Army foils drug shipment, hands suspect to NDLEA in Kogi

Troops of the 12 Brigade Nigerian Army have intercepted a major courier transporting a large consignment of Cannabis Sativa from Ekiti State to Obajana, Kogi State.

According to a post shared on the Brigade’s X handle on Tuesday, the Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 12 Brigade Nigerian Army, Lieutenant Hassan Abdullahi, said the operation took place on Monday when soldiers deployed at the Agbede Response Area conducted a routine stop-and-search on a Toyota Camry with registration number DKA 158AU.

Abdullahi explained that the vehicle, driven by Mr. Johnson Ayo, immediately drew suspicion after troops noticed a branded police hat and belt displayed on the dashboard.

A thorough search of the vehicle uncovered 10 sacks of Cannabis Sativa, weighing 108.8 kilograms, concealed within the car. Preliminary investigations indicate that movements of this scale play a significant role in sustaining criminal enterprises and contribute to the chain of activities that often escalate into banditry within Kogi and surrounding states,” the post read.

He added that the suspect and the recovered exhibits have been handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Kogi State Command, for further investigation and necessary action.

The Nigerian Army reaffirmed its commitment to supporting national initiatives aimed at curbing drug trafficking, dismantling criminal networks, enhancing public safety, and maintaining a secure environment for all citizens.

Kogi has long been identified as a strategic transit corridor for illicit drugs and other contraband due to its central location and extensive road network linking Northern and Southern Nigeria.

Criminal groups often exploit these routes to transport narcotics, firearms, and other illegal items, which in turn finance activities such as banditry, kidnapping, and armed robbery