A trans-border drug trafficker, Nkem Timothy (36), has been arrested in Sokoto by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) with suspected cocaine with street value of N1billion.
Nkem Timothy, alias Auwalu Audu, was reportedly arrested while trying to cross to Algeria through the Niger Republic with 62 wraps of substance suspected to be cocaine weighing 1.550 kilogrammes.
The Director, Media and Advocacy of NDLEA, Mr. Femi Babafemi, disclosed in a statement that the Acting State Commander of NDLEA in Sokoto State, Mr. Bamidele Segun, confirmed that the suspect was intercepted on a motorcycle around the Baggage area at Illela border while trying to cross to Niger Republic, with his final destination believed to be Algeria where he resides.
The illicit drug, he said, was neatly concealed inside Youghurt bottles at the time of his arrest.
Segun was quoted in the statement as saying thus: “He (Nkem Timothy) was found with an ECOWAS passport with different name written as Auwalu Audu but he gave his real name as Nkem Timothy.”
The Commander said his men have commenced further investigation to unmask his sponsor and other members of the trans-border drug cartel.
He said: “This is a ground breaking feat for us in the Command as seizure of this magnitude of type A drug (cocaine) has never been made in Sokoto Command before.”
In Adamawa State, the agency also arrested one Umar Mohammed with 82 blocks of compressed cannabis sativa weighing 70 kilogrammes at Lafiya Lamurde area of the State.
The Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Brig. General Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), commended the two commands and charged them to remain vigilant and ensure no illicit drug goes in or out of their areas of responsibility.