In a significant achievement, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has apprehended two notorious leaders of transnational criminal organizations involved in the illicit drug trade, with their operations worth billions of naira.
The anti-narcotics agency also successfully seized substantial assets linked to these drug traffickers following weeks of intelligence-led operations both within and outside the country. The agency’s Director of Media & Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, made this revelation at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja on Sunday.
According to Babafemi, the duo was apprehended while attempting to transport concealed cocaine and heroin in their stomachs through the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. These consignments were designated for destinations in Paris, France, and Doha.
The statement released by the NDLEA highlights the key details of these operations, stating, “Operatives at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja Lagos, on Tuesday, 10th October, succeeded in taking into custody Hakeem Babatunde Salami, the mastermind behind the ‘Tajudeen Babatunde Abioye Transnational Criminal Organisation.’ This criminal organization is notorious for its involvement in the illegal trade of various narcotics, including cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and ephedrine, across multiple countries, such as Nigeria, Brazil, Ghana, South Africa, Mozambique, and Europe.
“Hakeem Babatunde Salami had previously fled Nigeria for South Africa following the arrest of one of his syndicate members, Suleiman Babatunde Oba, at the Lagos airport on August 25. Suleiman was apprehended while attempting to export 25.10 kilograms of ephedrine to South Africa.
“However, Hakeem Babatunde Salami was ultimately tracked down and captured through the collaborative efforts of South African authorities, as well as other intelligence and investigative mechanisms. As part of the ongoing operations, some of his luxury vehicles have been confiscated, and his residence in Surulere, Lagos, has been sealed. Additional members of this criminal cartel, including Suleiman and Godwin Edet Mathew, are already in custody.”
In a related development, the NDLEA has also made a significant seizure of $4.8 million in counterfeit currency. The details of this operation and any additional developments will be disclosed as the investigation progresses.
The NDLEA continues to demonstrate its commitment to tackling drug-related crimes and transnational criminal organizations. These recent apprehensions and asset seizures highlight the agency’s dedication to curbing the illegal drug trade and related criminal activities, both at home and abroad.
