Joseph Chibu
The Nigerian Navy, through Naval Base EPE, has arrested two suspected drug dealers and recovered illicit substances during intelligence led operations conducted in Epe and Ibeju Lekki areas of Lagos State.
The operation, conducted on September 13, 2026, targeted suspected drug trafficking hideouts identified through intelligence gathering by the naval patrol team.
The team first raided an area around Etitu in Epe Local Government Area, where a suspected syndicate allegedly involved in the sale of Cannabis sativa was operating.
During the operation, the naval personnel recovered quantities of suspected Cannabis sativa from the location.
The patrol team subsequently moved to other suspected drug dealing locations around Gidan Drama and Kara Market, as well as the Eleko Junction axis in Ibeju Lekki Local Government Area.
Two suspects, identified as 28 year old Aliu and 28 year old Olamide Ariyo, were arrested during the operations. The suspects were found in possession of substances suspected to be illicit drugs.
The naval team also raided another suspected drug distribution hideout around Flower House, near the Paint axis in Epe, where additional quantities of suspected illicit drugs were recovered.
In all, the operation yielded 576 wraps of suspected illicit substances and approximately five kilogrammes of Cannabis sativa, according to the Naval Base Epe.
Following the arrests and preliminary investigation, the suspects and recovered substances were handed over to Assistant Commander of Narcotics and officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Epe, for further investigation and prosecution. The handover was carried out by the representative of the Commander, Naval Base EPE, Navy Lieutenant C.K. Ndubisi, to the NDLEA team led by ACN Tope Oluwafemi.
The Commander, Naval Base EPE, Navy Captain Levi Deyin, warned suspected drug traffickers and other criminal elements to desist from illicit activities. He said the naval base would continue intelligence led operations to deny criminals freedom of action and disrupt criminal activities within its area of responsibility.