The Kano State Special Task Force on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking has dismissed reports that the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) plans to release a luxury passenger bus seized in connection with a major drug trafficking investigation in the state. The chairman of the task force, Muhuyi Magaji, said investigations into the vehicle and other suspects linked to the case were ongoing, insisting that the matter would be pursued to prosecution. Daily Trust reports that NDLEA operatives reportedly intercepted the bus during an intelligence-led operation in August, with illicit substances valued at about N500 million recovered from, or in connection with, the vehicle. Six suspects — Onyeka Vincent, Success Chibuzie, Nwankwo Wisdom, Emmanuel Jude, Chinedu Peter and Okodili Ogbuach — were reportedly arrested in connection with the operation. There had been concerns in some quarters that the vehicle, said to belong to a prominent businessman, was being considered for release despite the ongoing investigation. Reacting to the reports, Magaji told Daily Trust that he had contacted the Kano State NDLEA commander, who assured him that the investigation had not been concluded. “I am aware of the arrest of the vehicle. It was not only the vehicle that was seized; other suspects were also arrested in connection with drug-related offences involving substances found in the bus,” he said. Magaji said some drivers and conductors had been summoned, adding that preliminary findings indicated “some level of complicity” in the case. He also said the ownership of the vehicle would be examined as part of the investigation, stressing that claims that a property was used for criminal activity without the owner’s consent should not automatically absolve the owner of responsibility. “I can assure you that the leadership of the NDLEA, together with the Kano State Government, is monitoring the case closely. “We will follow the matter through to prosecution and will not allow any form of compromise,” he said. Magaji urged the public to await the conclusion of the investigation, adding that the task force would follow the matter to the letter “no matter whose ox is gored.” Also reacting, the Public Relations Officer of the Kano NDLEA Command, Sadiq Maigatari, confirmed that the case remained under investigation. “It’s nothing, just speculation, and we are investigating it,” Maigatari said.
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