Lagos: Police FCID arrest 11 over hijacking narcotic products

The Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), of the Nigeria Police Force(NPF), Alagbon annex, in Lagos, has arrested 11 suspects over alleged involvement in impersonation and hijacking of imported drugs in Lagos.

This was contained in a statement by the department spokesperson, ASP Aminat Mayegun, Monday, in Lagos.

She said the suspects and others at large allegedly conspired to hijack two trucks belonging to Manfes Pharmaceutical Company Ltd., which were transporting 5,000 rolls of Tramadol 100mg capsules.

She added that immediately after clearing the goods at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, the suspects hijacked and diverted the consignment to an unknown location.

Mayegun said the case was reported as a petition to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, AIG FCID Annex, by one Mr. Nonso Nwaebili, representing the pharmaceutical company in Anambra.

She further stated that the petition outlined the incident as involving a syndicate of suspected armed criminals, disguised in military camouflage and also wearing the jackets of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

She said following receipt of the petition, the anti-drug unit of the department was instructed to investigate the petition.

The spokesperson also pointed out that a letter was sent to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Yaba, to confirm the importation authorisation for Tramadol 100mg capsules by the company, which was confirmed.

She noted that the CP Special Squad, Lagos state command, had recovered part of the stolen tramadol and arrested some of the suspects involved in the crime before FCID took over the investigation.