NDLEA Intercepts Illicit Drug Shipments; Arrest Ghanaian Suspect

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), has authorized the special promotion of eight officers from the Marine Command for their valiant and professional actions during a recent operation to apprehend drug traffickers and stop boats and canoes transporting illegal drugs from Ghana to Nigeria via the waterways of Lagos.

Speaking at a brief ceremony to decorate the eight officers with their new levels and present them appreciation letters at the Agency’s National Headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, August 29, 2024, Marwa said, “On the 23rd of August 2024, the Special Marine Squad received actionable intelligence at 3am. They immediately swung into action and intercepted a boat along Alfa beach, in Lekki, Lagos. Another boat was equally sighted. They however faced some unfavourable encounter in the process of intercepting the second boat, but in the face of violent provocation, our officers did not lose focus, as they went ahead to recover the exhibits.

“They were able to seize 60 bags of Ghanaian Loud, a strong strain of cannabis, weighing 2, 400 kgs. They successfully arrested a suspect, Hambo Tete, 30, who is Ghanaian and impounded the exhibit boat powered by three outboard engines. The action of these officers in the night was significant for two reasons. First, it is an affirmation that we have been successful at making the normal trafficking routes through the airport and land borders impenetrable. Hence, traffickers seeking alternative routes are trying to turn to the waterways.

“The second significance is that such traffickers will meet their Waterloo even on the waterways because of the presence of our Marine Command. Those who have been following the development in NDLEA are aware that we now have a full-fledged Marine Command with well trained divers. In the recent past months, we have been reinforcing the Command with equipment and training for which we are grateful to the UK Home Office International Operations. What this crop of officers did is a loud statement to trafficking organisations that NDLEA will continue to work with other security agencies and stakeholders to ensure that our waterways are not safe routes for drug traffickers just as the airports, seaports and land borders,” he said.

Addressing the promoted officers and their colleagues across all commands and formations, Marwa charged them on the need “to sustain the momentum of our trajectory and also protect the integrity of our job. That entails that we should be mindful of our actions and activities in the line of duty or off duty.”

“I expect them and every officer not to rest on their oars. There is so much work to do out there, and there are dangers involved. As long as we conduct our operations in line with established SOPs, as these officers did, and as long as we don’t compromise our mandate, we shall always prevail, without casualty and without erring in our action,” he added.

Dick Aaron Dick, Alabi Mayowa, Gabriel Ubokikwan, Aso Daniel John, Abdul Emmanuel Sule, Ngabolo Victor Sonpano, Jonah Emmanuel Sule, and Membe Timipa Gabriel are among the promoted officers.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, team leader Aaron Dick thanked the NDLEA boss for changing the Agency into an efficient and results-oriented organization via purposeful and exceptional leadership. He stated that the particular promotion and honor will not only drive him and his colleagues to achieve more, but will also inspire other Agency professionals to perform exceptionally well in their tasks.

A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.

Nnamdi Okoli