Operatives of the Zone 2 Command of the Nigeria Police Force, in a joint operation involving the Special Protection Unit (SPU) and divisional police detectives, have uncovered a major drug trafficking network in Lagos. The sting operation led to the seizure of hundreds of bags of suspected Canadian Loud worth billions of naira.
The SPU team received the intelligence and collaborated with the Zone 2 Headquarters. The operation was coordinated with technical expertise and guidance from the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, NPM, psc(+), and the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, AIG Olohundare Jimoh.
The raid took place in an apartment inside an estate in Mende, Maryland. Officers arrested several suspects, including the alleged kingpin, Eke Henry Ifeanyi, 41. Police said the illicit substances were recovered from his residence.
Addressing newsmen at the scene on Saturday, AIG Jimoh said the command had mounted surveillance on the suspect for several months before his arrest on May 19. He revealed that during the operation, the suspect offered a bribe of ₦500 million to the SPU commander in an attempt to make the team stand down and allow him contact his associates to move the consignment elsewhere.
The offer was rejected outright, and the commander immediately documented the attempt for further investigation.
AIG Jimoh stated that the incident underscores why specialized units like the SPU are being embedded within joint operations under IGP Disu’s grassroots policing strategy, which includes:
1. Rapid containment: The Special Protection Unit was deployed alongside divisional teams to secure the perimeter and prevent escape or interference with evidence.
2. Intelligence-led action: The unit acted on months of surveillance and technical intelligence before moving in.
3. Professional conduct: The immediate rejection and documentation of the bribe attempt reflect the standard being set for redeployed personnel at the divisional level.
Reacting to the operation, IGP Olatunji Disu said, “The success validates the ongoing redeployment of personnel to divisions and units across Lagos and Ogun.”
He further stated that, “Policing must be close to the people, and our specialized units must work side by side with divisional teams on the ground. The professionalism shown by the SPU commander in rejecting a ₦500 million bribe and following due procedure is the standard we expect. It shows that when you put your best foot forward at the grassroots, you get results and restore public trust.”
The IGP added that his administration will continue to reward integrity and hold officers accountable to the same standard.
Exhibits recovered during the raid have been documented and will be presented in court. The suspects remain in custody as investigations continue to identify other members of the network.