A Trans-border drug trafficker, 36-year-old Nkem Timothy, alias Auwalu Audu, has been arrested in Sokoto State by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) while trying to cross to Algeria through the Niger Republic with 62 wraps of substance suspected to be cocaine weighing 1.550kg, which has an estimated street value of about N1 billion.
The suspect
According to the acting state Commander of NDLEA in Sokoto, Bamidele Segun, the suspect was intercepted on a motorcycle around the baggage area at Illela border, while trying to cross to the Niger Republic but his final destination was Algeria, where he resides. The illicit drug was neatly concealed inside yoghurt bottles.
“He was found with an ECOWAS passport with a name written as Auwalu Audu, but he gave his real name as Nkem Timothy,” the commander stated, adding that his men had commenced further investigation to unravel his sponsor and other members of the drug cartel.
“This is a ground-breaking feat for us in the command, as the seizure of this magnitude of Type A drug (cocaine) has never been made in Sokoto Command before,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Adamawa State Command of the agency has also arrested one Umar Mohammed with 82 blocks of compressed cannabis sativa weighing 70kgs at Lafiya Lamurde area of the state.
In his reaction to the seizures, the Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Mohammed Buba Marwa, commended the two commands and charged them to remain vigilant and ensure no illicit drug goes in or out of their areas of responsibility.
