The Nigerian Army apprehended a Beninese, Matthew Edegbe, and a Nigerian, Joshua Dansu, while attempting to smuggle a truckload of marijuana into the country.
On Tuesday, the suspects were apprehended during a stop-and-search operation along Ajilete road in Ogun State’s Yewa South Local Government Area.
According to Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, Director of Army Public Relations, the suspects transported the drug in a truck without a licence plate.
He went on to say that the troops’ investigation revealed that the marijuana was brought from Ghana.
“Troops of 192 Battalion Nigerian Army operating in 81 Division Area of Responsibility intercepted a suspected international drug syndicate smuggling a truckload of substance suspected to be Cannabis Sativa (Marijuana) en route Sango Otta in Ogun State on Tuesday, July 18, 2023.”
Read Also: Chairman of INEC, national commissioners meet with transport unions
“In response to actionable intelligence, troops conducted stop and search operations along Ajilete Road in Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State, intercepting and imprisoning the suspected truck without a registration number, which was loaded with 397 wraps of substance suspected to be marijuana.”
“It was discovered during the preliminary investigations that the illicit substance concealed in the truck was transported from Ghana through the Benin Republic via Igholo-Idiroko en route Sango Otta.”
“The suspects conveying the illegal drugs have been identified as Mr. Matthew Edegbe, a Benin Republic national, and Mr. Joshua Dansu of Idiroko, both of whom are currently assisting in ongoing investigations.”
He stated that the suspects recovered a Benin Republic National Identification card and a driver’s licence belonging to one George Benyagbe, among other things.
“Items recovered from the suspects include the truck’s registration number, identified as (T 1826 LA Lagos), which was detached and concealed in the vehicle to prevent identification, an Infinix and Itel phone, one iPhone, a Benin Republic National Identification card, and a Driver’s licence belonging to one George Benyagbe, as well as the sum of Seven Thousand Naira (N7000) only.”
However, Onyema stated that the suspects, vehicle, and exhibits had been taken into custody and would be turned over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.
