Police Smash Hard Drugs Syndicate Inside Market

CYRIACUS IZUEKWE

The fight against illicit drugs has indeed gaining momentum as the Nigerian Police have intensified efforts to get rid of them in the state.

P.M.EXPRESS reports that it was jubilation galore for the residents of Ijegun community in Lagos after police operatives smashed illicit drugs syndicate that had virtually taken over a market square in the area in the sale of the substances.

P.M.EXPRESS confirmed that the police operatives led by the Divisional Police Officer, DPO Isheri Oshun Division, SP Rafiu Akilade, stormed the notorious Ajagwu Market in Ijegun area known for dealing in hard drugs. The operation lasted for several hours and at the end it paid off as the police were able to dislodge the syndicate and arrested some of the dealers while others escaped.

Some of the suspects arrested were Mr. Chukwuka Evidence, 25, Henry Francis, 25, Ayomide Adewunmi, 24 and Ebuka Uba, 18. The police also recovered some bags of substances suspected to be marijuana as exhibits. Both the suspects and the substances have been transferred to the Lagos Task Force office at Alausa, Ikeja for further investigations.

The residents expressed satisfaction and commended the DPO, SP Rafiu Akilade for having the courage to dislodge the drug dealers in the area. They revealed that the illicit dealings in the market had seriously affected the youths who sneaked into the market to patronize the dealers and became addicted.

P.M.EXPRESS gathered that the market was constructed by the residents some years ago for the sale of food items and some wares in the area. However, after some time the traders in the market abandoned the place due to the activities of suspected criminals and the drug dealers who took over the place and used the market as haven for smoking and illicit drugs before the police busted them.
The residents had been helpless before the DPO got intelligence report on the illegal activities, mobilized his officers, cleared the place and arrested some of the suspects.

Police sources said that the action was in line with the professed determination of the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Imohimi Edgal, to get rid of hard drugs and dealers in the State. The police boss had vowed that there will be no hiding place for hard drug dealers and users because of the effect on the youths in the society. To that effect, he had seized large chunks of drugs worth millions of Naira, arrested both dealers and users for prosecution.