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Tag: NDLEA

  • NDLEA smashes drug cartel, arrests 3 kingpins, seizes N5.3bn Australia-bound cocaine

    NDLEA smashes drug cartel, arrests 3 kingpins, seizes N5.3bn Australia-bound cocaine

    . Intercepts N1.1bn codeine consignment in Rivers; recovers 653kg Colos, Loud in Lagos, Abuja raids

    An international organized criminal group (IOCG) operating between Nigeria, UK, Brazil, Australia, and the United Arab Emirate has been smashed by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) who in a two-week-long intelligence-led operations across parts of Lagos arrested three leaders of the cartel after intercepting large consignment of cocaine concealed in textile materials and local charms going to Sydney, Australia at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Ikeja Lagos.

    The unraveling of the drug syndicate began on Tuesday 26th August 2025 after NDLEA officers at the export shed of the Lagos airport intercepted 76 cartons of textile materials going to Sydney, Australia. A thorough search of the shipment led to the recovery of 16 big blocks of cocaine weighing 17.9 kilograms hidden in the lace materials parked with local charms to provide spiritual cover against law enforcement detection. A freight agent and member of the syndicate, Olashupo Michael Oladimeji was the first to be arrested. The consignment was expected to fetch the syndicate an estimated street value of over 5.3 million Australian Dollars, equivalent of N5.3 billion.

    Fast-paced investigation of the operations of the IOCG quickly unmasked other leaders of the group: Muaezee Ademola Ogunbiyi and Shola Adegoke. Ogunbiyi who is the arrowhead of the syndicate in Nigeria was arrested at a hotel in Ikeja GRA on Wednesday 3rd September and swiftly taken to his house in Lekki area of Lagos where a search led to the recovery of 21 parcels of Canadian Loud, a strain of cannabis with a total weight of 10.90kg and a double-barreled pump action gun, with some cartridges.
    A house located at 13 Reverend Ogunbiyi Street, Ikeja GRA, where the criminal group use to package illicit drugs for export was subsequently raided and another leader of the syndicate Shola Adegoke arrested there.

    A black Range Rover SUV marked RBC 459 EJ found in the compound was searched and 17 parcels of Loud weighing 9.60 kilograms were recovered. A black Toyota Venza car with registration number FST 771 JQ was earlier recovered from Ogunbiyi at the point of his arrest at the hotel.

    Investigations revealed that while Ogunbiyi coordinates operations for the group in Nigeria, one Adebisi Ademola Omoyele (Mr. Bee) who is currently hibernating in Dubai, UAE is identified as the ringleader of the criminal network who coordinates their overseas operations.

    Shola Adegoke was found to have been jailed in the UK in 2021 for dealing in Methamphetamine and subsequently deported to Nigeria in 2024. Ogunbiyi was also found to have served a 14-year-jail term in the UK over a murder case before returning to Nigeria about eight years ago.
    Meanwhile, a Milan Italy-based Nigerian Gabriel Michael was on Friday 5th September arrested by NDLEA operatives at the departure hall of terminal 1 of the Lagos airport while attempting to board an Air France flight to Italy. He was found to have concealed a total of 24,480 pills of tramadol 100mg, 200mg and 225mg, which he claimed he was going to sell for 19,520 euros.

    A total of 160,200 bottles of codeine-based syrup were discovered in a 40ft container during a joint examination of the shipment by NDLEA officers and men of Nigeria Customs and other security agencies at the West Africa Container Terminal (WACT) Port Harcourt Ports Complex, Onne, Rivers state on Thursday 4th September. The container which has 220 cartons of ceramic sanitary wares used as cover for the codeine syrup was one of the shipments watch-listed and tracked by a special operations unit of NDLEA while the illicit consignment has an estimated street value of over N1.1 billion.
    In the Federal Capital Territory Abuja, NDLEA operatives on a stop and search operation on Thursday 4th September arrested a dispatch rider Joel Bernard, 32, in Gwarimpa area of the FCT while conveying 3.1kg Colorado, a synthetic strain of cannabis.

