The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has uncovered multiple ingenious methods used by drug traffickers to smuggle narcotics across Nigeria and beyond, leading to a string of high-profile arrests and seizures in a nationwide crackdown.
One of the most striking discoveries was made at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, where NDLEA operatives intercepted 71 vehicle side mirrors stuffed with cocaine and tramadol pills bound for Libreville, Gabon via Air Côte d’Ivoire. The seizure, made on Saturday, July 19, included 57,420 pills of tramadol 225mg and 57 pellets of cocaine weighing 1.60kg.
Following immediate investigations, a prominent cargo agent, Ihekweme Osinachi Benedict, was arrested. His arrest led to the capture of another suspect, Uzochukwu Godspower Chukwurah, on Sunday, July 20. A subsequent search at Uzochukwu’s residence on Monday, July 21, revealed 11 more parcels of cocaine concealed in four additional side mirrors, bringing the total haul to 68 cocaine parcels weighing 2.60kg.
In a related development, a Lagos-based businesswoman, Mrs. Nwafor Roseann Nneka, was arrested at her shop in the Trade Fair Complex, Ojo, on Friday, August 1, following the interception of 100 grams of cocaine and 300 grams of phenacetine (a cutting agent) hidden in ladies’ lipstick containers. The consignment, en route to Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, had been seized at the airport on July 10. Two cargo agents connected to the shipment were earlier detained. Mrs. Nneka confessed during interrogation that her husband, Remigus Nwafor — currently at large — was responsible for concealing the drugs.
In the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, NDLEA operatives conducting intelligence-led stop-and-search operations on Wednesday, July 30, arrested three dispatch riders: Sabo Sule (24), Samuel Nnamdi (28), and Idris Jibrin (28). They were caught distributing 149.8 grams of “Canadian Loud” a potent strain of cannabis in the Gwarimpa, Jahi, and Galadimawa districts.
On Saturday, August 2, two other suspects, Aliyu Abubakar (25) and Adekunle Agbabiaka (30), were apprehended along the Abaji-Gwagwalada expressway with 91.1 kilograms of skunk cannabis.
In Lagos, NDLEA officers acting on credible intelligence arrested Joseph Michael in Mushin with 3.3 kilograms of Colorado (a synthetic strain of cannabis) on August 2. A day earlier, on August 1, Ibrahim Sulaiman was arrested in the Iwaya area of Yaba with 16.5 litres of “skuchies” a dangerous cocktail of cannabis and other substances.
On the same day in Benue State, 100,000 tramadol capsules were recovered from a suspect, Hussein Yusuf (37), at an NDLEA checkpoint along the Vandeikya-Ogoja road.
Meanwhile, in Edo State, a raid on a warehouse in Ekpoma led to the arrest of 44-year-old William Alabi and the recovery of 233.5 kilograms of skunk cannabis.
In Borno State, at the Muhammadu Buhari International Airport in Maiduguri, NDLEA officers on August 1 arrested 38-year-old Umar Aminu after discovering 160 tramadol pills concealed in his footwear upon arrival.
In Ogun State, a female suspect, Yahaya Aminat Seyi, was arrested on August 1 in the Oja Odan area with 7,218 opioid pills, primarily tramadol.
That same day, in Oyo State, operatives apprehended Oladeji Saka (54) in the Asanike area of Ibadan with 77.5 kilograms of skunk. In Delta State, 40-year-old Benson Izah was arrested in Abraka with 12.5 kilograms of skunk, 1 kilogram of tramadol, and 14.4 litres of codeine syrup.
In Bayelsa State, NDLEA officers arrested Chief Emeka Opara (52) and Onuoha Chidinma (25) on Tantua Road, Amassoma. A total of 41,705 tramadol capsules and other opioids were recovered from their shop and residence.
In Kano State, 30-year-old Bashir Gambo was nabbed in Yar Yasa town, Tudun Wada LGA, with 61 kilograms of skunk.
On July 28 in Osun State, NDLEA arrested Kabiru Ayinde (40) and Roqeeb Adekanmbi (25) in the Ile-Ogbo area of Iwo town. Recovered items included 90 kilograms of skunk, 36.3 grams of methamphetamine, a Toyota bus with registration SMK 755 YF, and ₦228,200 in cash.
In addition to enforcement, the NDLEA continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization campaigns during the week. These included outreach programs at Ciroma Ibrahim Islamiyya School in Potiskum, Yobe; Sultan Maccido Institute in Wamakko, Sokoto; metro drivers of Borno Express Transport Services in Maiduguri; and worshippers at Seventh Day Adventist Church in Abakpa Nike, Enugu. In Osun State, the command paid a WADA advocacy visit to the Oluwo of Iwo Land, His Imperial Majesty Oba Abdurasheed Adewale Akanbi.
Commending the operations, NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), applauded the officers and men of the MMIA, MBIAM, FCT, Lagos, Benue, Edo, Ogun, Oyo, Delta, Bayelsa, Kano, and Osun Commands for their vigilance, professionalism, and commitment to Nigeria’s anti-drug war.
He urged all commands to sustain the agency’s balanced approach to drug control combining strong enforcement with nationwide advocacy and community engagement.
