NDLEA Arrest Lagos Traditional Chief Priest Accused of Leading Trafficking Syndicate

• NDLEA Arrest Two of Alius Accomplices
• NDLEA recovers 2,760 kilograms of skunk at Igunuko shrine in October 2024

Following a three-month manhunt, NDLEA operatives successfully apprehended Aliu, also known as ‘Malo,’ in connection with the large-scale drug seizure

Eko Hot Blog gathered that the investigation into the drug trafficking syndicate led to the recovery of 2,760 kilograms of skunk at the Igunuko shrine in October 2024, with Aliu allegedly playing a central role in the operation.

EDITOR’S PICK

• ‘Miracles Were Verified’ – Former Dunamis Pastor, Tim Benedict Responds to Abraham Daniel’s Fake Testimony Claims
• AGN President, Emeka Rollas Arrested in Abia
• Kano Emirship Dispute: Bayero Rejects Appeal Court Ruling, Heads to Supreme Court

Femi Babafemi, NDLEA’s Director of Media & Advocacy, stated on Sunday that two of Aliu’s accomplices had previously been arrested, charged, and convicted.

The arrest signifies a significant development in the ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking and dismantle illicit operations in Nigeria.

The statement reads in part, “In Lagos, the traditional chief priest of the Igunuko shrine, Alpha beach Ajah Lekki where 2,760kg skunk was recovered on 25th October 2024, Bariu Aliu (alias Malo) has been arrested by NDLEA operatives after over three months of manhunt for him.

“Though two of his accomplices were earlier arrested at the shrine last year and had since been charged and convicted in court, Bariu was said to be the leader of the syndicate.”

It said, “In another raid in the FCT, two suspects: Anthony Nnamdi, 42, and Abba Ali, 27, were arrested by NDLEA officers at Nyanya, where a combined 1.398kg cocaine and a precursor substance used in preparing crack cocaine were recovered from them.

“No fewer than 20 wraps of cocaine weighing 330grams have been recovered from a cargo going to Australia at a logistics firm in Lagos by officers of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation, DOGI, in NDLEA. The cocaine parcels were concealed around the body of face cream containers in the shipment.

“A total of Three Hundred and Thirty-Eight Thousand Two Hundred (338,200) bottles of codeine-based syrup worth more than One Billion One Hundred and Ninety Million One Hundred and Sixty-Eight Thousand Two Hundred Naira (N1,190,168,200.00) in street value, were intercepted in two containers watch-listed by the Agency following processed intelligence.

“The illicit consignments were discovered during joint examination of the containers by NDLEA operatives, Customs and other security agencies on Thursday 9th and Friday 10th January 2025 at the Port Harcourt Ports Complex, Onne, Rivers state.”

FURTHER READING

• Social Media Must Follow UK Law Despite Meta’s Changes – Minister
• Zverev Beats Pouille to Kickstart Australian Open Campaign
• Anthony Joshua Urges Athletes, Entertainers to Focus on Business for Sustainable Wealth

“A suspect, Habibu Ya’u, 23, was nabbed by NDLEA officers who raided Gadar Tamburawa, Zaria Road, Kano on Thursday 9th January where they recovered 45 blocks of cannabis weighing 24.2kg; and 40,800 pills of opioids including tramadol from him,” it added.

Click here to watch video of the Week

---

Advertise or Publish a Story on EkoHot Blog:

Kindly contact us at [email protected]. Breaking stories should be sent to the above email and substantiated with pictorial evidence.

Citizen journalists will receive a token as data incentive.

Call or Whatsapp: 0803 561 7233, 0703 414 5611