    In Lagos, NDLEA operatives acting on credible intelligence on Monday 1st September arrested the duo of Tunde Ayinla, 47, and Olawale Omotare, 54, while loading four distribution vehicles at their 28 Ola Street, Ijesha Surulere home. Recovered from them include: 9kg of Canadian Loud; 5kg of Colorado and 1,101 compressed blocks of Ghana Loud weighing 611kg, bringing the total weight of the combined seizures to 625 kilograms.

    In another raid in Lagos, operatives on Friday 5th September arrested a couple: Andy David, 43, and Andy Esther, 44, with 24.4kg of skunk, a strain of cannabis, recovered from their home in Ajegunle area of the state.

    While 45-year-old Musa Isah was arrested with 53.400kg skunk concealed in two cartons in the trunk of his Toyota Avensus car marked ABC 338 SS in Kogi state, Yunusa Zakari, 23, was nabbed in a follow up operation in Auchi, Edo state on Friday 5th September in connection with the earlier seizure of 233kg skunk in Kakau, Kaduna state.
    Not less than 11,000 pills of tramadol were recovered from a suspect Ayouk Nelson, 28, when he was arrested by NDLEA operatives on Wednesday 3rd September at 61 Bida road, Onitsha, Anambra State, just as operatives on patrol along Minna-Bida road Niger state on Tuesday 2nd September intercepted a white Toyota Hilux vehicle. A search led to the seizure of 30 bags of skunk weighing 342 kilograms while the driver Afolayan Ayodele, 54, conveying the consignment was arrested.

    In Taraba state, a total of 18,750 kilograms of skunk were destroyed on 7.5 hectares of cannabis plantations at Joro-Ade village, Ardo Kola, LGA on Tuesday 2nd September. Owners of the two farms: Mako Zmar, 55, and Sani Titus, 45, were arrested during the operation.

    Across the country, NDLEA Commands continued their War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, sensitization lectures and advocacy visits to worship centres, workplaces, palaces of traditional rulers and communities all through the past week. Instances include: WADA sensitization lecture to officers and men of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Lafia, Nasarawa state; ward heads in Kano Municipal Council, Kano state; and members of traditional medicine practitioners association, Awgu local government area, Anambra state, while the Kogi state strategic command of NDLEA paid a WADA advocacy visit to the Ohi of Ihima and Chairman Okehi LGA council of traditional rulers, HRH Alhaji Abdulraheem Ahmed Ogido, among others.
    While commending the officers and men of MMIA, PHPC, Lagos, FCT, Anambra, Taraba, Kaduna, Kogi, and Niger Commands of the Agency for the arrests and seizures of the past week, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd) enjoined them and their colleagues across the country to intensify the ongoing balanced approach to the drug control efforts of the Agency.

  • NDLEA decorates newly promoted Deputy Commanders in Edo

    NDLEA decorates newly promoted Deputy Commanders in Edo

    The Edo Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has decorated seven officers who were recently promoted to the rank of Deputy Commander of Narcotics.

    The event, held at the command headquarters in Benin on Friday, was presided over by the State Commander, Mr Mitchell Ofoyeju.

    Ofoyeju charged the newly decorated officers to see their promotion as a call to higher responsibilities in the fight against drug trafficking and abuse.

    “The elevation to Deputy Commander of Narcotics reinforces the agency’s commitment to enhancing its operational capacity and maintaining a strong stance against drug-related crime in Edo,” the commander said.

    The commandant noted that the officers had shown exemplary leadership and resilience in tackling the challenges posed by drug trafficking in the state.

    Ofoyeju emphasised that the command remained optimistic, expressing confidence in the officers’ ability to navigate the complexities of drug enforcement and confront greater challenges in the fight against drug trafficking and abuse.

    “I congratulate you and charge you to remain courageous and dogged in the discharge of your responsibilities,” he said.

    Those decorated included Timothy Odu, James Olarewaju, Akpabio Akpan, Anthony Oko, Fidelis Heijirika, Paul Akhazee and Mohammed Danmusa.

    Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, Mr Timothy Odu pledged their renewed commitment to duty.

    “To whom much is given, much is expected. We are glad with the promotion and pledge our loyalty and dedication in the discharge of our new responsibilities,” he said.

    The event was attended by senior management staff, fellow officers, as well as family members of the promoted personnel.

