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NDLEA smashes cross-border drug syndicates, arrests 6 kingpins, recovers cocaine, opioids

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Lekki software engineer, Chadian, others nabbed over tons of illicit drugs seized in Lagos, FCT, Taraba, Kwara, Plateau, Kano, Kaduna, Edo, Ondo

By Ebinum Samuel

After months of intelligence gathering and painstaking surveillance, operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have smashed two major cross-border drug trafficking syndicates with cocaine and opioids worth billions of naira recovered from them while six leaders of the cartels were arrested in different parts of the country.
The syndicates, which comprise Nigerians based in Mubi, Adamawa state; Onitsha, Anambra state, and Lagos state as well as Cameroonians came under NDLEA radar after they were suspected of being major suppliers of drugs to terror groups operating in Nigeria and Cameroon.


Leaders of the syndicates so far arrested include: Ibrahim Bawuro, Najib Ibrahim, Ibrahim Umar, Nelson Udechukwu Anayo, Ezeh Amaechi Martin and Adejumo Elijah Ishola. Intelligence gathered revealed that some psychoactive substances including tramadol were often sourced by Ibrahim Bawuro and Ibrahim Najib from a notorious drug dealer in Onitsha: Nelson Udechukwu Anayo and thereafter packed and concealed in vehicles in the premises of Ezeh Amaechi Martin, an associate of Udechukwu.


The duo of Ibrahim Bawuro and Ibrahim Najib will thereafter transport the drugs from Onitsha to Yola and subsequently to other parts of the North and Cameroon in specially constructed false compartments of vehicles, which travel from the East to the North at night. On 7th October 2024, Bawuro and Najib were trailed from Onitsha where they had gone to buy another consignment and eventually arrested in Taraba the following day 8th October while a total of 276,500 pills of tramadol were recovered from a Toyota Avensis saloon car marked DKA 57 TT, which they abandoned on the Jalingo-Yola expressway when they noticed NDLEA operatives were on their trail.


Follow up operations were subsequently carried out in Delta and Anambra states where Ezeh Amaechi Martin and Udechukwu Nelson Anayo were arrested by operatives of the NDLEA Directorate of Intelligence, which coordinated the whole effort with their counterparts in Taraba, Adamawa, Delta and Anambra.
Another leader of a different syndicate, Adejumo Elijah Ishola, 37, was arrested by operatives of a special operation unit of the Agency on Tuesday 5th November at Seme border in Lagos on his way from Ghana with 3.3 kilograms of cocaine and 600grams of synthetic cannabis. This followed months of intelligence and surveillance on his cross-border criminal activities.


Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives in Apapa seaport Lagos on Wednesday 6th November intercepted Thirty-One Million, Seven Hundred and Fifty Thousand (31,750,000) pills of 240mg Voltron, a controlled opioid, packaged and concealed in a container imported from India, as diclofenac sodium 100mg tablets. The discovery was made during a joint examination of the container with men of Customs Service and other security agencies.
At the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, import shed Ikeja Lagos, NDLEA officers on Tuesday 5th November intercepted a 700grams consignment of Loud, a strong strain of cannabis. A software engineer, Olu Marshal who showed up to collect the package was promptly arrested and a follow up search of his home in Lekki led to the recovery of some drug paraphernalia, including a cannabis crusher.
Attempt by another suspect, Orji Ogbonna Nnaorji to send 32.50kg bottles of codeine syrup and 5.70kg cannabis to London, UK, concealed in tiger nuts cargo through the export shed of the Lagos airport was frustrated by NDLEA operatives on Friday 8th November. A follow up operation led to the arrest of Orji at his warehouse in Ajao estate, Lagos.
In Kwara state, not less than 162,800 pills of opioids were seized by NDLEA operatives from four suspects during interdiction operations in parts of the state. While 112,200 tablets of tramadol were recovered from Wahab Alao Saliu, 18,900 tablets of same opioid were recovered from Dalha Musa both at Eiyenkorin area of Ilorin; 29,000 pills of tramadol, 200 ampoules of diazepam and 99 bottles of codeine syrup seized from Ahmed Isiaka, just as 2,500 tabs of tramadol were seized from Ahmed Garba, both at Bode Saadu in Moro local government area of the state on Friday 8th November.
In Abuja, NDLEA operatives in the Federal Capital Territory on Thursday 7th November intercepted a truck along Abaji- Kwali road with 755.50kg cannabis concealed under empty cartons of noodles. The truck driver, Lukman Rasheed, 41, claimed that bags of the psychoactive substance were loaded into the trailer in Ogbese, Ondo state after departing Lagos with only empty cartons of noodles.
A suspect, Yusuf Abubakar, 43, was arrested by operatives on Monday 4th November at Ibi, Taraba state while conveying to Kano 361 compressed blocks of cannabis weighing 156.95kg in a commercial bus marked WKR 772 XA. Not less than 245 blocks of same substance with a total weight of 121kg were recovered by NDLEA officers on patrol along Wukari – Ibi road on Thursday 7th November.
Two suspects: Hamza Yakubu, 30, and Abdulra’uf Danjuma, 23, were on Wednesday 6th November arrested at Gidan Manjagab area of Jos, Plateau state with 113 blocks of cannabis sativa weighing 141kg, while a Chadian, Hassan Muhammad Ali, 31, was nabbed on Tuesday 5th November at Gadar Tamburawa, Zaria-Kano road, Kano, with 3,000 pills of tramadol 225mg.
While a suspect Ibrahim Adamu was arrested at Jere area of Kaduna state with 35 sacks of cannabis sativa weighing 338.8 kilograms, NDLEA operatives in Edo state on Friday 8th November recovered 1,078kg cannabis at Okhuokhuo – Isi forest and 228kg of same substance at Sabo- Auchi.
In Ondo state, four suspects: Friday Daniel, Patrick Felix, Samuel Agada and Igwe Chukwuka were arrested at Emure Ile with 672kg cannabis sativa, while 513kg of same substance was seized at Gbodo camp, Ikun Akoko and a total of 4, 908kg cannabis recovered from a suspect Musibau Kosama at Alabi Yellow, Ijoka area of Akure on Wednesday 6th November.
Across the country, NDLEA Commands continued their War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, sensitization lectures and advocacy visits to worship centres, schools, workplaces, palaces of traditional rulers and communities all through the past week. Instances include: WADA sensitization lecture to students and staff of Park Royal College, Apapa Lagos; Government Secondary School, Atu, Cross River; Ladigbolu Grammar School 2, Oyo, Oyo state; Iman Secondary School, Arkilla, Sokoto; Rosary Girls College, Nise, Anambra; Havilah Gold Secondary School, Odomola, Epe, Lagos state; while the Edo State command of NDLEA paid a WADA advocacy visit to HRM Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo Oba Ewuare II, among others.
While commending the officers and men of DI, SIU, Apapa, MMIA, FCT, Taraba, Kwara, Plateau, Kano, Kaduna, Edo, and Ondo Commands of the Agency for the arrests and seizures of the past week, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) also applauded their compatriots in all the commands across the country for intensifying the WADA sensitization lectures and advocacy messages to every part of their areas of responsibility.

Amotekun Apprehends Notorious Gang Leader Plaguing Osun Villages

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In a significant security operation, the Amotekun Corps has arrested a notorious gang leader who has been terrorizing several communities across Osun State. The suspect, identified as the head of a gang involved in armed robberies and other criminal activities, was captured following a series of coordinated efforts by the regional security network.Residents in affected areas had reported an increase in violent incidents, prompting Amotekun to ramp up its patrols and intelligence-gathering operations. After weeks of tracking the gang’s movements, the Corps was able to locate and apprehend the suspect, marking a breakthrough in the fight against crime in Osun.

According to Amotekun officials, the arrest of the gang leader is expected to significantly reduce the rate of armed robberies and other criminal activities in the region. They reassured the public of their commitment to protecting the communities and maintaining safety.Local leaders and residents have praised the Corps for their dedication, expressing hope for a renewed sense of security. The arrest is seen as a victory for the community, highlighting the impact of regional security networks in tackling crime at the grassroots level.Further investigations are underway to dismantle any remaining parts of the gang’s network and bring its members to justice.

FCT Police Command Kill 2 Robbery Suspects, Arrests 23 Others

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By Ebinum Samuel

In its determination to protect lives and property of Nigerians and foreigners at the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, the police operatives swooped on suspected criminals operating in various parts of nation’s capital, kill 2 robbery suspects, nabbed 23 suspected persons and recovered 13 vehicles.

