The Nigerian Navy Ship Lugard, Lokoja, apprehended a retired soldier and a civilian on the Ajaokuta-Lokoja Road in Kogi State after discovering over 400 kilogrammes of suspected hemp.
The two suspects, Denis Foukorighe, a retired army corporal, and Paul Obor, along with the illegal substance, were handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency in Lokoja on Friday.
The Commander of NNS Lugard Lokoja, Commodore Ugochukwu Ajulu, revealed during the parade of the suspects that the illicit drug was placed into a Honda Accord saloon car transporting them from Edo State to Garki, Abuja, for commercial purposes.
He stated that the suspects, both from Benue State, were apprehended on Tuesday during the navy’s checkpoint operations along the Ajaokuta-Lokoja Road.
Ajulu said, “We are here at NNS Lugard Lokoja to hand over the two culprits and the illicit substances weighing over 400kg including a Honda saloon car to NDLEA officials for onward prosecution in the law court.”
He noted that the naval checkpoints in Kogi had been active in line with the mandate given to them by the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla.
The officer-in-charge of Strike Force, NDLEA, Kogi State Command, Superintendent of Narcotics, Olorunfemi Abolarinwa, who received the two suspects on behalf of the agency, said they would be investigated thoroughly before facing prosecution to serve as a deterrent to others.