NDLEA hunts for traffickers that abandon truckload of drug

Juliana Francis

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Kogi State Command, have launched a man-hunt for suspected traffickers, who abandoned truckload of 3.1 tons of Cannabis sativa along Okene-Lokoja Express Way and vanish.

The illicit substance was being conveyed in a 30T HOWO Truck heading for the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

NDLEA Public Affairs Officer, Jonah Achema, disclosed that the State Command Patrol Team halted the on-coming truck while an officer climbed into the truck to confirm the content, only for the driver to engage the engine and drove away with the hapless officer still in the bucket of the truck.

The members of the team mobilized and pursued the truck but the driver and one other person jumped off the vehicle and escaped.  The operatives had to manoeuvre the truck to the office to continue with further investigation. In the course of the operation, the team discovered some items and documents belonging to the suspects. 

The NDLEA Kogi State Commander, Alfred Adewunmi, said: “We have all the particulars of the vehicle that will enable us track the driver and the owners of the drug. We have the vehicle number plate, a telephone and some other documents that were recovered from the truck which the team took to the office for proper and further investigations.”

The documents indicate that the vehicle belongs to one Ibrahim, also known as Ade Bendel, from Edo State but based in Abuja, while the driver goes by Abor Bello, also from Edo State.

There are, however, indications that the drug belongs to a syndicate as the Drug Labeling on the bags indicate several owners.

According to Adewunmi, NDLEA would ensure the arrest and prosecution of the suspects. “We must sustain this tempo of drug interdiction in Kogi because of the strategic location of the state. Kogi requires intensive and extensive vigilance, being one of the few states that share borders with no fewer than 11 states.”

He enjoined members of the public to call on the Agency if in possession of any valuable information on drug activities within the state.

The commander said: "As the crack-down on drugs continues, it is only expected that all stakeholders will ensure collaboration without any rivalry so as not to undermine the need to bring these illicit drug criminals to book in the overall interest of the nation.”