The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it applied the element of surprise during its recent drug burst in Lagos, contrary to public opinion on social media.
NDLEA's Director of Media and Advocacy Femi Babafemi made this known while speaking on Nigeria Info’s Hard Facts.
The agency had on Wednesday announced the seizure of about N194,775,000,000 worth of cocaine at a warehouse in a gated community in Lagos State’s Ikorodu district.
The burst has since generated several reactions on social media with some questioning the lack of resistance during the raid.
Babafemi however noted that the members of the drug cartel made attempts to resist the men of the NDLEA, but with the support of the military personnel attached to the team, the attempts were foiled immediately.
Babafemi says the recent high-profile drug burst in Ikorodu and Victoria Garden City (VGC) areas of Lagos is indicative of the fact that drug barons prefer residential areas with a lot of restrictions on access.
"The operation lasted two days," he said, adding that the individuals arrested will have their day in court for prosecution.
"At the end of the prosecution, all illicit substances in central exhibits at the agency will be destroyed publicly," he added.
Additionally, the Director of Media and Advocacy stated that in addition to raiding drug cartel hideouts, "our advocacy initiatives under the banner of war against drug abuse" are focused on preventing people from taking these substances and also rehabilitating existing addicts.