Reviewing the Command performance and parade of suspects yesterday, the Commissioner of Police in charge of FCT, Olatunji Rilwanu Disu, disclosed that based on credible intelligence, detectives trailed some suspects to a hideout which led to arrest of three suspects.

The trio, he said belong to a notorious four-man gang who specialize in armed robbery and car snatching. This particular gang operates within FCT, Nasarawa, Kaduna and Kano states. The gang is led by one Chidiebere (surname unknown), who is currently at large. Their mode of operation, Disu disclosed includes trailing unsuspecting victims to a convenient location where they strike, dispossessing their victims of their vehicles and any other valuables they can find. They proceed to disengage any tracking gadgets they can find installed in the vehicle, taking it to any of the above-mentioned states where they have ready buyers on standby. Disu confirmed that two of the suspects; Aji Thomas and Amobi Ndukwe are ex-convicts and have served their time in the prison and released, but were still on the commands watchlist went back to rejoin their other gang members who escaped arrest the last time. The suspects, he revealed were arrested while attempting to sell a stolen blue Toyota Corolla vehicle with Registration Number KTW 2155D to one of the Commands undercover operatives.
“During interrogation, they admitted to operating in Garki for the past year and a half, claiming responsibility for numerous car thefts within the metropolis”

“On 10 October 2024, following a distress call by one Mr. Philemon Olaoluwa who reported a case of car theft to Central Police Divisional Headquarters that his vehicle, a Honda Accord 2006 model, ash in color with registration Number RBC 40 NW developed a mechanical fault, prompting him to contract the services of one Abdulhamid Saidu (currently at large), who was recommended to him by his friends as a mechanic at Apo mechanic village FCT. The suspect however, came to pick up the vehicle at the victim’s residence for repairs. The victim who was unaware of the motives of the mechanic, released his vehicle with its document inside the car to the suspect who absconded with the said vehicle to and unknown destination. With the aid of Digital Tracking technology installed in the car, Police operatives of the FCT Command tracked the vehicle to Rayfield Jos, Plateau state where it was found in possession of one Joseph Abang who confessed that he received the vehicle from his accomplice, Abdulhamid Saidu. Abang is a notorious car theft suspect who specializes in receiving, rebranding and selling off vehicles stolen by his accomplices.
Abang was arrested at his workshop, two additional vehicles— a Hyundai Accent and Peugeot 208—undergoing rebranding and suspected to be stolen, were also recovered from him. He confessed to have rebranded and sold over 16 vehicles in the past four years. He is in custody and will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigation”

The CP told newsmen that on 21 October 2024, following a distress call about armed robbers operating at Femi Gbajabiamila Crescent, Jahi, Police operatives from the Mabushi Division swiftly mobilized to the scene. Two vehicles were seen speeding away from the residence of Iyoha Brian and Aliyu Adamu. On sighting the police patrol vehicle, the suspects opened fire engaging the Police in a heated gun duel and in the ensuing confrontation, two of the armed robbery suspects were neutralized by the Police. The other suspects took to their heels abandoning four of their operational vehicles

According Disu in a exceptional display of bravery, the police operatives chased after the fleeing suspects apprehending two suspects from Kaduna state and Bauchi states respectively, while others escaped with bullet wounds.
After a follow-up operation on 23 October 2024, two additional gang members who had earlier escaped from the scene were nabbed. The CP said during interrogation, the suspects confessed to being part of a notorious ten man gang of armed robbers who operate within Mabushi, Jahi, and Gishiri. This gang is led by one Dan Auwalu a.k.a Auwal who is currently at large. Efforts are on top gear to apprehend the gang leader and other gang members.

Disu further stated that the FCT Police Command in its continuous effort to rid the FCT of all forms of crime and criminality arrested 12 armed robbery suspects popularly known as one chance and recovered a total of six vehicles suspected to be their operational vehicle and one locally made barreta pistol.