    Mrs Omobolaji James, wife of one of the decorated officers, expressed pride in her husband’s achievement.

    “I am proud of my husband’s achievements and the work he has done in the fight against drug trafficking and abuse.

    “This promotion is not just for him, but for all of us who support the fight against drugs,” she said.

  • Drug baron, 5 others in NDLEA custody over arrest of 3 Nigerians in Saudi Arabia

    Drug baron, 5 others in NDLEA custody over arrest of 3 Nigerians in Saudi Arabia

    . Face multiple charges for trafficking illicit substances to Jeddah as Marwa engages Saudi counterpart on the innocence of detained pilgrims

    A 55-year-old drug kingpin Mohammed Ali Abubakar alias Bello Karama and five members of a syndicate operating at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) Kano have been taken into custody by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) following the discovery that they are behind the shipment of illicit substances for which three innocent Nigerians who went on lesser hajj pilgrimage to the holy land were being detained in Jeddah for alleged drug trafficking.

    This was disclosed at a press conference addressed by the Agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi along with the Director of Assets and Financial Investigation, Dr. Abdul Ibrahim and Director of Prosecution and Legal Services, Theresa Asuquo, at the NDLEA National Headquarters in Abuja on Monday 25th August 2025.

    Explaining how the syndicate implicated three unsuspecting pilgrims in drug trafficking allegations in Saudi, the NDLEA said following receipt of complaints by its Chairman/Chief Executive, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) from three Nigerian families over the detention of their family members in Saudi Arabia after the completion of their lesser hajj pilgrimage on an allegation of trafficking in illicit substances into Saudi Arabia, an investigation was launched to unravel what happened.

    The Agency said the three Nigerians detained in Saudi: Mrs. Maryam Hussain Abdullahi; Mrs. Abdullahi Bahijja Aminu; and Mr. Abdulhamid Saddiq boarded an Ethiopian Airline flight ET940 which departed Kano on 6th August 2025 to Jeddah enroute Addis-Ababa were unfortunate to be tagged with six additional bags not belonging to them, three of which were found to contain illicit drugs.

    “Mrs. Maryam Hussain Abdullahi while embarking on this flight, only checked in one luggage weighing 9 kilograms on the 6th day of August, 2025 which incidentally did not arrive with her to her destination. Her husband was only informed of the arrival of their luggage on 16th August, a day before the date of their departure from Jeddah which was to be on the 17th day of August, 2025. Following this allegation, she was detained in Jeddah and is still in detention till date. The case of the other two persons followed the same pattern and were reported to the Agency shortly after Maryam Hussain’s complaint”, the Agency stated.

    It revealed its swift investigation revealed that “the bags containing illicit drug substances intercepted in Saudi Arabia were checked in against the complainants’ names by members of a criminal syndicate operating in Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport without the knowledge of the three complainants.

    “All the bags were traced to one Ali Abubakar Mohammed (aka Bello Karama), the leader of the syndicate who checked them into the Ethiopian Airline on the 6th day of August 2025, the same day the three complainants travelled on board the same airline from Kano enroute Addis-Ababa to Jeddah. It is interesting to note that the said Ali Abubakar Mohammed who also travelled to Jeddah on the same date boarded Egypt Air rather than Ethiopian Airline where he checked in his contaminated bags.

    “The bags were tagged and checked in by members of staff of Skyway Aviation Handling Company who are also members of the criminal syndicate, to the names of the three complainants secretly and without their knowledge or consent. The bags illegally tagged against the complainants’ names are the ones intercepted in Saudi Arabia and found to contain the illicit drug substances.

    “For the above reasons, the three complainants were arrested and detained for crimes they had no knowledge of. In the light of the forgoing, and the evidence gathered by the Agency in the course of our investigation, it is clear that Mrs. Maryam Abdullahi and two others who are being detained in Saudi are victims of circumstance, implicated by the activities of a criminal syndicate operating at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport.”

