Navy storms Criminal Hideout in Apapa, Arrests 27 Suspected Drug Peddlers
By Idun Maximus
The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT has arrested 27 suspected drug peddlers during a coordinated raid on a known criminal hideout in the Gidan Drama area of Malu Road, Apapa, Lagos.
AbeyaNews reports the operation, which took place on Saturday, April 5, was carried out by personnel of NNS BEECROFT following credible intelligence on the activities of drug traffickers in the area. The Executive Officer of the base, Captain Idongesit Udoessien, who represented the Commander, Commodore Paul Ponfa Nimmyel, confirmed the arrests in a statement released on Tuesday.
The suspects, which included 24 males and 3 females, were apprehended with hard drugs and other illicit substances. The Nigerian Navy said the suspects were immediately handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and prosecution.
The arrested females were identified as:
Ajike Rahime (20), Padipe Olamiposin (20) and Ayike Yusuf (21)
The 24 male suspects included:
Samaili Ibrahim (21), Yusuf Danjuma (30), Hamisu Sanusi (34), Odi Yahaya (20), Adamu Umaru (23), Friday Ochoba (45)
And Michael Istwuo (25)
Others are Eze Frank (40), Joshua Esua (20), Daus John (19), Musa Andrawus (34), Nwakaeze David (21), Abubakar Shamsu (24), Elisha Mark (18), Mohammed Umar (22), Bashir Abubakar (30) and Nafiu Hassan (35).
The rest are Akombi Dele Yusuf (34), Abdullahi Yusuf (23), Abba Usman (22), Ukasha Alhassan (29), Abdullazeez Yusuf (18), Joshua Emmanuel (21) and Justice Obasa (32).
Captain Udoessien stated that the operation underscores the Navy’s continued commitment to combatting the proliferation of illicit drugs, which poses a major threat to youth welfare and national security.
“The Navy remains committed to ridding our communities of criminal elements and curbing the spread of illicit substances that undermine public safety,” he said.
