The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled at least six drug syndicates, seized large consignments of illicit substances, and arrested nine suspected kingpins in a series of coordinated, intelligence-led operations across the country.
NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi, who disclosed the development in a statement on Sunday, said one of the operations led to the arrest of two members of a drug trafficking network in Onitsha, Anambra State. The suspects had gone to collect parcels containing 5.4kg of methamphetamine, 10.7kg of Loud cannabis, 16g of cocaine, and other illicit substances cleverly concealed in pressure machine cylinders imported from South Africa.
The arrested individuals include 30-year-old electrical appliances dealer Ebulue Uzochukwu and 51-year-old South Africa returnee Christopher Ndibuisi. The consignment had arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on November 13 aboard a Tag-Angola flight and was intercepted following credible intelligence. A sting operation afterwards led to the arrests in Onitsha.
In another Lagos airport operation, NDLEA officers intercepted a brake servo automobile part used to hide 48 pellets and a block of cocaine weighing 2.3kg destined for Gabon. Freight agent Ameh Solomon was arrested, and a follow-up operation led to the arrest of auto parts dealer Nwafor Tochukwu at the Trade Fair Complex.
In Kogi State, officers last Monday intercepted a trailer transporting 4,700kg of skunk at Kabba. Three suspects accompanying the vehicle were arrested, while a subsequent operation in Jos, Plateau State, resulted in the arrest of the alleged kingpin, Marcus Mangu.
Similarly, a couple—55-year-old Onun Okoi Okpotum and 52-year-old Itam Okoi Okpotum—was arrested in Ugep, Cross River State, where NDLEA recovered 362 jumbo bags of skunk weighing 4,706kg from their warehouse.
In Edo State, two women, 19-year-old Praise Nwogu and 25-year-old Ebong Oghosa, were arrested in Benin City for producing and selling drug-laced brownies online. Additional arrests were made in Ososo village where 35-year-old Shedrack Aminu was found with 59kg of skunk.
Other seizures included tramadol, pentazocine injections, live ammunition, and various opioids recovered from suspects across Enugu, Kebbi, Niger, Abuja, and Lagos. Notably, 13,155 bottles of codeine syrup were evacuated from a warehouse in Kebbi, while a suspect heading toward a Boko Haram enclave in Borno was arrested with 12,548 pills of opioids concealed in paracetamol containers.
In Lagos, NDLEA operatives apprehended Usman Adegoke after 139 pouches of Canadian Loud were discovered in a Lekki apartment. Another suspect, Oluchi Celestine, was arrested with Colorado cannabis concealed in branded containers and flight boarding cards.
A joint operation with military personnel also led to a major raid on the notorious Peti drug enclave on Lagos Island, where 385kg of skunk, Loud, and Colorado were seized.
NDLEA Chairman/CEO Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd.) said the intensified crackdown was necessary ahead of the festive season, a period often exploited by drug cartels. “The coming weeks present both an opportunity and a challenge. Drug cartels may attempt to increase their illegal activities during the holiday period. We must not, and will not, let down our guard,” he said.
Babafemi added that NDLEA formations nationwide continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation activities across schools, religious centres, workplaces, and communities.
