By Philip Nwosu
The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT has arrested 27 suspected drug peddlers during a coordinated raid on a known criminal hideout in the Gidan Drama area of Malu Road, Apapa, Lagos, on Saturday, April 5.
Captain Idongesit Udoessien, Executive Officer of NNS BEECROFT, representing Commander Commodore Paul Ponfa Nimmyel, confirmed the arrests in a statement on Tuesday, April 8. He said the operation followed credible intelligence about drug trafficking activities in the area.
The suspects—24 males and 3 females—were apprehended with hard drugs and other illicit substances and handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and prosecution.
The arrested females are Ajike Rahime (20), Padipe Olamiposin (20), and Ayike Yusuf (21). The 24 male suspects include Samaili Ibrahim (21), Yusuf Danjuma (30), Hamisu Sanusi (34), Odi Yahaya (20), Adamu Umaru (23), Friday Ochoba (45), Michael Istwuo (25), Eze Frank (40), Joshua Esua (20), Daus John (19), Musa Andrawus (34), Nwakaeze David (21), Abubakar Shamsu (24), Elisha Mark (18), Mohammed Umar (22), Bashir Abubakar (30), Nafiu Hassan (35), Akombi Dele Yusuf (34), Abdullahi Yusuf (23), Abba Usman (22), Ukasha Alhassan (29), Abdullazeez Yusuf (18), Joshua Emmanuel (21), and Justice Obasa (32).
Captain Udoessien emphasised the Navy’s resolve. “The Navy remains committed to ridding our communities of criminal elements and curbing the spread of illicit substances that undermine public safety,” he said, noting that such drugs threaten youth welfare and national security.