    The Agency said six members of the syndicate are already in its custody with four already charged to court awaiting arraignment including Ali Abubakar Mohammed (aka Bello Karama); Abdulbasit Adamu, Murtala Akande Olalekan and Celestina Emmanuel Yayock. “They have all made confessional statements. While Ali had admitted bringing in seven luggage, Celestina confessed checking in two of them for a fee of N100,000 and another suspect Jazuli Kabir who checked in two other bags admitted collecting N100,000 for the dirty job, while Ali travelled with the other three bags on Egypt Air. We have the receipts for the transfer of N200,000 from Ali to Celestina who in turn transferred N100,000 to Jazuli.”

    It said based on the outcome of its investigations it is spearheading a dialogue with the authority of the General Directorate of Narcotics Control (GDNC) in Saudi Arabia to see that the three innocent Nigerians are exonerated.

    “As a result, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Agency is presently on his way to attend an International Drug Conference which will be attended by a delegation from the General Directorate of Narcotics Control (GDNC), who he intends to meet one on one, to present our findings and seek the cooperation of our Saudi counterparts in ensuring that Mrs. Maryam Hussain Abdullahi, and the two others who remain stranded in the Kingdom, get the justice they deserve. If required, the CCEO is also prepared to travel to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia personally to pursue this matter to its conclusion”, Babafemi stated while assuring that Nigeria will never abandon its citizens, especially when the facts clearly show that they are victims of criminal conspiracies.

    The Agency assured the public of its commitment to fight the scourge of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in the country adding that “while there are no sacred cows in our enforcement duties which can be attested to by the number of high-profile arrests, seizures, convictions and forfeitures recorded, it will not support the innocent being punished for crimes they did not commit.”

    “While investigations continue, the CCEO will like to appreciate the Hon. Min of Aviation and Aerospace Development, the Managing Director of FAAN, the AVSEC and the DSS for their collaboration on this case and for the interim measures that have been approved in MAKIA to prevent a reoccurrence of this type of situation”, he stated.

  • Nigerian widow using fake pregnancy to traffic cocaine nabbed in Lagos

    Nigerian widow using fake pregnancy to traffic cocaine nabbed in Lagos

    A 50-year-old widow and fashion designer, Ifeoma Henrietta Ezewuike has been arrested by the operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) over attempt to traffic 1.3 kilograms of cocaine, using fake pregnancy as a façade to escape scrutiny and detection.

    TheNewsGuru.com(TNG) reports that the NDLEA’s Spokesman, Femi Babafemi made this known in a statement on Sunday disclosing that the widow who is a mother of one and proprietress of Golden Star Creation, a fashion outfit in Ago palace way, Okota Lagos, was arrested at a bus terminal in Jibowu, Yaba area of the state on Friday 22nd August 2025 while attempting to move the cocaine consignment to customers in Abuja.

    A follow up operation at her house in Ago palace area led to the recovery of 200 grams of cutting agent used in the production of a strain of cocaine.

    In her statement, Ezewuike claimed she inherited the criminal trade from her husband who died two years ago, while she has been in the fashion business for 20 years.

    Not less than 90 parcels of Loud, a strain of cannabis weighing 48.6kg, imported from the United States of America and concealed in three cartons of kitchen sink were intercepted at a courier company in Lagos on Tuesday 19th August by NDLEA officers of the Directorate of Operation and General Investigation (DOGI).

    In Adamawa, NDLEA operatives acting on credible intelligence on Friday 22nd August raided the home of a notorious drug dealer Idris Garba who scaled the fence to escape arrest while one of his associates Boniface Nnaji, 55, who attempted same was caught in the act at Rumde Baru area of Yola South.
    Recovered from the premises include a black Toyota Thundra jeep marked FST- 885-CZ driven to Yola by Nnaji to supply Garba 354,480 pills of tramadol 225mg, 250mg and others as well as a Toyota Yaris car with registration number DSA 776 AA.

    A total of 5,000 capsules of tramadol, 400 ampoules of pentazocine injection and 200 ampoules of diazepam injection were seized from a suspect Neche Okonkwo at the Idah waterside after crossing the River Niger from Onitsha, Anambra state to Lokoja, Kogi state with the opioids on Wednesday 20th August.

