NDLEA arrests five suspected drug barons

Seizes 2, 500kg of illicit drugs in Borno

The Borno State Command of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Wednesday arrested five suspected drug barons. It also seized 2,500 kilogrammes of illicit drugs, allegedly supplied to Boko Haram in the state.

Addressing journalists in Maiduguri on Wednesday, the Chairman of Drug Abuse and Control Committee (DACC), Kaka Lawan Shehu, who doubles as Borno State Commissioner of Justice and Attorney-General disclosed that the committee acted on intelligence to arrest the suspects and seize the drugs.

He said the arrests and seizures were made in various parts of Maiduguri metropolis this year.

“In spite of the logistic problems facing NDLEA in Borno State, the Drug Abuse and Control Committee, was able to arrest five suspected drug barons in Maiduguri and Biu last week,” Shehu said.

“The seized drugs included 235 kilogrammes of cannabis, 50 kilogrammes of tramodol and other deadly substances being allegedly sold to the terrorist groups in the state.”

Kaka further disclosed that as from January to date, a total of 88 drug suspects were arrested for drugs peddling and other related offences in the state.

He said that one of suspects had been convicted; while 45 others were freed last week.

He, however, noted that some NDLEA officers were sent to Biu town to arrest the suspected drug lord known as (Orlando) but the suspect sold out his consignment to prevent arrest.

He said that three other suspects would be arraigned in court.

The NDLEA commander in Borno State, Ona Ogilegwe also said that 22 tonnes of illicit drugs along Gambouru Road awaiting public destruction.

He, however, noted that the command was facing a lot of challenges and suffered major setbacks over the death of an officer and five other personnel in Gambouru and Banki border towns.

He urged patent medicine stores and hawkers to desist from selling illicit drugs, which could cause havoc in the society, saying the state government has vowed to rid Borno of drug abuse.