NDLEA arrests chief priest of Lagos shrine, accuses him of harbouring 2.7kg skunk

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has arrested the traditional chief priest of the Igunuko shrine, Alpha beach Ajah, Lekki, in Lagos, Bariu Aliu (alias Malo).

Femi Babafemi, spokesman of the agency, on Sunday in a statement said 2,760kg skunk was recovered on October 25, 2024, in the shrine which led to a  by NDLEA three-month manhunt for him.

He said, “Two of Malo’s accomplices were arrested at the shrine last year and had been charged and convicted in court, the priest is said to be the leader of the syndicate.”

Babfemi said a suspect, Habibu Ya’u, 23, was also nabbed by NDLEA officers who raided Gadar Tamburawa, Zaria road, Kano on Thursday January 9 where they recovered 45 blocks of cannabis weighing 24.2kg; and 40,800 pills of opioids including tramadol from him.

“With the same vigour, Commands and formations of the agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, sensitization activities to schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others in the past week.

“These include WADA enlightenment lecture to students and staff of Ijaye Housing Estate Junior Secondary School, Lagos state; surrendered Boko Haram members at Hajj camp, Maiduguri, Borno State; Muslim faithful during their Juma’at prayer at Kamba Central Mosque, Kebbi State, while Kano State Command paid a WADA advocacy visit to the District Head of Danbatta, Dr. Mansur Mukhtar, among others.”