Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted a shipment of cocaine and tramadol hidden in 71 vehicle side mirrors at the export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos. The consignment, bound for Libreville, Gabon, led to the arrest of at least three suspects in follow-up operations.
NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi, in a statement on Sunday, revealed that the first batch, seized on July 19, 2025, comprised 57,420 tramadol 225mg pills and 57 pellets of cocaine weighing 1.6 kilograms. A well-known cargo agent, Ihekweme Osinachi, was arrested in connection with the shipment. Further investigations led to the arrest of Uzochukwu Chukwurah, from whose residence an additional 11 cocaine parcels (1 kg) were recovered, bringing the total to 68 parcels weighing 2.6 kilograms.
In a related operation, a businesswoman, Mrs. Nwafor Nneka, was arrested at her shop in the Trade Fair Complex, Ojo, Lagos. The arrest followed the July 10 interception of cocaine and phenacetine (a cutting agent) concealed in lipstick tubes destined for Malabo, Equatorial Guinea. Two cargo agents linked to the consignment were earlier detained. Nneka confessed to sourcing the lipsticks, while her husband, Remigus Nwafor — now on the run — handled the concealment.
Meanwhile, in Abuja, three dispatch riders were arrested on July 23 in Gwarimpa, Jahi, and Galadimawa for distributing illicit substances. A total of 149.8 grams of “Canadian Loud” cannabis was recovered. Two other suspects were also arrested along the Abaji-Gwagwalada expressway with 91.1 kg of skunk.
In Lagos, NDLEA operatives arrested Joseph Michael with 3.3 kg of “Colorado,” a synthetic cannabis variant, in Mushin, and Ibrahim Sulaiman in Iwaya, Yaba, with 16.5 litres of skuchies — a cannabis-laced drink.
Other nationwide arrests include:
-
Benue: 100,000 tramadol capsules seized from Hussein Yusuf.
-
Edo: 233.5 kg of skunk recovered from a warehouse in Ekpoma; suspect William Alabi arrested.
-
Borno: 160 tramadol pills found hidden in footwear by Umar Aminu at the Maiduguri airport.
-
Ogun: 7,218 opioid pills seized from Yahaya Aminat in Oja Odan.
-
Oyo: Oladeji Saka arrested with 77.5 kg of skunk in Ibadan.
-
Delta: Benson Izah arrested in Abraka with 12.5 kg of skunk, 1 kg tramadol, and 14.4 litres of codeine.
-
Bayelsa: Chief Emeka Opara and Onuoha Chidinma arrested in Amassoma with 41,705 tramadol capsules and other opioids.
-
Kano: Bashir Gambo arrested with 61 kg of skunk in Tudun Wada.
-
Osun: Kabiru Ayinde and Roqeeb Adekanmbi arrested in Iwo with 90 kg skunk, 36.3 g methamphetamine, a Toyota bus, and ₦228,200 cash.
The NDLEA also continued its nationwide War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization campaigns across schools, worship centres, workplaces, and communities.
NDLEA Chairman/CEO Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd) commended the agency’s officers for their efforts and urged continued commitment to the agency’s balanced approach to drug control across the country.
