The Nigerian Navy Ship Lugard in Lokoja successfully apprehended a retired soldier, Denis Foukorighe, and a civilian, Paul Obor, on the Ajaokuta-Lokoja Road in Kogi State.
The duo was found in possession of over 400 kilograms of a substance suspected to be hemp.
Subsequently, the Navy handed over the individuals and the illicit substance to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency in Lokoja on Friday.
Commodore Ugochukwu Ajulu, the Commander of NNS Lugard Lokoja, revealed during the suspects’ parade that the contraband was concealed in a Honda Accord saloon car.
The vehicle was en route from Edo State to Garki, Abuja, with the intention of commercial distribution. Both suspects, natives of Benue State, were apprehended on Tuesday as part of the navy’s routine check operations along the Ajaokuta-Lokoja Road.
Ajulu said, “We are here at NNS Lugard Lokoja to hand over the two culprits and the illicit substances weighing over 400kg including a Honda saloon car to NDLEA officials for onward prosecution in the law court.”
He noted that the naval checkpoints in Kogi had been active in line with the mandate given to them by the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla.
The officer-in-charge of Strike Force, NDLEA, Kogi State Command, Superintendent of Narcotics, Olorunfemi Abolarinwa, who received the two suspects on behalf of the agency, said they would be investigated thoroughly before facing prosecution to serve as a deterrent to others.