Three of the suspects, Disu said belong to a gang of one chance operators who specialize in masquerading as Police and DSS officers, pick up unsuspecting victims and take them to unknown locations demanding ransom for their release. Luck ran out on them when on 12 October 2024, following a complaint from one Jeremiah David and Amaka Humina, both of Nasarawa state at Anti-One chance office that on the same date at about 12:00PM they were stopped by three men in a white colored Toyota Camry with Registration number ABJ 221 BV while on transit from Keffi to Abuja. The suspects forcefully ejected them from their vehicle claiming to be officers from the Department of State Service (DSS) who are on investigations.
They proceeded to drive them to an unknown destination, demanded that they call their family and raise money for their release. The suspects transferred the sum of four hundred thousand naira (N400,000) from the victims, and also collected an iphone 14 pro max, iphone 15 pro, Samsung S20 and a Samsung S8 plus from the victims.
On receipt of the Complaint, Police Operatives FCT Command trailed and arrested them.

In a similar operation, on 30 October 2024 at about 02:00 AM a Golf III Saloon vehicle used by suspected one chance operators was being burnt with their gang leader one Giwa (surname unknown) along NYSC Junction Kubwa. Police operatives quickly deployed to the scene, met a group of people who claimed that a gang of one chance operators who have been terrorizing Kubwa area were caught around NYSC junction and set ablaze while three others escaped the scene into the nearby bushes.
Police operatives launched a manhunt and arrested the other gang members who had escaped the scene at their hideout in Malaysia IDP Camp, Apo mechanic village. Suspects confessed to being members of a notorious one chance syndicate led by Giwa (now deceased), and have been operating along AYA to Zuba express way for over a year now. They are still in custody and will be charged to court at the conclusion of investigations.

“During interrogation, suspects confessed to the Police that they impersonate personnel of different security agencies with the aim of defrauding unsuspecting citizens and they have been operating on various routes within the FCT for the past two years. The following exhibits were recovered from them; One
gold-colored Toyota Corolla, Golf car, Corolla, Toyota Avalon, Nissan, Toyota matrix, locally made baretta pistol, a 9mm live ammunition and seven knives”

“As we continue to intensify our efforts against crime, I want to assure the residents of the FCT that we remain resolute in our duty to protect lives and property. The suspects paraded today will be charged to court after thorough investigations, and we will ensure that justice is served” said Disu

17-Year-Old Boy Hacks Elderly Man To Death For Allegedly Assaulting His Mother

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In a video shared online by the spokesperson of the state police command, SP Bright Edafe, Thankgod said the deceased had attacked his mum and had beaten her to the point she fainted. He said he got angry about this development and decided to carry out a reprisal attack.
Thankgod said that four days after the assault on his mum he accosted Ogbonna and engaged him in a fight. He said Nwodo injured him and that some persons in the area separated them and asked him to forgive the old man.


Dissatisfied that he had not taken his own pound of flesh, ThankGod said that four days after, he spotted Ogbonna in the bush and used a machete on him. The machete injury sadly led to Ogbonna’s death. He said he never knew the fight would lead to the man’s death.
“I go fight am (the man) as I see my mama for floor. The man use small knife cut me for hand. So them tell me to forgive the man I should leave him because he is an old man. I saw the man four days later. After I cut the man’s hand, he just jumped down from his bike and ran inside the cassava bush.”

Kidnapper: This Man Is Powerful, I Think He Has Spiritual Power. He’s Small But Mighty – Adejobi Muyiwa

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Adejobi Muyiwa, the Public Relations Officer for the Nigerian Police Force, recently paraded Ibrahim Shehu, a suspected kidnapper known 

as “Small But Mighty,” and detailed his activities

In a live coverage 

by Voice TV Nigeria from 0:12, Muyiwa disclosed that Shehu, who resides in Kogi State with his family, engages in criminal operations across multiple states, including Kano, Katsina, Niger, and Kaduna. Muyiwa mentioned that he believes Shehu holds some level of “spiritual powers”. He applauded the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) for their determination in apprehending Shehu.

Muyiwa further stated that criminals who believe they are protected by “juju” or “voodoo” powers can never be more powerful than the government. He said no one is beyond the 

government’s reach, and criminals involved in unlawful activities, regardless of their supernatural protection, will eventually be brought to justice.

