Soldiers intercept truck carrying illicit drugs on Lagos-Calabar coastal road

Troops of the Nigerian Army have intercepted a truck conveying a large consignment of illicit drugs along the Lagos-Calabar coastal road.

In a statement on Sunday, Lt-Col Musa Yahaya, spokesman for the 81 Division, said the operation was carried out on July 9 and conducted by troops of the 65 Battalion, was based on credible intelligence.

He said troops intercepted the vehicle and arrested its driver, adding that preliminary investigations showed that the illicit drugs were being transported to the Berger area of Lagos state.

The military added that the suspect could not provide satisfactory information on the ownership of the consignment or its intended recipient.

The army said the suspect and the recovered drugs were handed over to the Lagos state command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and possible prosecution. It added that the handover was carried out by S. Adeojo, commanding officer of the 65 Battalion.

Maj-Gen Adebayo Babalola, General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 81 Division, commended the troops for what he described as their vigilance and professionalism.

He urged them to sustain ongoing operations and intensify efforts to deny drug traffickers and other criminal elements freedom of action within the division’s area of responsibility.