Hayatu Galadima, a suspected fake soldier, and his accomplice, Hamisu Adamu, allegedly conveying drugs, ammunition and communication equipment to bandits in Kaduna State have been apprehended by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA.
The patrol team of NDLEA officers allegedly arrested the suspects on Gwagwalada Expressway in Abuja on Friday, September 30, 2021.
NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, in a statement explained that 21 RLA 7.45mm ammunition concealed in water bottles; 16 packs of new two-way radios (walkie-talkie), and four army head masks, were among items recovered from Galadima.
The statement further explained that others were a wallet containing an army ID card; one USD, two FCMB, one First Bank, one Ecobank, one UBA, and one Skye Bank ATM cards; wraps of cannabis sativa; tablets of tramadol; three MTN, two 9mobile and one Airtel SIM cards.
According to the statement, one iPhone 12 Pro; one Samsung A31; one Nokia phone; seven NA pass letters; five handbags and one Bagco bag, containing personal belongings, as well as a gallon of palm oil, were also found on the fake soldier.
The fake soldier, Galadima claimed to be a Lance Corporal serving in Ibadan, Oyo State, explained that they were taking the exhibits to Kaduna and Kano.
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The statement further explained, “Preliminary investigation, however, indicates that the suspects may have contact with bandits in the North-West and were possibly moving the ammunition and the two-way radios to bandits who are presently excommunicated due to the suspension of telecommunication services in Zamfara, Sokoto and Kaduna states.”
In another development, Mario Okiwelu, a final-year student of Fine Arts and Design at the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, was also apprehended for allegedly importing five variants of liquid cannabis weighing 49.6grams from the United States of America five.
It said Okiwelu was arrested through a controlled delivery along with his accomplice, Precious Awuse, on Monday, September 27, 2021, around the NIPOST area, Port Harcourt.
The statement added that narcotics officers of the NDLEA attached to some courier firms in Lagos reportedly seized different sizes of illicit drugs and 40g of cocaine concealed in a University of Uyo degree certificate, on its way to Australia.
It further explained that other items seized were 280g of cannabis hidden in body cream bottles going to Cyprus; 400g of tramadol tucked in plastic bottles heading for Australia and 1kg of Methamphetamine concealed in auto parts on its way to Hong Kong.
One Aliya Idris, on Saturday, 25th September, in a house of a drug wanted dealer, Shamsu Boda, on Joji road, Tudun Wada, Zaria was arrested by NDLEA Operatives in Kaduna.
Babafemi said that she was arrested during an operation at Shamsu Boda’s house, adding that she was found with 30 bottles of cough syrup, codeine, and 20 sachets of Rophynol with a gross weight of 4.2kg and 77.5g, respectively.