In Muyiwa’s words: “This man is very powerful, I think he has some spiritual powers. I want to give kudos to the spiritual operatives of IRT for going after a spiritual criminal to get him for us. It is not easy. So gentlemen of the press, this is Ibrahim Shehu. Unfortunately he is from Kogi State and he is doing evils in Kogi State. This man resides in Kogi with his family but he goes as far as Kano, Katsina, Niger and Kaduna to operate. He is small but mighty. Shehu Ibrahim aka Small But Mighty. This is him, we have gotten him and this is a warning to anyone outside there venturing into criminal activities, no matter how powerful you are, no matter the juju or voodoo you have, you cannot be more powerful than the government. We will surely get you”.

Wife stabs husband to death over lock of bedroom

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Residents of Gbeyi, in Adegbayi, Ibadan , Oyo State 

woke up yesterday to a shock and disbelief on hearing that a 33-year-old Comfort Olalere Tinubu, had stabbed her husband, Olusegun Tinubu, 39, to death on Wednesday night around 10pm.It was gathered that the couple who got married about three years ago had two children from the marriage.The matter which stem from an argument on the wife locking the husband out of the bedroom later resulted in fight which saw the wife stabbing the husband at the back.

The source who pleaded anonymity, said: “I got the call around 10:03pm and I learnt that they fought and she stabbed him but that he was rushed to the hospital. About 30mins later, I was called again that my younger brother is dead.“When we reported the matter at the police station, she was asked what happened; she said her late husband accused her of locking the matrimonial bedroom door since around 7am when she left the house and returning about 7pm.

“She said the matter led to argument between them but that fight started when the late husband came to slap her where she laid down breastfeeding their baby.”

According to the source, another relative of the husband who is living with the couple was said to have interfere in the fight and separated them.The relative, was said to be staying with the couple because he was receiving medical treatment“After settling the fight, he went back to his room asking the husband to sleep in the living room. But, not done it was gathered that Comfort went to attack the husband where he was lying down in the sitting room and stabbed him at the back with the knife. The husband was said to have screamed for help and slumped and later confirmed dead by the time he got to the hospital.

The matter was initially reported at Gbagi Police station but the case was later transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Iyaganku, Ibadan,” he narrated.

Bandits abduct 16 in fresh Kebbi attack

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At least 16 people have been abducted in a recent attack on Bena village and nearby communities in Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State.Lawali Umar, Secretary of the Security Committee in Wasagu, confirmed the incident, stating that the bandits ambushed victims working on guinea corn farms and took them captive.

“In another recent attack, the bandits stormed Tudun Wada, abducting six individuals,” Umar revealed.However, soldiers swiftly responded, engaging the attackers in a gunfight, which led to the rescue of the six kidnapped persons.While some of the initial 16 abductees managed to escape, about nine individuals remain in captivity, with the kidnappers demanding an undisclosed ransom.

Umar appealed to the Kebbi State Government to strengthen security in high-risk areas, including Yar Maitaba, Mai Rai Rai, and Tungar Sabo, which he described as hideouts frequently used by the assailants.“We commend the state government’s efforts against banditry, but with the guinea corn harvest season upon us, our farmers need better security,” Umar urged.Efforts to reach the Kebbi State Police Command spokesperson, Nafiu Abubakar, for comments were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.

Kidnapped Nigerian professor escapes abductors during police operation

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Professor Oguejiofo Ujam, Dean of the School of General Studies at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), has successfully escaped from kidnappers during a police operation.The development was confirmed by the Enugu State Police Command’s spokesperson, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, in an official statement.According to Ndukwe, operatives from the Unity Police Division disrupted a kidnapping attempt around the Neke-Uno section of the Enugu/Opi/Nsukka Road on Monday, October 28, 2024, at approximately 7:10 p.m.During the rescue effort, Prof. Ujam managed to break free from his abductors.Ndukwe further reported that following an intense gunfight, the kidnappers fled, leaving behind an AK-47 rifle, two magazines loaded with 22 rounds of ammunition, and a belt with 39 live rounds.“Further operations to hunt down the fleeing suspects the same night led to a lecturer at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, reportedly kidnapped on October 26, 2024, escaping from his abductors’ custody,” the statement read.The police also addressed rumors circulating online, clarifying that no Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) officer traveling from Benue State was abducted along the route.“The Command refutes viral reports alleging the kidnapping of a Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) officer traveling from Benue State along this route, clarifying that no such incident has been recorded anywhere in Enugu State,” Ndukwe emphasized.He dismissed claims that the Enugu/Opi/Nsukka Road is unsafe, describing such reports as “scaremongering.”Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, CP Kanayo Uzuegbu, has ordered the deployment of additional personnel to reinforce “overt and covert operations” along the affected route, ensuring the safety of travelers.

