Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Operatives of the Kabba Area Command of the Kogi State Police Command have intercepted a vehicle carrying a large consignment of suspected Indian hemp, arresting two suspects in a dramatic stop-and-search operation that also saw officers reject a ₦5 million bribe from the traffickers. The Kogi State Commissioner of Police, CP Naziru Bello Kankarofi, disclosed the development at a press briefing held at the command headquarters in Lokoja on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, detailing how a routine traffic stop on a major highway led to the discovery of a sophisticated drug trafficking network spanning multiple states.
According to CP Kankarofi, the operation took place on May 9, 2026, at approximately 2:00 p.m., when operatives attached to a tactical team operating within the Kabba axis intercepted a Honda Pilot Jeep with registration number LSD 456 GE during a routine stop-and-search exercise. The vehicle was driven by 52-year-old Chris Amos, while one Bilat Joseph was seated as the passenger. Upon conducting a thorough search of the vehicle, the operatives discovered three hundred and forty-two (342) wraps of substances reasonably suspected to be Indian hemp concealed inside the car. The precise quantity of the seizure has been reported with slight variation by different media outlets, with some sources citing 339 wraps and others 342 wraps, a discrepancy that may result from differing counting standards or the inclusion of a separate consignment. Nonetheless, the magnitude of the haul is significant and represents one of the largest single drug seizures made by the Kogi State Police Command in recent months.
Perhaps as striking as the seizure itself was the attempt by the suspects to compromise the arresting officers. According to the police statement, during the operation, an attempt was made to influence the operatives to compromise the process through an offer of Five Million Naira (₦5,000,000), which was resisted in line with established professional standards and operational procedures. The rejection of such a substantial bribe offer underscores the commitment of the Kogi State Police Command to integrity and professionalism, even when faced with significant financial temptation. CP Kankarofi later commended the operatives for their vigilance and professionalism, noting that their actions had dealt a significant blow to drug trafficking networks operating across state lines.
Preliminary investigations have already uncovered a detailed picture of the drug trafficking operation. According to the police, the suspects reportedly told investigators that they collected the consignment from Ado-Ekiti in Ekiti State on the instruction of a man identified simply as “Alhaji,” whose identity and whereabouts remain unknown and are currently under investigation. The suspects further stated that the illicit substance was to be delivered in Yola, Adamawa State, a journey that would have taken the consignment across multiple states before reaching its final destination. This revelation suggests the existence of a well-organized drug trafficking network with connections spanning from the South-West to the North-East of Nigeria, using Kogi State as a transit corridor. The two suspects remain in police custody while the recovered exhibits have been secured, and investigations are ongoing to track down other members of the criminal network, including the elusive “Alhaji,” to ensure diligent prosecution of all persons connected with the crime.
Speaking at the press briefing, CP Kankarofi described illicit drug trafficking as a major factor fueling violent crimes and criminality within society, stressing that the command would continue to sustain aggressive operations aimed at dismantling criminal syndicates and preventing the movement of narcotics through Kogi State. He noted that drugs are often the lifeblood of other criminal activities, including banditry, kidnapping, and armed robbery, and that cutting off the supply of narcotics is essential to reducing overall crime rates. The commissioner expressed appreciation to the Inspector-General of Police for his strategic support and leadership, which have greatly enhanced operational effectiveness across commands nationwide. He also extended gratitude to the Executive Governor of Kogi State for his unwavering support towards security operations within the state.
The seizure in Kabba is part of a broader crackdown on drug trafficking across the state. Just days earlier, on May 9, 2026, operatives attached to the same tactical team operating within the Kabba axis had intercepted a separate vehicle conveying a large quantity of dry leaves suspected to be Indian hemp during a routine operation at a strategic location in the area. That operation, which also led to the arrest of two suspects, resulted in the recovery of approximately 342 wraps of the suspected substance. The consistency of these interceptions suggests that Kogi State remains a major transit route for narcotics moving between different regions of the country, a reality that the state police command has committed itself to addressing through intelligence-led policing and sustained patrol operations.
The Kogi State Police Command has urged members of the public to continue supporting security agencies with timely and useful information to aid ongoing operations against criminal elements. The command maintains that collaboration with local communities is essential to its success, as residents are often the first to notice suspicious activity or unusual movements in their areas. The command has also reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property through proactive policing, intelligence gathering, and sustained collaboration with other security agencies and members of the public. For their part, the two suspects remain in custody as the investigation continues, and the police have indicated that they will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigative proceedings, where they will face charges related to drug trafficking, attempting to bribe public officials, and other related offenses.
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