Army Bust International Drug Syndicate, Arrest Two Suspects

A suspected international drug syndicate was arrested by troops of the 192 Battalion Nigerian Army operating in the 81 Division Area of Responsibility on Tuesday, July 18.

The syndicate was arrested for smuggling a truckload of substance suspected to be Cannabis Sativa (Marijuana) en route Sango Otta in Ogun State.

This was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu.

General Nwachukwu said the troops while responding to actionable intelligence, conducted stop and search operations along Ajilete Road in Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State, during which they intercepted and impounded the suspected truck without a Registration number, loaded with 397 wraps of substance suspected to be marijuana.

According to him, preliminary investigations revealed that the illicit substance concealed in the truck was transported from Ghana through Benin Republic via Igholo-Idiroko en route Sango Otta.

“The suspects conveying the illegal drugs have been identified as Mr. Matthew Edegbe, a Benin Republic national, and Mr. Joshua Dansu of Idiroko, who are currently assisting in ongoing investigations,” the statement reads.

“Items recovered from the suspects include the truck’s Registration number identified as (T 1826 LA Lagos), which was detached and concealed in the vehicle to prevent identification, an Infinix and Itel phone, one iPhone, a Benin Republic National Identification card, and a Driver’s license belonging to one George Benyagbe, as well as the sum of Seven Thousand Naira (N7000) only.

“The suspects, vehicle, and exhibits have been taken into custody, pending handing over to National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Lagos State Command.

“Recall that troops of the Battalion have on Saturday 15 July 2023 intercepted a truckload of over 20,000 cartridges of ammunition heading to Anambra state.”

Meanwhile, Kanyi Daily reported that two fighters of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Eastern Security Network (ESN) were killed by security forces at Fuji Junction general area in Asaba, Delta state.

The two fighters were killed in a fierce encounter with combined troops of 63 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police, and Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) on Monday 17 July 2023.