I  planned kidnapping aide to my council chairman so that council will pay me ransom – arrested former lawmaker confesses

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A two-time former councillor, Ndubisi Okechhukwu, who represented Emu-Uno in the Kwale Local Government Area of Delta State, has been arrested by police operatives, following a foiled kidnapping attempt.This was contained in a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer, Delta State Police Command, Bright Edafe; a copy of which was obtained by our correspondent in Warri, on Sunday.The police spokesman noted that the councillor’s arrest followed credible intelligence received by the Divisional Police Officer, Abbi Division, Florence Onum, noting that “there was a plan to kidnap a prominent member of Abbi community.”“Acting on this intelligence, the DPO, Kwale, and operatives of the division, embarked on a discreet investigation, and on October 21, 2024, at about 1900hrs, one Hon. Ndubisi Okechhukwu, a two-times councillor in Emu-Uno, Kwale, was arrested,” the statement read partly.

On interrogation, the suspect was said to have confessed to the incident which he reportedly anchored on his “suspension from being a councillor.“He further stated that he wanted to kidnap the said woman so that the Local Government would pay the ransom since he knew the woman was close to the local government chairman.”Meanwhile, the suspect is in custody as investigation is ongoing on the matter.In a similar development, acting on credible intelligence gathered on the activities of a suspected kidnapper, one Philip Onoghosa, the gang leader of a kidnapping syndicate terrorising the Sapele-Warri Road, the operatives of CP-Special Assignment Team, on October 25, 2024, at about 1730hrs, went on the trail of the said suspect in Sapele town.According to the PPRO, the suspect who was at Amukpe Roundabout buying illicit drugs sighted the operatives and took to his heel, abandoning one Black Toyota Corolla with Registration Number SKL330AE.

Upon search of the vehicle, one Baretta pistol loaded with two live ammunition was recovered. The police noted that a manhunt for the fleeing suspect is ongoing.“Also, on October 22, 2024, at about 1700hrs, the Safer Highway Patrol Team deployed to Sapele, while conducting an intensive stop-and-search along the Mosogar Benin Road, flagged down a Toyota RAV4 SUV, black with Reg. No. KUJ-311-MB.“The driver, before getting to the checkpoint, manoeuvred the vehicle and sped off while the police operatives immediately went after him. The suspect, on noticing that the policemen were closing in on him, abandoned the vehicle and fled into a nearby bush.“The vehicle was recovered and upon search of the vehicle, the vehicle particulars bearing the name and contact of the owner were found.

The owner who was immediately contacted stated that the vehicle was stolen from his compound in Kogi State. Two metal master keys and 14 different Toyota vehicle keys were recovered,” the statement noted, adding that investigations have been launched into the matter.In the meantime, the state Commissioner of Police, Olufemi Abaniwonda, has reiterated “the command’s commitment to ensure that crime in the state is reduced so that residents and Deltans can sleep with their eyes closed.”The CP further stated that “due to the Ember months period, there may be a likely increase in crime. Hence, policemen have been deployed around the 25 local government areas and embarked on intensive visibility patrol, while constant raiding of criminal hideouts and black spots will be intensified.”

NDLEA intercepts US, Europe-bound drugs in shoe soles, N16.6b opioids at seaports

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Recovers 2,760kg illicit consignments in Lagos shrine, underground storage in Lekki

By Ebinum Samuel

Consignments of opioids concealed in soles of shoes and hair attachments heading to the United States, United Kingdom and Cyprus have been intercepted by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja Lagos and three courier companies in the state.

