Abia market raid nets 21 suspected drug traffickers

Troops of 144 Battalion (Rear) under Operation Eastern Sanity carried out a “well coordinated raid” at Mammy market in Owaza, Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State on Tuesday.

The raid was prompted by reports that crude oil bunkerers, illegal PMS dealers, pipeline vandals and illicit drug traffickers were operating within the market and its surrounding bushes.

During the operation, 21 individuals suspected of trafficking drugs were arrested.

The intelligence‑driven operation was conducted in cooperation with personnel from the Nigerian Navy Component and the Nigerian Air Force 511 Quick Response Group.

The development was announced in a statement by Mazinho Attah, the acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations for the 14 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Abia State.

Attah said that upon arrival at the target area, troops quickly cordoned off the market and searched the entire market as well as surrounding hideouts suspected of being criminal enclaves.

He noted that the intensive operation led to the arrest of 21 suspected illicit drug peddlers found in possession of large quantities of Indian hemp, rizzlers, suspected hard substances popularly known as “ice,” as well as the sum of N103,000.

“The suspects are currently in custody undergoing preliminary profiling and will be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for further investigation and prosecution,” Attah added.

“Meanwhile, aggressive patrols and domination activities continue across the general area to deny criminal elements freedom of action,” the statement said.