    In Kano, the duo of Buhari Ibrahim, 25, and Mansur Musa, 24, were nabbed at Zangon Dakata Ungogo, with 5,850 capsules of pregabaline on Tuesday 19th August, while a total of 452,070 pills of opioids were recovered from the home of a suspect Rabilu Mukhtar who is at large, at Rangaza, Ungogo LGA just as Buhari Idris, 35, was arrested at Tashan Rami area of the state with 140 litres of codeine syrup, both on same Tuesday. No fewer than 7,000 capsules of tramadol were seized from Adamu Yusuf, 29, along Zaria-Kano road, Kwanar Dangora area of the state on Saturday 23rd August.

    A total of 2, 289.49 kilograms of skunk, a strain of cannabis were intercepted in three interdiction operations by NDLEA operatives in Kwara state. While 1,232.86kg was recovered from a Mitsubishi Canter truck marked ZUR 66 XT on Wednesday 20th August at Ajase-Ipo area of the state with a suspect, Kabiru Abdullahi arrested, another consignment of same psychoactive substance weighing 328.42kg was seized from Paul Olaniran, 47, in a Mercedes Benz truck marked LSD 659 YE same day, same location.

    The following day Thursday 21st August, NDLEA operatives intercepted another consignment of skunk weighing 728.21kg in a Mitsubishi Canter truck with registration number GAD 287 XA, at Ajase-Ipo junction, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara state where two suspects: Abubakar Zaki, 44; and Yau Babangida, 45, were arrested. Similarly, two suspects: Awe Sunday, 50; and Ayodele Adedayo, 54, were nabbed at Alafia Quarters, Ikere-Ekiti, Ekiti state in connection with the seizure of 96 kilograms of skunk.

    In Taraba, NDLEA operatives in conjunction with Civil Defence Corps personnel on Wednesday 20th August destroyed 7,500kg skunk on three hectares of farmland at Dadin Kowa village, Bali LGA, while 901kg of same substance was recovered from a warehouse at Uzebba in Owan West LGA, Edo State where a 54-year-old female suspect Fodo Stella Sunday was arrested on Tuesday 19th August.

    In other operations in Edo state, a total of 14,233.37 kilograms of skunk were destroyed on four plantations that measured 5.69375 hectares at Ebule forest, Owan West Local Government Area on Wednesday 20th August.

    In Delta state, NDLEA operatives supported by the military destroyed a total of 25,500kg skunk on four plantations measuring 10.2 hectares in Emu-Obiogu community, Ndokwa West LGA on Thursday 21st August, while in Ondo state, 25,025kg of same psychoactive substance was destroyed on three farms with a combined measurement of 10.01 hectares at Asolo camp, Uso area of the state.

    Two dispatch riders were on Thursday 21st August arrested by NDLEA officers in a stop and search operation in Jabi area of Abuja for distributing illicit substances in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). While Garba Sule, 29, was caught with 300 milligrams of pentazocine injection, Isaac Augustine, 35, was nabbed with 8.64grams of skunk packaged for delivery.

    In the same vein, Commands and formations of the Agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, sensitization activities to schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others in the past week.

    These include: WADA enlightenment lecture to women and teachers at Women Islamiyya School, Kanti Central mosque, Kanti, Katsina state; students and staff of Fathul Bari Islamiyya, Hayin Gwarmai, Bebeji LGA, Kano; while the Abia state command of NDLEA paid WADA advocacy visit to Governor Alex Otti just as Zone 4 command of the Agency paid WADA advocacy visit to HRH Andoma of Doma, Alhaji Ahmadu Aliyu Ogah in his palace in Doma, Nasarawa state.

    While commending the officers and men of DOGI, Lagos, Kano, Kogi, Kwara, Taraba, Delta, Adamawa, FCT, Ondo, Ekiti and Edo Commands for the arrests, seizures and their dexterity, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) enjoined them and their colleagues across the country to continue with the ongoing balanced approach to the drug control efforts of the Agency.

  • Two drug barons Emami, Akpomuai convicted, sentenced to 10 years imprisonment

    Two drug barons Emami, Akpomuai convicted, sentenced to 10 years imprisonment


    . Their conviction an indication NDLEA strategies are working, says Marwa

    Two notorious drug kingpins: 37-year-old Ajetsibo Emami popularly known as ‘Warri Kinsman’ and 51-year-old Solomon Akpomuai have been convicted and sentenced to a combined 10 years imprisonment by a Federal High Court in Lagos.

