By Favour Emi
Following the nationwide clampdown on laughing gas declared by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, across all commands and formations, over 64, 863.5-kilogram consignments of the gaseous substance have been intercepted by operatives at the Apapa seaport in Lagos and in Imo state respectively.
A statement by Femi Babafemi, Director, Media & Advocacy NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja on Friday 14th July 2023 said “Following credible intelligence, NDLEA operatives at the Apapa seaport on Wednesday 12th July intercepted two containers marked MSKU 7626856 and MSKU 7689448 suspected to contain cartons of Nitrous oxide and plastic pressure release nozzles imported from China. As a result, a joint examination of the containers was carried out by NDLEA officers, men of the Customs Service, and other stakeholders the following day, Thursday 13th July.
“During the search of the two containers, a total of 522 cartons of Nitrous Oxide, containing 16,366 packages weighing 64,852kgs were recovered along with the paraphernalia for recreational use. The importer of the consignment, 30-year-old Stephen Eze, and his agent, Michael Chukwuma were thereafter arrested and detained for further investigation.
“In the same vein, NDLEA operatives on patrol along Owerri – Onitsha expressway in Imo state on Thursday 13th July intercepted three cartons containing 18 canisters of the same substance weighing 11.5kg heading to Port Harcourt, Rivers State. A swift follow-up operation was conducted in the stadium road area of Elekahia, Port Harcourt same day leading to the arrest of the owner of the shipment, 24-year-old Tonye Kalio.”
Commending the officers and men, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Agency Brig. Gen. Mohamed Marwa assured of a continuous clampdown on the illegal sale and use of nitrous oxide to protect the health of young Nigerians from the devastating effects of abusing the substance.
