Drug: NDLEA nabs wanted barons, ensures conviction of district head

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency says it has arrested two high-profile drug lords, Hakeem Babatunde Salami and Okafor Ikechukwu Williams.

It added that it seized significant illicit drugs and assets valued in billions of naira.

According to a statement by the NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, the operation followed weeks of intelligence-led efforts conducted both within and outside the country.

Babafemi explained that capture of the wanted drug kingpins came shortly after NDLEA officers intercepted shipments of cocaine and heroin concealed within the belongings of traffickers bound for Paris, France, and Doha, Qatar at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.

The statement further added, “Hakeem Babatunde Salami, the alleged leader of the ‘Tajudeen Babatunde Abioye Transnational Criminal Organization’, known for the illegal trade of narcotics such as cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and ephedrine across countries including Nigeria, Brazil, Ghana, South Africa, Mozambique, and Europe, was apprehended. Salami had fled to South Africa following the arrest of one of his syndicate members.

“Okafor Ikechukwu Williams, also known as Jantu, and his wife, Okafor Ifeyinwa Grace, were apprehended during an NDLEA raid at their hideout in Lagos. The operation led to the discovery of a significant quantity of methamphetamine intended for export to Europe and Asia, along with the confiscation of their vehicle.”

Babafemi also said the NDLEA conducted a successful operation on the Okene-Lokoja-Abuja expressway, where they intercepted a commercial bus traveling from Lagos to Kano.

He added, “During a search, they seized a large sum of money in US dollars and suspected counterfeit currency.

“In Sokoto, an acting district head, Alhaji Umar Mohammed (aka Dan Bala), was sentenced to five and a half years in jail for possession and dealing in cannabis and psychotropic drugs. This conviction came after a case filed by NDLEA in October 2022.

“Several other drug traffickers were also arrested in different parts of the country, and NDLEA carried out War Against Drug Abuse advocacy campaigns in various schools, markets, worship centers, and communities to combat drug abuse.

The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), expressed his confidence that NDLEA personnel would remain vigilant and continue to combat criminal networks regardless of the challenges and distractions they may encounter.”