    Emami was arrested in Ikeja Lagos on Saturday 28th June 2025 after NDLEA operatives dismantled his drug trafficking network in a three-day operation leading to the arrest of three other suspects. Recovered from Emami’s network were 24 jumbo bags containing 681 pouches of Canadian Loud, a strain of cannabis weighing 414.2 kilograms.
    The bust of Emami’s drug ring followed credible intelligence on his attempt to move the shipment to Lekki area of Lagos, from where it will be distributed to other parts of the state and across the country.

    He was subsequently arraigned before Justice Deinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court 8 Lagos in charge number FHC/L/636C/2025 bordering on dealing in illicit drugs. In his ruling delivered on Monday 18th August 2025, the trial judge convicted Emami on the one count charge filed against him by NDLEA prosecutor Assistant Commander of Narcotics Buhari Shuaibu Abdullahi and sentenced him to six years in prison with an option of N50million in lieu of jail.

    In his case, Solomon Akpomuai was first arrested by men of Customs Service along Shagamu-Ijebu-Ode expressway with 2,197.8 kilograms of skunk, a strain of cannabis on 3rd June 2025 and transferred to NDLEA on 16th June after which he was arraigned in charge number FHC/L/635C before Justice Dipeolu for trafficking illicit drugs in large commercial quantity. Also delivering his judgement on the matter, the trial judge convicted and sentenced Akpomuai to four years in prison with an option of N50million fine.

    Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd) described the conviction of the two drug kingpins as an indication that Nigeria will sooner than later surmount the menace of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking as a result of the positive outcomes of the current balanced approach to the Agency’s drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts. He commended the judiciary, NDLEA officers involved in the investigation and prosecution of the cases as well as other stakeholders for their commitment to the cause of a drug free country.

  • Notorious drug lord nabbed in Delta as NDLEA intercepts N7.8bn opioids in Rivers

    Notorious drug lord nabbed in Delta as NDLEA intercepts N7.8bn opioids in Rivers

    . Destroys 48,750kg skunk in Enugu, Taraba forests; recovers 538,980 pills of tramadol in Kogi, Kaduna, Gombe, others; arrests woman, son for drug trafficking in Lagos

    Three years after launching a manhunt for him over drug trafficking offences, a notorious drug kingpin, 36-year-old Sunday Ibigide has been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Asaba, Delta state while attempting to move 250 blocks of skunk weighing 138 kilograms with his distribution bus.
    Ibigide came under searchlight on 19th March 2022 in connection with the seizure of 24.137kg of same psychoactive substance and 10grams of molly but thereafter went underground.

    However, following credible intelligence, NDLEA operatives in Delta state were able to arrest him along with one of his aides Clement Osuya, 27, while they were trying to move the 250 parcels of skunk for distribution on Sunday 10th August 2025.
    No fewer than six suspects were arrested on Thursday 14th and Friday 15th August when NDLEA operatives supported by the military and vigilantes raided three cannabis farms in Enugu Ezike, Enugu state where a total of 37,500kg skunk was destroyed on 15 hectares of farmland. Those arrested include: Ugwuanyi Chinaso, 23; James Negedu, 26; Sopuruchukwu Obido, 22; Ebuka Onu, 30; Ukwueze Sunday, 42; and Oguche Friday; while 74.5kg of the illicit substance was recovered for the prosecution of the suspects.

    While 20,700 pills of tramadol and cocodamol were seized from a suspect Emmanuel Ayogu, 53, by NDLEA officers on patrol along Nsukka road, 9th mile Enugu on Saturday 16th August, two other suspects: Nsubechukwu Achidde, 24, and Osiaja Simple Frank, 41, were arrested with 27.6kg skunk same day at the new market, Enugu.

