the Onitsha-Enugu Expressway intercepted a commercial vehicle travelling to Taraba State. A search of the vehicle led to the discovery of 22,000 tramadol pills, 100 ampoules of pentazocine and 200 grams of bromazepam. The suspect, identified as James Maigari Wisdom, was arrested.

The agency said its commands and formations nationwide also sustained anti-drug awareness campaigns under its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative during the week. Sensitisation programmes were conducted in schools and communities across several states, including Cross River, Taraba, Lagos and Anambra.

Commending officers involved in the operations, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), praised the agency’s personnel for their efforts in reducing drug supply while maintaining public awareness campaigns.

Marwa urged officers across the country to remain vigilant and intensify efforts in the fight against drug trafficking and substance abuse.