A major drug trafficking network has been uncovered by operatives of the Zone 2 Command of the Nigeria Police Force, with the seizure of hundreds of bags of suspected Canadian Loud worth billions of naira and arrest of a suspected kingpin, Eke Henry Ifeanyi, aged 41, and other suspects.
The raid took place inside an apartment in an estate in Mende, Maryland, and the police said that the illicit substances were recovered from Ifeanyi’s residence.
Thenewsbearer learnt that the sting operation was carried out in joint operation with the Special Protection Unit (SPU) and divisional police detectives after the SPU team received the intelligence about the illicit drugs and collaborated with the Zone 2 Headquarters.
The operation, it was further gathered, was coordinated with technical expertise and guidance from Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Olatunji Disu, and Assistant Inspector-General of Police Moshood Jimoh.
Addressing newsmen at the scene on Saturday, May 23, AIG Jimoh said that the command had mounted surveillance on the suspect for several months before his arrest on May 19.
The AIG disclosed that during the operation, the suspect offered a bribe of ₦500 million to the SPU commander in an attempt to make the team stand down and allow him contact his associates to move the consignment elsewhere.
The offer was rejected outright, and the commander immediately documented the attempt for further investigation.
AIG Jimoh stated that the incident underscores why specialised units like the SPU are being embedded within joint operations under IGP Disu’s grassroots policing strategy, which includes rapid containment to prevent escape or interference with evidence, intelligence-led action and professional conduct.
Reacting to the operation, IGP Disu said that the successful operation was a validation of the ongoing redeployment of personnel to divisions and units across Lagos and Ogun State Commands.
He further stated that “policing must be close to the people, and our specialised units must work side by side with divisional teams on the ground,” adding: “The professionalism shown by the SPU commander in rejecting a ₦500 million bribe and following due procedure is the standard we expect. It shows that when you put your best foot forward at the grassroots, you get results and restore public trust.”
The IGP added that his administration will continue to reward integrity and hold officers accountable to the same standard.
Exhibits recovered during the raid are said to have been documented for presentation in court, while the suspects remain in custody as investigations continue to identify other members of the network.