A total of 2,118 pills of tramadol concealed in soles of 13 pairs of shoes going to Cyprus were seized at the export shed of the Lagos airport on 12th October 2024 and additional 380 tablets recovered from the home of the sender, Okenwa Kelvin Uchenna during a follow up operation in Enugu on Thursday 24th October. A cash of N968,880 and a Toyota Avalon car marked UWN 389 AS, were also recovered from the suspect at the time of his arrest. Not less than 293 ampoules of promethazine and pentazocine injection as well as 1.690kg cannabis and tramadol tablets concealed in hair attachments and soles of shoes going to the United States, United Kingdom and Oman were intercepted at three courier firms by NDLEA officers of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation, DOGI, in Lagos on Thursday 24th October. In the same vein, a total of Twenty Six Million Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand (26,250,000) pills of tramadol as well as Five Hundred and Eight Thousand Four Hundred (508,400) bottles of codeine based syrup worth Sixteen Billion Six Hundred and Eighty Three Million Eight Hundred Thousand Naira (N16, 683, 800,000) in street value were intercepted by NDLEA operatives during 100 percent joint examination of watch-listed containers with men of Customs Service and other security agencies at the Tincan port in Lagos and Port Harcourt port, Onne, Rivers state between Tuesday 22nd and Wednesday 23rd October.

Other illicit consignments intercepted during the joint inspection of the containers include 10 million tablets of Toradol Benzhexol and 28 plastic drums of methamphetamine weighing 700kg at Tincan and Onne respectively, while 56 parcels of Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis weighing 28kg were also recovered from a container that arrived the Lagos port from Canada. A suspect, Tsolaye Eburajolo, 40, was arrested at Ago Palace area of Okota Lagos in connection with the cannabis seizure while a bribe of N10million paid NDLEA officers to free the suspect has been kept as part of the exhibits for the prosecution of the case. Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives in Lagos on Friday 25th October raided the Igbo – Igunuko shrine, located at the Alfa Beach, Ajah, where jumbo bags of Ghanaian Loud, a strain of cannabis, weighing 2,760kg were recovered and two suspects: Gbenga Abiodun and Sunday Abiodun arrested.

Another suspect, Ademola Oyelakin was also arrested same day with 770kg of the same psychoactive substance along Lagos-Ibadan expressway. A total of 11,786 pills of tramadol, molly, rohypnol and diazepam as well as 64 bottles of codeine syrup were recovered from the underground storage a suspect, Muhammad Warnos Abdullahi dug in his bedroom at Marwa Coastal road, Lekki Phase 1 Lagos when NDLEA officers raided his home on Friday 25th October. The suspect dug the illicit drug storage deep in his room, covered it with padlocked iron slate, a rug and then put his mattress on top to avoid detection. In Plateau, a suspect Fadan Bindom, 39, was arrested at Pilgani village in possession of 65.85kg cannabis and 18 grams of tramadol, while another suspect Sunday Agbata, 42, was nabbed at Pavwei – Rayfield Jos South LGA with 5,830 tablets and ampoules of bromazepam, diazepam and pentazocine injection on Wednesday 23rd October.

A major distributor of illicit drugs in FCT Abuja, Umar Muhammed, 40, was on Monday 21st October nabbed following the earlier seizure of a consignment of 198.5kg cannabis linked to him at Wuse market park. In Edo state, NDLEA operatives recovered 640kg cannabis concealed in 80 jumbo bags of fresh vegetables at Ewu junction, Irrua, Esan Central LGA and arrested a suspect, Austin Oruamen, 27, while another suspect Adereti Kazeem, 35, was nabbed with 200 blocks of cannabis weighing 133kg at Obalayan, Ile-Ife, Osun state on Thursday 24th October. With the same vigour, Commands and formations of the Agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, sensitization activities to schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others in the past week.

These include: WADA sensitisation lecture to students and staff of Government Girls Secondary School, Tambuwal, Sokoto; St. Mary College, Awka, Anambra state; Prime Rose Model Private College, Saki, Oyo state; Community Model Arabic College, Malumfashi, Katsina state; Community Junior Secondary School, Rumuomasi, Rivers state; and WADA advocacy lecture to Rugar Alhaji Manu Unguwan Sullubawa, Gombi, Adamawa state, among others. While commending the officers and men of MMIA, Tincan, PHPC, Lagos, FCT, Osun, Plateau and Edo Commands of the Agency as well as those of DOGI for the arrests and seizures, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) stated that their operational successes and those of their compatriots across the country especially their balanced approach to drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts are well appreciated.