According to NDLEA, the suspect, 36-year-old Nkem Timothy, alias Auwalu Audu, was arrested with 62 wraps of cocaine substance weighing 1.550kg, which has an estimated street value of about N1bn.
The NDLEA Director, Media, and Advocacy, Mr. Femi Babafemi, said the suspect was arrested while trying to cross to Algeria through the Niger Republic.
He quoted the acting state Commander of NDLEA in Sokoto, Bamidele Segun, as saying that the suspect was intercepted on a motorcycle around the Baggage area at Illela border while trying to cross to the Niger Republic, with his final destination meant to be Algeria, where he resides.
He said the illicit drug was neatly concealed inside Yogurt bottles.
“He was found with an ECOWAS passport with the different name written as Auwalu Audu, but he gave his real name as Nkem Timothy,” the Commander stated, adding that his men had commenced further investigation to unravel his sponsor and other members of the transborder drug cartel.
“This is a groundbreaking feat for us in the command as the seizure of this magnitude of type A drug (cocaine) has never been made in Sokoto command before.”
Meanwhile, the Adamawa State Command of the agency has arrested one Umar Mohammed with 82 blocks of compressed cannabis sativa weighing 70kg.
He was arrested at Lafiya Lamurde area of Adamawa state.
Reacting to the seizures, the Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Brig-Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (Retd), commended the two commands and charged them to remain vigilant and ensure no illicit drug goes in or out of their areas of responsibility.
