The Nigerian Navy has arrested and handed over 27 suspects to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
This followed a raid conducted by the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT at identified criminal safe haven in Gidan Drama, located at Malu Road, Apapa.
Speaking during the handover ceremony in Lagos on Wednesday, the Commander NNS BEECROFT, Commodore Paul Ponfa Nimmyel, who was represented by the Executive Officer, Captain Idongesit Udoessien, explained that the 27 suspects comprised 24 males and 3 females.
He said the raid was carried out on Saturday, 5 April 2025 by personnel of NNS BEECROFT following credible intelligence received by the Base on the presence of suspected drug peddlers in Gidan Drama which necessitated the deployment of Operation MESA.
He said: “I am here to hand over 27 suspects, our base of Nigerian Navy conducted a raid on identified safe criminal havens at Gidan Drama at Malu Road, Apapa. It was based on credible information that we received of suspected drug peddlers in that area that necessitated the deployment of operation MESA and we conducted a raid.
“During the raid, a total of 27 suspected drug pedders comprising three females and 24 males were arrested with hard drugs and other illicit substances.
“The successful conduct of the operation underscores Nigerian Navy and the Nigerian Navy Ship Beecroft’s unwavering commitment to curtailing the use of illicit drugs among our youths which can adversely affect their health and threatens our national security.”
State Commander, Lagos Strategic Command, NDLEA, Abubakar Wali, represented by Assistant Commander, Narcotic, Steven Ogunsua, said the handover of the suspects underscored the synergy between the Nigerian Navy and the NDLEA.
He said: “On the exchange of this suspects and exhibits being gallantly seized, this shows the synergy we have with the Nigerian Navy, for us to reduce the availability of such substances in our society.
“These are drugs that affect the central nervous system, are psychoactive and depressant in nature. These drugs, having taken them, your system can never be the same. Some of the drugs were formerly being sold in our various pharmacies but because of the abuse of such drugs, they were listed under drugs to be controlled.
“Meanwhile they seized the opportunity to be selling them to our youths, members of our community and others and it is really affecting them. We really appreciate the active efforts of the Nigerian Navy.”
