In a statement on Sunday, NDLEA spokesman Femi Babafemi revealed that Iheanacho, 50, was intercepted last Wednesday during passenger screening on an Ethiopian Airlines flight from Addis Ababa. Intelligence and surveillance had tracked Iheanacho for months before his arrest. Upon being placed under observation, he excreted 90 pellets of cocaine weighing 2.019 kilograms across seven excretions.
Investigations revealed that Iheanacho, a phone and accessories trader operating in Lagos and Gabon, undertook a convoluted travel route from Gabon through Cameroon to Ethiopia, where he swallowed the drugs during transit, hoping to reach Lagos undetected. He admitted that financial struggles in his business drove him to the illicit drug trade.
Cartel Leaders and Syndicates Targeted
In Lagos, the agency’s Special Operations Unit dismantled a cocaine distribution cartel led by 42-year-old Ndive Obinna. Five of Obinna’s associates, including stash keeper Ifeoma Okeke, were arrested in Ago Palace Way, Isolo, with 2.412 kilograms of cocaine recovered.
Another breakthrough came with the arrest of a 58-year-old Chinese national, Tianzhen Yen, alias “Jackie,” in Ikeja. Yen, identified as the leader of a trans-border drug trafficking syndicate, was apprehended at a hotel where officers recovered cocaine, methamphetamine, weighing scales, and his Chinese national identification card. This operation followed the interception of 750 grams of cocaine from an associate, Yakubu Mark, traveling by bus to Ghana.
Nationwide Seizures Continue
At Tincan Seaport in Lagos, NDLEA operatives seized 92 parcels of “Loud,” a high-grade synthetic cannabis weighing 23.25 kilograms, concealed in vehicles imported from Canada. The operation involved collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Service and other security stakeholders.
In Rivers State, officers intercepted two containers carrying opioids during a joint examination at the Port Harcourt Ports Complex, Onne. The haul included 168,000 bottles of codeine-based syrup valued at ₦1.2 billion and 4.5 million tramadol pills worth ₦3.2 billion, bringing the total street value of the drugs to over ₦4.3 billion.
Arrests in Other States
- Ekiti: A physically challenged woman, Mustapha Boja, was arrested with 286 grams of cannabis derivatives in Ikere-Ekiti.
- Edo: Officers seized over 1,200 kilograms of cannabis in multiple raids, including 463.5 kilograms from Utese Forest and 507 kilograms from Owan village. Three suspects were apprehended in connection with these seizures.
- Kano: Four suspects were arrested with 45 kilograms of cannabis at Gadar Tamburawa, Zaria-Kano road.
- Bauchi: Ayuba Zaranda, 55, was caught with 124 kilograms of cannabis at Pengana village, Toro local government area.
NDLEA’s Continued Commitment
NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd) commended the officers for their relentless efforts across the country. He emphasized the agency’s dual approach to combating drug trafficking: reducing supply through enforcement and curbing demand through education and sensitization programs.
The agency also conducted outreach under its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign, engaging schools, workplaces, worship centers, and communities to raise awareness of the dangers of drug abuse.
“These successes highlight the NDLEA’s resolve to dismantle drug cartels and intercept narcotics before they reach Nigerian communities,” Marwa stated, urging continued public support in the fight against drug abuse and trafficking.
