The arrested suspects
Nigerian Navy has intercepted a commercial boat allegedly transporting 71 kilogrammes of suspected Cannabis Sativa on the River Niger in Bassa Local Government Area of Kogi State, arresting three suspects.
The operation was carried out on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, near Chintako Community Jetty by personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) LUGARD following credible intelligence on the movement of the suspected illicit drug.
The three suspects were arrested aboard the wooden boat after naval personnel discovered three large blue sacks containing the suspected cannabis concealed in the rear compartment of the vessel.
The suspects and the recovered drugs were later handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Kogi State for further investigation.
The recovered substance was weighed in the presence of Navy and NDLEA officials during the handover at Naval Base Banda.
Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, said the interception highlighted the importance of intelligence-driven patrols in tackling criminal activities along Nigeria’s waterways.
He said the Navy would continue to collaborate with relevant security agencies to disrupt the activities of drug traffickers and other criminal elements operating on the nation’s inland waterways.
The NDLEA is expected to investigate the source and intended destination of the seized consignment, establish the roles of the three suspects, and identify other persons connected to the suspected drug trafficking operation.
