NDLEA nabbed Lekki chief priest after major drug bust

Abdullateef Fowewe

In a significant operation, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has arrested the traditional chief priest of the Igunuko shrine, Bariu Aliu, at Alpha Beach, Ajah, Lekki area of Lagos, on Sunday, January 12.

Aliu, also known as Malo, was apprehended after a three-month manhunt following the seizure of 2,760 kg of skunk on October 25, 2024.

A statement on Sunday by the NDLEA’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, stated that two accomplices were previously convicted last year, with Aliu identified as the syndicate’s leader.

He wrote, “In Lagos, the traditional chief priest of the Igunuko shrine, Alpha beach Ajah Lekki where 2,760kg skunk was recovered on 25th October 2024, Bariu Aliu (alias Malo) has been arrested by NDLEA operatives after over three months of manhunt for him.

“Though two of his accomplices were earlier arrested at the shrine last year and had since been charged and convicted in court, Bariu was said to be the leader of the syndicate.”

Babafemi further disclosed that A 23-year-old suspect identified as Habibu Ya’u, was nabbed by NDLEA officers who raided Gadar Tamburawa, Zaria road, Kano on Thursday, January 9, where the operatives recovered 45 blocks of cannabis weighing 24.2kg; and 40,800 pills of opioids including tramadol from him.

“With the same vigour, Commands and formations of the Agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, sensitization activities to schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others in the past week.

“These include: WADA enlightenment lecture to students and staff of Ijaye Housing Estate Junior Secondary School, Lagos state; surrendered Boko Haram members at Hajj camp, Maiduguri, Borno state; Muslim faithful during their Juma’at prayer at Kamba Central Mosque, Kebbi state, while Kano state Command paid a WADA advocacy visit to the District Head of Danbatta, Dr. Mansur Mukhtar, among others,” the spokesman added.

However, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the agency, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd) while commending the officers and men of the agency for the arrests and seizures, expressed that their operational successes and those of their compatriots across the country especially their balanced approach to drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts are well appreciated.