In a significant operation targeting transnational drug cartels, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) apprehended Oguejiofor Nnaemeka Simonpeter, a 29-year-old returnee from Thailand, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
Oguejiofor was caught attempting to smuggle 13.30 kilograms of heroin valued at over N3.192 billion. The drugs were concealed in six backpacks packed into two suitcases. Oguejiofor, a graduate of Mechanical Engineering from Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Anambra State, had arrived in Lagos from Thailand via Doha on October 5, 2024. He was arrested while trying to retrieve his luggage from Accra, Ghana, which he had rerouted to Lagos in an attempt to bypass security checks.
In his confession, Oguejiofor revealed he was promised $7,000 for successfully delivering the heroin, with two parcels intended for Lagos and four for Accra. The NDLEA operatives discovered the illicit drugs sewn into the backpacks after thorough checks.
Simultaneously, NDLEA officers intercepted large opioid consignments valued at over N22.7 billion at Lekki Deep Seaport, Apapa seaport, and Port Harcourt Port Complex. The drugs seized included over 32.6 million pills of tramadol worth N12.57 billion and over 1.45 million bottles of codeine-based syrup valued at N10.16 billion.
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The seizures were part of joint operations conducted with Nigerian Customs and other security agencies based on intelligence-led monitoring of containers.
Further arrests include Okelue Chidera, caught with 50,000 tramadol tablets in Anambra, and Monday Akele, apprehended with 110 kg of cannabis in Edo State. NDLEA’s efforts in drug awareness, including sensitization programs in schools across various states, continued throughout the week.
NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), praised the efforts of the officers, stressing the importance of both drug supply and demand reduction in the agency’s fight against drug abuse in Nigeria.
