Mubarak Shuaybu Shelleng
Remember the drug traffickers caught using fake presidency number plates in Adamawa? Well, justice has been served!
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), in collaboration with the military, intercepted a massive 626 blocks of cannabis weighing 500.8kg near the Numan Bridge in Adamawa State.
The illegal consignment, which was being transported from Ondo State to Mubi, was cleverly hidden in two tinted vehicles—a Toyota Hilux (Lagos NT 829 AAA) and a Prado SUV (01B-266 FG)—both carrying fake presidency number plates in a desperate but failed bid to evade security checks.
Following a swift and thorough operation, NDLEA operatives arrested the culprits—Shuaibu Nuhu Isa (a.k.a Don), 55, and Zidon Zurga, 50—on November 25, 2024, along the Numan-Yola road. After facing trial before Justice Bala Usman in case number FHC/YL/150/2024, they were convicted on February 7, 2025, and sentenced to 35 years in prison each—70 years combined. The court also ordered the forfeiture of the two vehicles used for the smuggling operation.
Reacting to the development during on-spot assessment at the time of the interception, Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri commended the NDLEA and security agencies for their unwavering commitment to making Adamawa drug-free. He reaffirmed his administration’s zero tolerance for drug trafficking and substance abuse, emphasizing that there will be no safe haven for criminals in the state.
The Governor also encouraged those struggling with drug addiction, especially those in rehabilitation, to turn a new leaf, embrace a better future, and contribute positively to society.
This conviction is a clear warning to all drug traffickers: No matter how connected or powerful you think you are, the law will always catch up with you!
~ AB Damare
