By BANNERNEWS Reporter, Lokoja
The Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS Lugard, has arrested three suspects with 71 kilogrammes of substances suspected to be cannabis, also known as Indian hemp, along the River Niger in Kogi State.
The suspects were arrested on September 8 during an operation under Operation Accord 3, following credible intelligence on suspected illicit drug trafficking along the waterway.
The Acting Executive Officer of NNS Lugard, Commander Christian Ottah, disclosed this in Lokoja while handing over the suspects and the recovered exhibits to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Ottah, represented by the Commander of NNS Lugard, Commander Adesola Ojo, said the naval patrol team intercepted the boat at about 4:30 p.m. and escorted it to the NNS Lugard jetty.
According to him, the suspects and the suspected cannabis were subsequently taken to the naval base for further action.
He said the operation demonstrated the importance of timely intelligence and collaboration among security agencies in tackling drug trafficking and other maritime crimes.
Ottah urged riverine communities, boat operators and other users of the waterways to report suspicious activities to security agencies to enable prompt intervention.
He assured that NNS Lugard would continue to work with the NDLEA and other security agencies to strengthen surveillance, intelligence sharing and response to security threats along the waterways.
Receiving the suspects and exhibits, the Kogi State Commander of the NDLEA, Mr Umar Yahuza, represented by Commander of Narcotics Mr Tuki Andeshak, said the agency would conduct a thorough investigation into the consignment.
Andeshak said the investigation would focus on establishing the source and ownership of the suspected illicit drug and tracing the supplier.
He assured that the agency would make efforts to identify and apprehend other persons connected with the consignment.
The three suspects and the 71kg of suspected cannabis were formally handed over to the NDLEA for further investigation and possible prosecution.
