- Safiu Kehinde
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has granted special promotion to eight of its officers following their interception of 60 Bags of Ghanaian ‘loud’.
This was disclosed in a statement signed by the NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, and issued on the agency’s official X handle.
According to the statement, agency’s Chief Executive Officer, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) approved special promotion for eight officers of the Marine Command of the Agency for their brave and professional conduct during a recent operation to arrest drug traffickers and interdict canoes and boats moving illicit drugs from Ghana to Nigeria through the Lagos waterways.
Narrating the officers’ exploit, Marwa disclosed how the officers had swiftly acted on an intelligent report on the boat conveying 60 bags of Ghanaian Loud, a strong strain of cannabis, weighing 2, 400 kgs, which they seized while also arresting the suspected traffickers and their boats.
“On the 23rd of August 2024, the Special Marine Squad received actionable intelligence at 3am. They immediately swung into action and intercepted a boat along Alfa beach, in Lekki, Lagos.
“Another boat was equally sighted. They however faced some unfavourable encounter in the process of intercepting the second boat, but in the face of violent provocation, our officers did not lose focus, as they went ahead to recover the exhibits.
“They were able to seize 60 bags of Ghanaian Loud, a strong strain of cannabis, weighing 2, 400 kgs. They successfully arrested a suspect, Hambo Tete, 30, who is Ghanaian and impounded the exhibit boat powered by three outboard engines. The action of these officers in the night was significant for two reasons.
“First, it is an affirmation that we have been successful at making the normal trafficking routes through the airport and land borders impenetrable.
“Hence, traffickers seeking alternative routes are trying to turn to the waterways.
“The second significance is that such traffickers will meet their Waterloo even on the waterways because of the presence of our Marine Command.” Marwa said.
While commending the officers, the NDLEA boss charged them to sustain the integrity of the agency and its fight against drug trafficking.
The promoted officers include: Dick Aaron Dick; Alabi Mayowa; Gabriel Ubokikwan; Aso Daniel John; Abdul Emmanuel Sule; Ngabolo Victor Sonpano; Jonah Emmanuel Sule and Membe Timipa Gabriel.