The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has recorded a major breakthrough in its fight against drug trafficking with the interception of a fresh consignment of the dangerous stimulant known as Captagon in Kwara State.
According to the agency, the seizure marks a significant development nearly five years after its first discovery of the substance in Africa at the Apapa seaport in Lagos. Captagon, a highly addictive amphetamine commonly abused in the Middle East, is known for inducing extreme alertness, fearlessness, and risky behavior among users.
The agency revealed that the drug is often linked to militant financing, particularly by groups such as Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, where it is used both as a revenue source and as a stimulant for fighters.
The latest interception occurred along Bode Saadu road in Kwara State, where operatives arrested a suspect, Nasiru Muazu, found with 10,000 pills of Captagon and additional quantities of Tapentadol. In a separate operation, officers recovered large volumes of tramadol, bromazepam, and other controlled substances hidden in a trailer, leading to the arrest of another suspect.
Further operations across the country led to multiple arrests and seizures. In Oyo State, a suspect was caught smuggling internally, excreting 45 pellets weighing over one kilogram. Investigations revealed plans to traffic the drugs through trans Saharan routes դեպի Europe.
In Edo State and Cross River State, operatives uncovered massive quantities of opioids and cannabis, including the destruction of 20,000 kilograms of illicit crops on farmland. Additional seizures were made in Bauchi State, Ekiti State, Niger State, and Lagos State, highlighting the nationwide scope of the crackdown.
Chairman of the agency, Mohamed Buba Marwa, commended officers for their efforts, describing the Captagon seizure as a major disruption to emerging trafficking networks. He emphasized that the agency remains vigilant in preventing the spread of substances that fuel crime and insecurity.
The NDLEA also continued its War Against Drug Abuse campaign through sensitization programs in schools and communities, reinforcing its dual strategy of enforcement and prevention.
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