Navy arrests three, intercepts 71kg cannabis on River Niger

The Nigerian Navy has arrested three suspected drug traffickers and intercepted 71 kilogrammes of substances suspected to be Cannabis sativa during a riverine patrol along the River Niger in Kogi State.

The suspects were arrested on September 8, 2026, by personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) LUGARD following credible intelligence on the movement of an illicit drug consignment through the inland waterways.

The interception was carried out near Chintako Community Jetty in Bassa Local Government Area of Kogi State, where naval personnel stopped and searched a large wooden commercial boat suspected to be carrying the illicit consignment.

The substances suspected to be Cannabis sativa were reportedly concealed in the rear compartment of the boat in an attempt to prevent their detection during movement along the waterway.

The development was contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja by Abiodun Folorusho, Director of Naval Information, Nigerian Navy.

According to the statement, the operation followed intelligence received by the naval personnel regarding the movement of the suspected illicit drug consignment.

“The suspects were arrested on September 8, 2026, by personnel of NNS LUGARD following credible intelligence on the movement of an illicit drug consignment,” the statement said.

The Navy said the suspected cannabis was discovered during the interception and search of the wooden commercial boat near Chintako Community Jetty.

Following the interception, a representative of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) assured that investigations would be conducted to determine the source and ownership of the consignment.

The Navy said the operation demonstrated the importance of intelligence-led maritime enforcement in tackling the movement of illicit drugs through Nigeria’s inland waterways.

It added that such operations were critical to disrupting criminal activities that exploit the country’s waterways for the transportation of illicit commodities.