- Foils multiple drug trafficking attempts nationwide
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a 43-year-old make-up artist, Adekoya Adebukonla Mary, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos, for attempting to traffic 2.2 kilograms of cocaine to India. The drug was cleverly concealed in the factory-fitted walls of her suitcase.
Director, Media and Advocacy NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja Femi Babafemi said Adekoya, who claimed she was travelling for fibroid surgery in India, was intercepted on Monday, June 16, 2025, following credible intelligence. She was allowed to go through the standard check-in process before being arrested at the boarding gate of her Qatar Airways flight to India via Doha. A thorough search of her luggage revealed two large parcels of cocaine weighing 2.2kg.
He added that during interrogation, she confessed that her trip was arranged for financial gain under the pretense of medical treatment. Investigations revealed she had been recruited and sponsored by a known drug baron, Akeem Ayinde Adekanbi, who owns Rockford Hotel in Sango, Ogun State, and resides in the Igbe Laara area of Ikorodu, Lagos.
Major Seizures and Arrests Across Nigeria
In a sweeping crackdown across multiple states, NDLEA operatives made significant arrests and seizures in the past week, underscoring the agency’s intensified war on drug trafficking and abuse:
Lagos (Courier Interceptions)
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June 19: At a courier company, NDLEA’s Directorate of Operations and General Investigation (DOGI) intercepted a shipment of sewn female dresses containing 1.3kg of Loud, a high-grade cannabis variant, destined for Bahrain.
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June 18: Another courier package containing 850 grams of cocaine hidden in cloth hangers and heading to Australia was discovered.
Bauchi
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Along the Bauchi–Darazo road, operatives arrested Ibrahim Galadima (37) and Ibrahim Muhammed (28) with 1,013,000 pills of opioids, including tramadol, diazepam, and exol-5.
Kaduna
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June 17: Bishir Isyaku (38) was arrested at Gwargwaje, along the Kaduna–Zaria expressway with 14.2kg of skunk and 198kg of rubber solution disguised in sacks of charcoal and cartons.
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In Abuja’s Karu Abattoir and Torabora areas, six suspects were arrested during targeted raids with 6.9kg of skunk and 59g of methamphetamine recovered.
Kano
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June 19: NDLEA officers on the Zaria–Kano road arrested Umar Hamisu (19) and Dahiru Abdullahi (32) with 56.2kg of skunk.
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Same day: Obiwuru Henry (27) was found with 23,720 tramadol capsules and 1,400 ampoules of pentazocine along Jaba Road, Fagge LGA.
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June 21: Abubakar Modu (60) and Abdulkadir Muhammed (28) were caught with 36.6kg and 32kg of skunk, respectively.
Kwara
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In Ilorin, Olothin Nifemi (22), a female student of Kwara State Polytechnic notorious for selling illicit substances to fellow students, was arrested with 1kg of skunk on June 19.
Edo
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In a major raid on June 20, NDLEA operatives stormed Ugbada camp in the Uzebba forest of Owan West LGA, destroying 4,226.11kg of cannabis farms. A suspect, Albert Shamaki (33), was arrested at the scene.
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June 19: At Big Jamaya Supermarket in Esan West LGA, Esther Abumere (28) was arrested and large quantities of Colorado, Loud, Molly, tramadol, and other opioids were recovered.
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In Igueben, a provision shop raid led to the arrest of Eko Gift (38) and seizure of 1.143kg of skunk.
NDLEA Expands WADA Advocacy
As part of the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative, NDLEA intensified its community and school outreach across Nigeria. Sensitization lectures were held at:
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Government Day Arabic Secondary School, Guri, Jigawa
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Government College, Lafia, Nasarawa
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Atodo Secondary School, Ankpa, Kogi
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Natsugunne Junior Secondary School, Jabba, Kano
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Shallom Academy, Ibagwa, Enugu
In Osun State, NDLEA officials also paid an advocacy visit to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, in his palace at Ile-Ife.
Marwa Commends Officers
NDLEA Chairman/CEO, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), praised officers and men of the MMIA, DOGI, and the commands in Bauchi, Kaduna, Kano, Kwara, Edo, and the FCT for their professionalism and commitment. He encouraged all personnel to continue striking a balance between reducing drug supply and curbing demand through advocacy and enforcement.
