Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
In its determined efforts to join other agencies to stem the tide of illicit drugs in the country, the Nigerian Navy ship,(NNS) BEECROFT has handed over 66 sacks of cannabis sativa with a combined weight 2, 640kg worth N200 million to the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Addressing Journalists while handing over the substance, to the NDLEA, The Commander, NNS BEECROFT, Commodore Kolawole Oguntuga said, sacks of cannabis were impounded between August 21, and September 10, 2023.
He said that the substance were impounded around the Iworo; Ibeshe, and Badagry areas of the Lagos state, using the Nigerian Navy domain awareness surveillance equipment, the Falcon Eye.
“This facility has a 24 hours surveillance of Nigeria’s maritime environment in order to detect any kind of illegality within the maritime environment.
“The alignment detected supposed vessel, boats that ventured within the maritime environment Iworo, Ibeshe and Badagry general area of Lagos State.
“However, by the time our men arrived, the perpetrators had absconded but we were able to apprehend the substances that will have been smuggled into the state,”Oguntuga said.
He added that the Nigerian Navy remains resolute in the pursuit of its constitutional role of policing the water ways, adding that it will not relent in the arrest of perpetrators of this art.
“We the Nigerian Navy under the leadership of Vice Admiral Ikechukwu Ogalla, remains resolute to wipe away these criminals and to ensure that perpetrators of nefarious activities were not seen within the maritime environment”, Oguntuga added.
He further promised Nigerians, that the force, with the collaboration of the appropriate agencies will leave no stone unturned to make sure the country’s water ways remains safe for individuals who are carrying out their legitimate duties.
He therefore called on the perpetrators of these acts to desist from it henceforth, because the security agencies, will continue to go after them, to make sure these acts of illegality is stopped.
Receiving the substance, Mr. Paul Ahom, the Commander of Narcotics, the Marine Commander NDLEA, Lagos said in line with what NDLEA do, efforts are on to put an end to these menace.
Ahom said that NNS BEECROFT had been doing a great job in combating crime and drug trafficking around the Western Naval Command Area of Responsibility.
“He said the Nigerian waters are the engine for drug trafficking, therefore, NDLEA alone cannot do the job, therefore we need the collaboration of the Nigerian Navy”.
He said in recent times the Nigerian Navy has complemented the efforts of the NDLEA by intercepting and transferring high preponderance of drugs exhibits to the NDLEA.
“This has gone a long way in curbing the menace of drug trade that has come to ravage our country and put the name of our country into disrepute,” he said.
“It is very difficult to exterminate drug trafficking worldwide, however, we are providing a palliative measure and try to reduce it to the barest minimum.
“It will be difficult as law enforcement agents to terminate this, even thou we have the mandate as drugs agents into drug trafficking in Nigeria.
Ahom said, The Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Brigadier-General Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd), has also ventured into “WADA” “War Against Drug Abuse” as another means of wiping off drugs from Nigerians shore. As we propagate the message to rural areas, communities, churches and various unions.
