Operatives of the Zone 2 Command of the Nigeria Police Force, in collaboration with the Special Protection Unit (SPU) and divisional police detectives, have uncovered a major drug trafficking network in Lagos. The sting operation led to the seizure of hundreds of bags of suspected “Canadian Loud” a class of Cannabis Sativa grown in North America, worth billions of naira.
The SPU team received the intelligence and collaborated with the Zonal Criminal Investigation Department (ZCID) which coordinated the operation with technical expertise and guidance from the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, and the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, AIG Olohundare Jimoh.
The raid took place in an apartment inside an estate in Mende, Maryland. Officers arrested several suspects, including the alleged kingpin, Eke Henry Ifeanyi, 41, a businessman who imports digital printing papers used for Point of Sales (POS) and Automated Teller Machines (ATM) receipts.
Addressing newsmen at the scene on Saturday, AIG Jimoh said the command had mounted surveillance on Ekeh for several months before his arrest on May 19. He revealed that during the operation, the suspect offered a bribe of ₦500 million to the SPU commander to stand down the team and allow him contact his associates to move the consignment elsewhere.
AIG Jimoh stated that the incident underscored why specialized units like the SPU were being embedded within joint operations under IGP Disu’s grassroots policing strategy including rapid containment; intelligence led action, and professional conduct.
He said: “The SPU was deployed alongside divisional teams to secure the perimeter and prevent escape or interference with evidence. The unit acted on months of surveillance and technical intelligence before moving in, and the immediate rejection and documentation of the bribe attempt reflect the standard being set for redeployed personnel at the divisional level,” he said.
The police also recovered two BYD electric vehicles with forged presidency number plates marked NYCN 98 S, one Leopard hybrid vehicle with forged presidency number plate NYCN 10 SE, three Android phones, one Republic of Liberia resident permit card, two ATM cards and an Emporio Armani wristwatch.
Preliminary investigations, according to the AIG, revealed that the suspect allegedly operated under the cover of selling thermal paper rolls used in POS machines while secretly engaging in the distribution of illicit drugs through online platforms within and outside Lagos State.
Jimoh further alleged that the suspect used the vehicles bearing forged special number plates to evade security checks and suspicion while transporting the prohibited substances.
He said investigation had been intensified to apprehend other members of the syndicate and all persons connected with the illegal drug business.
The AIG assured residents of Lagos and Ogun states that the command was committed to reducing crimes and criminality within the zone through intelligence-led policing and collaboration with members of the public.
In his reaction, IGP Disu said: “The success validates the ongoing redeployment of personnel to divisions and units across Lagos and Ogun.
“Policing must be close to the people, and our specialized units must work side by side with divisional teams on the ground.
“The professionalism shown by the SPU commander in rejecting a ₦500 million bribe and following due procedure is the standard we expect. It shows that when you put your best foot forward at the grassroots, you get results and restore public trust.”
The IGP added that his administration would continue to reward integrity and hold officers accountable to the same standard.
“Exhibits recovered during the raid have been documented and will be presented in court. The suspects remain in custody as investigations continue to identify other members of the network,” he said.