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NDLEA Intercepts 153,256kgs Of Drugs, Arrests 663 Suspects
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted various drugs with cumulative weight of more than 153, 256.876kilogrammes within the last one week.
The agency also disclosed that it arrested 663 suspects in various states within the same period.
NDLEA made this known in a statement by its Director, Media and Advocacy, Mr Femi Babafemi, yesterday, in Abuja.
Bababfemi said that among the 663 suspects arrested were a youth corps member, police officer and a soldier suspected, all suspected to be fake.
He said that NDLEA operatives had raided notorious drug joints in Lagos, Abuja, Benue and other parts of the country in the last week.
According to him, the raid led to the discovery of assorted illicit drugs weighing more than 153, 256.876 kilogrammes, which were either destroyed or seized.
“In Lagos, the notorious drug haven, Akala in Mushin area, was on Friday, October 15, raided by a combined team of 70 NDLEA operatives and 30 soldiers, in a joint operation code-named ‘Operation Still Waters.’
“No less than 27 suspects were arrested, while various drugs such as cocaine, Tramadol, Rohypnol and cannabis sativa, with a cumulative weight of 2,463.876kg, were seized.
“A day earlier, operatives also raided drug joints in Ojo and Maryland areas of the state (Lagos), where six persons were arrested and different quantities of drugs seized.
“This followed another raid of Alhaji Lasisi Street, Idioro, Mushin, as well as Okota in Oshodi-Isolo area during which 12 suspects were arrested and over 165kg of assorted illicit drugs recovered”, he said.
Bababfemi said that operatives on Friday, October 15 also intercepted one Williams Esuabom along Ore-Shagamu Expressway, Ogun State, with 562.5kg Cannabis being conveyed in a Toyota Sienna bus.
He said that narcotic officers in a joint operation with soldiers, also raided Lafia Park, Benue State, where six suspects, including a youth corps member, Paul Ndubuisi, were arrested with different quantities of drugs.
This came on the heels of the arrest of a suspected fake soldier, Abel John, along Apir-Makurdi-Aliade Road, with 3.5kg of cannabis on Wednesday, October 13,” he said.
Bababfemi said that a suspected fake Assistant Superintendent of Police, Joshua Yusuf, who claimed to be serving in Kano, was arrested along Gwagwalada Expressway while conveying 45.5kg of Cannabis.
“Three suspects were arrested during raids on Dabba and Luku village, Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, where over 64kg drugs were recovered on Wednesday, October 13.
“In Ekiti State, NDLEA operatives in their numbers stormed the forest reserve along Uso Road, Ise-Orun LGA.
“They destroyed over 150,000 kilogrammes of cannabis being harvested on 40 hectares of land during an operation that lasted more than three days.
“The operation, which began on Tuesday, October 12, continued till Sunday, October 17,” he said.
The spokesperson said that no fewer than 615 suspects were arrested and illicit drugs, with a total weight of 3394.2031kilogrammes, recovered in raids across other states.
Bababfemi quoted the Chairman, NDLEA, Brig-Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd) as commending the officers and men of the Lagos State Command and their counterparts in Benue, FCT, Ogun, Ekiti and other parts of the country.
Marwa commended them for their resilience and commitment to the war against illicit substances, charging them not to rest on their oars.
He called for continued collaboration between the agency and other stakeholders, especially the Armed Forces and other law enforcement agencies.
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The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene
