Operation Water Guard: NNS BEECROFT hands over 4 suspects, 72 bags of cannabis sativa to NDLEA
The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT has handed over 72 bags of arrested cannabis sativa, each weighing 40 kilograms alongside 4 suspects; 3 Ghanaians and 1 Beninoi to the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Marine Command.
The Commander NNS BEECROFT, Commodore Rafiu Oladejo, who was represented by the Executive Officer, Navy Captain Mutalib Raji, disclosed that the consignments were intercepted on 25 August 2024 by NNS BEECROFT Quick Response Team.
In a statement, the Base Command Officer, Lieutenant Hussaini Ibrahim, quoted Raji as attributing the success of the operation to credible and actionable intelligence received by NNS BEECROFT on suspicious activities of some criminal elements taking place around Lekki Beach Axes.
He added that the observed activities necessitated the deployment of Quick Response Team to the area for intensive patrol and search which resulted to interception of 72 bags of cannabis sativa weighing over 2880 kilograms.
Interestingly, the team also arrested 3 Ghanians – Mr. Godswill Zevor, Mr. Monday Kpomeja, Mr. Gbega Agbeko and a Beninoi Mr. Elugbe Philip; making a total of 4 suspects.
Captain Raji added that the strategic support of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, has been helpful to maintain credible presence along Lagos waterways and adjoining creeks, to ensure a safe and secured maritime environment for economic activities to thrive.
He used the opportunity to warn perpetrators of illicit drugs to desist from such acts as the NNS BEECROFT would continue to pursue every criminal element operating within its area of operation.
The NNS BEECROFT said the arrest of the four suspects testifies to its unrelenting efforts in curtailing the spread and use of illicit drugs among teaming youths, which negatively affect their health as well as threaten national security.
