Personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Lugard have arrested three individuals in possession of 71 kilogrammes of suspected cannabis along the River Niger in Kogi State.
The arrest occurred during an interception by personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Lugard during an operation conducted under the framework of Operation Accord 3. The suspects were intercepted while attempting to move the illicit substances through the riverine area.
Commander Christian Ottah, the Acting Executive Officer of NNS Lugard, confirmed the details of the seizure. He stated that the operation was part of the ongoing efforts to secure the waterways and disrupt the movement of illegal goods across the region.
The River Niger serves as a critical transit corridor in Nigeria, connecting several states in the North-Central and South-South zones. Security agencies have frequently identified these waterways as preferred routes for smugglers attempting to bypass land-based checkpoints through the dense river channels.
Waterway security and Operation Accord 3
Operation Accord 3 is a targeted naval initiative designed to enhance surveillance and combat criminality along Nigeria’s internal waterways. The operation focuses on preventing the movement of narcotics, weapons, and other contraband that threaten regional security and economic stability.
The Kogi State segment of the River Niger is particularly sensitive due to its proximity to multiple major transport routes. Drug traffickers often exploit the complex river networks to move illicit cargo, often under the cover of night, to avoid detection by land patrols. By increasing presence through Operation Accord 3, the Nigerian Navy aims to close these security gaps.
The seizure of 71kg of suspected cannabis suggests an organised attempt to distribute the substance across larger markets. Such activities contribute to local crime rates and are often linked to the broader funding of criminal enterprises within the country.
The arrested individuals are currently in naval custody. The suspects and the seized contraband are expected to be handed over to the relevant law enforcement authorities, including the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), for further investigation and prosecution.
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