Officials from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have detained a pastor and his spouse following the discovery of 11 kilograms of skunk hidden inside their vehicle near the Seme border in Lagos State.
The agency's spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, announced the development on Sunday, identifying the arrested individuals as 45-year-old Afolabi Hodonu, a pastor with the Celestial Church of Christ at Agonvi Sea Beach in Badagry, and his 35-year-old wife, Success.
According to Babafemi, the couple was intercepted on April 2 at the Gbaji checkpoint along the Seme border route while they were traveling in a Honda Pilot SUV.
A thorough search of the vehicle led to the uncovering of the prohibited substance, which had been concealed in specially crafted compartments.
Babafemi further explained that this arrest was preceded by intelligence gathered from the apprehension of another suspect, 35-year-old Sunday Samuel, who was reportedly impersonating a security agent. Samuel was arrested on March 30 at the same checkpoint, allegedly transporting 24.5 kilograms of skunk from the Seme border to Lagos.
In a related operation, Babafemi stated that NDLEA operatives have successfully dismantled a drug trafficking network involved in exporting cocaine to the United Kingdom.
The operation commenced on March 11 at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, where agents intercepted 3.10 kilograms of cocaine concealed within tins of palm kernel extract destined for the UK. Two individuals connected to this consignment, Idris Amoo and Akinlami Adedoyin, were apprehended at the airport.
Subsequent investigations led to the capture of the alleged sender, Ezemuwo Joel, who was reportedly using a false identity. This arrest ultimately exposed the syndicate's leader, 52-year-old King Arinze, who was located and apprehended at a hideout in Isolo, Lagos.
NDLEA operatives later conducted a raid on a warehouse associated with Arinze at 11, Ola Ifa Street, Bucknor, Isolo. During the raid, they recovered 886 tins of palm kernel extract that were prepared for concealing drugs, along with industrial equipment such as a sealing machine, tin openers, paint sprays, 52 grams of cannabis sativa, and a pack of hand gloves.
Babafemi reported that Arinze has admitted to personally emptying the palm kernel oil from the tins to facilitate the concealment of cocaine for export.
In an unrelated operation in Borno State, NDLEA operatives apprehended a 28-year-old suspect, Aisha Adamu, on the Gamboru-Ngala road. She is accused of supplying drugs to bandit groups operating between Nigeria’s North-East region and neighboring Chad.
The agency stated that 4.3 kilograms of 'Colorado,' a potent synthetic form of cannabis, were recovered from Adamu.
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