Female Lawyer Arrested In Lagos For Production And Distribution Of Tons Of Illicit Drugs

NDLEA operatives have made a significant breakthrough in their ongoing fight against drug trafficking in Nigeria with the arrest of a prominent female lawyer, Ebikpolade Helen.

Ms. Helen, based in Lekki, Lagos, has been apprehended for her alleged involvement in the production and distribution of a potent drug known as skuchies. Skuchies are a dangerous mixture of cannabis, opioids, and black currant.

The arrest of Ebikpolade Helen came as a result of a follow-up operation in Awka, Anambra state, subsequent to the earlier seizure of 5kg of cannabis and 12 bottles of prepared skuchies found in her Lekki apartment.

The NDLEA operatives, belonging to the Directorate of Operation and General Investigations (DOGI) in Lagos, have also successfully foiled attempts to export illicit substances through courier companies.

In one instance, 336 grams of skunk hidden inside computer hard drives destined for Dubai, UAE, were intercepted at a courier firm. Additionally, a suspect named Ibrahim Analu, 28, was arrested at Iddo motor park in Lagos while attempting to send 151,700 pills of opioids to Kaduna.

Another major seizure took place at a different courier firm, where 4.830kg of skunk was discovered in a shipment from Douala, Cameroon, bound for Oman. The drug was cleverly concealed in 10 out of 12 cans of palm fruit paste, locally known as Banga, packed in a carton.

In separate incidents, the NDLEA arrested several other individuals involved in drug-related activities. Abubakar Shuaibu was apprehended on Thursday, July 13th, at Cappa, Mushin/Oshodi road, with 86 bottles of codeine-based cough syrup weighing 8.6 liters in his Toyota bus.

Two suspects, Razak Ogunbo and Adeola Idowu, were nabbed on Tuesday, July 11th, in Ikorodu with 51 liters of skuchies. Furthermore, a fleeing drug dealer’s residence in Akala, Mushin Lagos, was found to contain 372kg of cannabis sativa and 48 bottles of skuchies measuring 48 liters.

The NDLEA operations extended beyond Lagos. In Ondo state, operatives stormed a building at Ehin-Ala, Akure South LGA, resulting in the arrest of Abubakar Zayanu Gyambar, 28, who was found in possession of 162 jumbo bags of skunk weighing 1,944 kilograms.

Additionally, Henry Wilson, 50, was apprehended in Ogume town, Ndokwa West LGA, Delta State, with a similar substance weighing 216.5kg.

Further drug seizures occurred in various states across the country. Adam Hassan, 27, was found with 45.41kg of cannabis along the Inga wa-Mani – Mashi road in Katsina, while Mamman Nur Shettima was intercepted with 70kg of the same substance along the Kano – Nguru road in Yobe state. In Kano, Abdulhamid Lawan Bayaro, 48, was arrested at the Dan Agundi area with 114 blocks of cannabis weighing 71.7kg. Operatives also discovered 50,000 pills of Tamol, a brand of Tramadol, in the Kofar Waika area of the state.

In a significant development, two commercial vehicles were intercepted, leading to the recovery of 912,600 pills of pharmaceutical opioids, including tramadol. One vehicle was traveling from Lagos to Kano, while the other was intercepted along the Abuja-Jere-Kaduna expressway, resulting in the arrest of a suspect named Sahabi Lawal, 25.

In Borno state, Umar Tijjani Mustapha, aged 32, was arrested at Gangamari, MMC, with 55.25kg of skunk on Thursday, July 13th.

Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, commended the officers involved for their dedication and success in combating drug-related crimes. He urged them to remain vigilant and resolute in their mission to apprehend all criminals intent on undermining the stability and well-being of Nigeria.