The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a notorious drug supplier to bandits operating in Niger State, Mohammed Sani, popularly known as Gamboli, three weeks after he escaped an initial raid on his residence in Shiroro Local Government Area.
Gamboli, 33, was apprehended on Thursday, December 11, 2025, at his hideout and drug joint in Anguwan Fadama, Kuta, following sustained intelligence-led manhunt by NDLEA operatives. He had earlier fled when officers raided his home at Anguwan Makera, Kuta, on November 20, 2025, where 471.8 kilograms of skunk, a potent strain of cannabis, were recovered. Intelligence reports identified him as a major supplier of illicit drugs to bandits terrorising communities in Shiroro and its environs.
In a related development, NDLEA operatives in Abia State on December 11 uncovered and dismantled a clandestine codeine syrup manufacturing factory at Amapu Igbengwo village, Umuakpara, in Osisioma Local Government Area. A total of 9,015 bottles of codeine syrup weighing 1,152.2kg were recovered during the operation.
Across other states, the agency recorded multiple arrests and seizures. In Enugu State, operatives arrested Ossai Emeka, 45, with 7.2kg of skunk along the Onitsha–Enugu Ezike road, while Enoje Agada, 40, was nabbed with 94.6kg of the same substance along the Enugu-Ezike–Ette road. In Oyo State, a raid on a notorious drug joint known as “Beere the California” in Ido led to the seizure of skunk, synthetic cannabis (Colorado), and methamphetamine. While the owner of the joint, identified as “Idowu the Killer,” remained at large, one suspect, Ajibade Faruk, was arrested. Another operation in Ibadan resulted in the arrest of Olusanya Abosede, 35, with 238.4kg of skunk.
In Lagos and Ogun States, NDLEA operatives intercepted large quantities of tramadol and cannabis. Two suspects were arrested at the Gbaji checkpoint along Seme Road, Badagry, Lagos, with 50,000 pills of tramadol 250mg. In Ogun State, three suspects were apprehended in separate operations with a combined 98kg of skunk.
A major breakthrough was recorded in Ondo State, where a 55-year-old woman, Veronica Obi, and her 29-year-old son, Bright Obi, were arrested in Ogbese, Akure North Local Government Area, with 1,187kg of skunk and cannabis seeds. Similarly, in Edo State, operatives recovered 461kg of skunk and seeds during a raid in Uroe community, Owan East Local Government Area.
Further arrests were made in Gombe State, where suspects were apprehended with large consignments of tramadol capsules and skunk in separate operations.
On the international drug trafficking front, NDLEA officers intercepted no fewer than 907 pills of tramadol, tapentadol, cocodamol, amitriptyline and bromazepam concealed in containers of local black soap and designer wears. The consignments, destined for the United States, Canada and Sweden, were seized at two major courier companies in Lagos between December 9 and 10, 2025.
At the Apapa Seaport, Lagos, a joint examination by NDLEA, the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies on Saturday, December 13, led to the interception of a container loaded with 170,000 bottles of codeine syrup weighing 23,579kg.
Meanwhile, NDLEA commands nationwide sustained their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaigns, reaching schools, communities and traditional institutions across Katsina, Kano, Benue and Enugu States, among others.
Commending the officers and men of the various commands for their professionalism and dedication, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), urged them to sustain the agency’s balanced approach of drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction in the ongoing fight against substance abuse and illicit trafficking.
