Troops of the Nigerian Army, 35 Artillery Brigade, Alamala Barracks, Abeokuta, have intercepted 296 large wraps of substances suspected to be Indian hemp along the Abeokuta–Igboora road in Ogun State.

The interception, which occurred at about 4:30 a.m. on Sunday, followed credible intelligence on the planned movement of the illicit consignment.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 35 Artillery Brigade, Major Samuel Akari, said the troops acted swiftly on a strategic tip-off and mobilised to the identified location.

According to him, the soldiers intercepted an unregistered motorcycle conveying 296 large wraps of the suspected Indian hemp concealed in three massive sacks.

“The troops of 35 Artillery Brigade acted on a strategic tip-off on the planned movement of substances suspected to be Indian hemp on Abeokuta–Igboora road at about 4:30 a.m. on Sunday. They moved in and intercepted one motorcycle without a registration number conveying 296 large wraps of substances suspected to be Indian hemp concealed in three massive sacks. The suspect, however, abandoned the motorcycle and fled into the dense bush under the cover of darkness,” the statement read.

Major Akari disclosed that the recovered exhibits have been handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Ogun State Command, for further investigation and necessary action.

He reiterated the brigade’s resolve to rid the state of drug traffickers and other criminal elements, warning perpetrators to desist from illegal activities or face the full weight of the law.

The Army spokesman also assured residents of continued efforts to safeguard lives and property, stressing that troops would sustain robust security operations across the state to deny criminal elements freedom of action.