Operatives of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Lugard have intercepted a wooden boat conveying 71 kilogrammes of suspected cannabis along the River Niger in Kogi State, arresting three suspects in connection with the illicit haul.
The Acting Executive Officer of NNS Lugard, Commander Christian Ottah, disclosed this on Wednesday during the formal handover of the suspects and exhibits to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Lokoja.
Ottah, who spoke through the Commander of NNS Lugard, Commander Adesola Ojo, stated that the arrest was executed following actionable intelligence.
“Our naval patrol team intercepted the wooden boat at about 4:30 p.m. on September 8 and escorted it to the NNS Lugard jetty, where the suspects and recovered exhibits were handed over to the base for further action,” Ottah said.
He noted that the interception highlights the role of timely information sharing and joint inter-agency operations in curbing narcotics trafficking and maritime criminality.
“NNS Lugard will continue to collaborate with the NDLEA and sister security agencies to strengthen surveillance, information sharing, and rapid response to security threats. We urge riverine communities, boat operators, and waterway users to promptly report suspicious activities to security agencies,” he added.
Ottah emphasized that the Navy remains committed to protecting lives, property, and critical national infrastructure, noting that the suspects remain innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.
Receiving the suspects and consignment, the Kogi State Commander of the NDLEA, Mr. Umar Yahuza—represented by the Commander of Narcotics, Mr. Tuki Andeshak—assured that a full investigation would be launched into the seizure.
“The agency will conduct a thorough investigation to determine the origin of the illicit drugs, identify the owner of the consignment, and trace and apprehend the suppliers,” Yahuza said.
The press briefing concluded with the signing of handover documents and the formal transfer of the three suspects alongside the 71kg of suspected cannabis to the NDLEA for further investigation and prosecution.
