The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested Prophet Adefolusho Aanu Olasele, founder and General Overseer of The Turn of Mercy Church, for allegedly masterminding multiple cross-border shipments of illicit drugs into Nigeria.
According to NDLEA spokesman Femi Babafemi, the cleric — also known as Abbas Ajakaiye — was apprehended on Sunday, 3 August 2025, at his church in Okun Ajah, Lekki, Lagos. Operatives reportedly monitored the premises throughout the day, moving in immediately after the conclusion of the evening service.
Olasele had allegedly been in hiding in Ghana since June, evading two previous arrest attempts. His arrest follows the interception of 200 kilogrammes of Ghana Loud, a potent cannabis strain, at Okun Ajah beach on 4 June 2025, and another 700 kilogrammes recovered from his delivery van on 6 July 2025. In a written statement, he admitted ferrying the drugs via waterways from Ghana.
The NDLEA also reported multiple recent operations across the country:
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Lagos: Benjamin Ukoh was arrested in Parkview Estate, Ikoyi, with 15.63 kilogrammes of Canadian Loud.
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Nasarawa: Three suspects were caught with 3,093 kilogrammes of skunk in New Karu.
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Kano: Arrests included a man with 359 kilogrammes of skunk, another with 9 kilogrammes of Colorado, and a third with 20,000 tramadol pills and 200 diazepam ampoules.
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Gombe: Over 550,000 opioid pills were seized in Tudun Wadan Pantami, and another 50,000 tramadol capsules were intercepted in Bajoga.
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Edo: A Toyota Hiace from Onitsha was intercepted at Ewu junction with over 25,000 opioid capsules and injections.
NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd) commended the officers involved in the seizures and arrests, urging continued commitment to the agency’s balanced approach to drug control nationwide.
