The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency said its operatives, during an operation in Edo State, uncovered a shrine, guarded by a snake, being used for storing illicit drugs.
The NDLEA added that its operatives discovered a specially constructed large hole in a wall, hidden behind wallpapers and fetish objects used for drug storage.
A statement on Sunday by the NDLEA’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, noted that methamphetamine, Loud, Colorado and Arizona, all strong strains of cannabis with a total weight of 8.743kg among others, were recovered from the shrine.
The statement read, “A snake-guarded shrine used to store illicit drugs in Igor community, Benin city, Edo state, has been raided by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, who detected a specially constructed large hole storage in a wall covered with wallpapers and fetish objects.
“Different quantities of illicit substances such as methamphetamine, Loud, Colorado and Arizona, all strong strains of cannabis with a total weight of 8.743kg were pulled out from the deep hole dug in the wall of the shrine building.”
Babafemi said two ladies were arrested and the snake was demobilised.
He said, “At least, two ladies: Sonia Chinonso Ezumezu and Risikatu Tijani were arrested during the intelligence-led operation on Tuesday, June 18, 2024 after the big black snake guarding the shrine was demobilised.”
In a separate operation in Usen forest, Edo State, 209 kg of cannabis and a motorcycle were seized, with Obi Ferguson and Ernest Abanum apprehended.
In Lagos, NDLEA officers intercepted 8.2 kg of methamphetamine hidden in chocolate packs and speaker casings, arresting Michael Odiomume.
Meanwhile, in Abuja, a 76-year-old man, Francis Omofa, was caught with 340.8 kg of cannabis in a vehicle with fake security registration.
NDLEA’s ongoing War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) included sensitization activities in schools, worship centers, and communities across the country. NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa, commended the efforts and urged continued offensive actions against drug cartels.
