Current state of drug addiction and health deterioration among Nigerian youths have skyrocketed in recent years as a result of the huge consumption of hard drugs and abuses. In fact, statistics show that over 11 percent of Nigeria’s youth population indulge in the intake of hard drugs such as syrup, Tramadol, Cocaine, amongst others. Also, a survey from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes noted that globally, over 275 million people indulged in drug abuse, with over 36 million people suffering from drug abuse disorder. The National Drug Use Survey, also indicated that there were about 14.3 million drug users between the age of 15 and 64 and over 3 million also suffering from drug abuse complications in Nigeria.
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have apprehended and paraded the General Overseer of Seraphic and Sabbath Assembly, High Priest Nnodu Azuka Kenrick, as well as Udezuka Udoka, a student of the Emmanuel College of Theology and the freight agent, Oyoyo Mary Obasi, for their involvement in the attempt to smuggle 283 parcels of skunk weighing about 14.90 kilograms, as well as 204 grams of methamphetamine which were screened in kegs of palm oil to be exported to Dubai via the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company(NAHCO) export shed of the Murtala Muhammed Airport.
Culprit says she was compelled to take on the job by the priest and son.
The High Priest was apprehended on Saturday, February 11, 2023, at his church situated around 1, Sabbath Close, Ijesha area of Lagos, after the arrests of his culprit on Thursday, February 9,2023, at the Lagos airport. Femi Babafemi, the Director of Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, noted that Oyoyo Mary inculpated the priest and his son, Chisom Obi, who was presently on the loose. Mary confessed that she was compelled to take on the job by the priest and his son, indicating that he (the priest) referred to these illicit drugs as ice and bible through their telephone conversations.
A spokesperson for the NDLEA revealed that Udoka, the theology student, was introduced to Mary to help her navigate the complexities of the business, as she was new to it. Udoka however said he was paid the sum of N2 million which he couldn’t reject, as he needed the funds for his education. According to reports, another attempt to export Cannabis and Tramadol worth 225mg to the United Arab Emirates by a returnee, Nnamani Monday Innocent, was thwarted after his arrest at the Trade Fair Complex, Ojo, Lagos.
NDLEA intercepts another consignment filled with 1,340kg of Cannabis.
On the same day, the NDLEA operatives assigned to the Skyway Aviation Handling Company PLC (SAHCO) were reported to have also intercepted a cargo routed to London. The consignment was reportedly filled with food items packed in cartons and the cartons walls used in concealing 1.10 kilograms of methamphetamine. Agbolor Emmanuel, the freight agent who was responsible for presenting the cargo for export was also apprehended. The NDLEA also intercepted another consignment filled with 1,340 kilograms of cannabis being transported from Ogbese, Ondo State on February 7, this year.
This intercepted consignment had Cannabis filled in a liquified natural gas truck to Okurikang Okoyong in Odukpani Council, Cross River State. About 130 bags of Cannabis and about 13 motorcycles designed by the cartels to convey the consignment into the forest were recovered from the truck. On Sunday, four members of a team distributing illicit drugs around Lekki via dispatch motorcycles were also arrested. 1.88kg of loud and assorted paraphernalia were found on these culprits.
Another suspect nabbed with 17kg of Cannabis in Kano State.
In another raid around Patey, Lagos Island on Tuesday, 79.1kg of skunk was seized by Civil Defense Corps. In Kano also, four suspects including Mamman Sani, Ado Shuaibu, Yahaya Shuaibu and Umar Musa were arrested for their connection with the seized 229 blocks of skunk weighing 131.1kg. Umar was apprehended on Tuesday at Tumfafi village and the other three culprits, arrested on Saturday at Garin Balarabe, Maigatari area of Jigawa State. Another suspect was also nabbed with 17kg of cannabis in Koki, Kano State.
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