Lagos: Guns boom, Blood Flow, As NDLEA Arrests Female Drug Baron

By Akinwale Kasali

The fight against drug cartels and excessive abuse of drugs among Nigerians, mostly Youths, took a new twist at the Lagos Island area of the State as officers of the National Drug Law enforcement Agency, NDLEA, engaged in a free for all fight with youths in Lagos Island while attempting to enforce the arrest of a suspected drug lord in the area.

As Operatives of the Agency raided the drug den to effect arrest, youths in the area unleashed  mayhem on them, using dangerous and deadly weapons on the officers.

This, however, led to the death of one with several injured as the NDLEA shot at their attackers who obstructed them from arresting the notorious drug kingpin who resisted arrest, and attracted the attention of youths.

Reacting, NDLEA stated it acted on credible intelligence that a major drug kingpin operating the notorious Patey Lagos Island drug haven, in Lagos state, identified as Sherifat Kehinde Lawal, was the main target of the NDLEA before the youths unleashed mayhem to shield her from arrest.

Against all odds, the men of the NDLEA arrested her along with six other suspects.

The NDLEA operatives recovered 5,862 kilograms of assorted illicit drugs including Loud and Codeine in the raid on Saturday 26th February 2022.

In a statement, Femi Babafemi, Director, Media & Advocacy said, “Following credible intelligence and follow up surveillance on illicit drug dealing in Osho, Gambari, and Beecroft Streets, Patey Area of Lagos Island, anti-narcotic officers stormed the Gambari street base of the drug kingpin where they arrested her and six of her accomplices at 9:30 am, Saturday 26th Feb.

“Other members of the cartel operating in the axis, however, mobilised hoodlums who attacked the operatives with stones, bottles and guns in a bid to prevent the officers from arresting other kingpins marked for arrest as well as taking the suspects already nabbed and drug exhibits away.

“The operatives were able to tactically defend themselves, took the suspects and exhibits away. Other suspects in custody with Mrs Lawal include Ahmed Yisau; Solomon Alape; Olayemi Akinola; Salami Qudus; Bakare Rafiu; Rose Samson; Yusuf Rofiat, and Chukwudi Egon.

“In his reaction to the development, Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) commended the officers and men of the Lagos Command of the Agency for the successful operation.

“He warned those being used by drug cartels to obstruct or attack anti-narcotic officers in the course of doing their work to desist or face dire consequences.”