    In Lagos, a 52-year-old woman Muyibat Mumuni was arrested with her son Faruk Mumuni, 25, by NDLEA operatives at Ladega street, Mushin on Wednesday 13th August for storing and distributing 298 blocks of Ghana Loud weighing 149kg while another suspect Emmanuel Samuel was nabbed on Friday 15th August in Ajah area of Lekki where 8.5kg Canadian Loud, a strain of cannabis was recovered from their apartment
    Not less than 128,000 capsules of tramadol were recovered from a suspect Sani Mohammed,32, who was arrested by NDLEA officers at Jauro Jatau, Gombe, Gombe state on Monday 11th August, while a total of 337, 800 capsules of the same pharmaceutical opioid were seized by operatives on patrol along Okene-Lokoja highway, Kogi state from the driver of a commercial bus, Sulaiman Oyedokun, 47, coming from Onitsha, Anambra state and heading to Kotangora, Niger state.

    While a total of 11, 250kg skunk was destroyed on 4.5 hectares of farmland on Tuesday 12th August when NDLEA operatives assisted by Sardauna Emirate Council and the Nigeria Forest Hunters Security Service raided the Tanmiya forest in Sardauna LGA, Taraba state, 29, 840 capsules of tramadol were seized from a suspect Saleh Babangida, 20, at a check point in Wukari area of the state on Saturday 16th August.
    In Kaduna, two suspects: Mohammed Amdife, 46, and Sulaiman Mohammed, 22, were arrested in connection with the seizure of 22, 640 pills of tramadol and rohypnol at Gwargwaje check point, Zaria and Tudun Wada area of the state. Two other suspects: Caroline David, 51, and Abdulhadi Umar, 30, were nabbed over the seizure of 111.1kg skunk intercepted along Zaria – Kano road.

    At the Port Harcourt Ports Complex, Onne, Rivers state, a total of 875,000 bottles of codeine based syrup worth over N6.1billion in street value and 3, 500,000 pills of trodol benzhexol valued at N1.7billion were recovered from five containers under NDLEA intelligence tracking and watch-list during joint examination with Customs Service and other security agencies on Wednesday 13th and Thursday 14th August at the West Africa Container Terminal (WACT) of the Onne port.

    In Edo, NDLEA operatives on Wednesday 13th August recovered 24 bags of skunk weighing 432kg in a bush along Warake-Auchi road in Etsako West LGA, while 130kg of same substance was seized at a warehouse in Sobe, Owan West LGA the following day.
    A suspect Tahiru Madu Manga, 25, was nabbed by NDLEA officers along Zaria-Kano road, with 16kg skunk and another suspect Ibrahim Audu, 47, arrested with 76kg of the same psychoactive substance at Gadar Tamburawa along Zaria-Kano road, Kano state on Wednesday 13th August.

    No fewer than 4, 320 ampoules of ketamine injection were intercepted by NDLEA operatives at Gbaji checkpoint along Badagry-Lagos highway on Monday 11th August with a suspect Akeem Adegun arrested.
    In like manner, Commands and formations of the Agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization activities to schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others in the past week.

    These include: WADA advocacy visits to former Head of State, General Abdulsalam Abubakar in Minna, Niger state; the Emir of Borgu kingdom, HRH Alhaji Muhammad Haliru Dantoro, Kitoro IV, in Borgu kingdom, Niger state ; the Emir of Lafia, Hon. Justice Sidi Bage Mohammed (Rtd), in Lafia, Nasarawa state and the Shehu of Borno, HRH Dr. Abubakar Umar Ibn Garbai Elkanemi, in Maiduguri, Borno state, among others.
    While commending the officers and men of PHPC, Gombe, Kogi, Lagos, Edo, Kano, Delta, Taraba, and Seme Commands for the arrests, and seizures, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) enjoined them and their colleagues across the country to continue with the ongoing balanced approach to the drug control efforts of the Agency.

  • Suspected notorious drug dealer nabbed in Kano

    Suspected notorious drug dealer nabbed in Kano

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Kano State Strategic Command, says it has arrested a suspected notorious drug dealer, Faisal Yusuf-Umar, 23, in Fagge Local Government Area of the state.

    The Public Relations Officer of the command, Mr Sadiq Muhammad-Maigatari, disclosed this in a statement issued in Kano on Sunday.

    He said the suspect was apprehended following a surveillance operation initiated based on community complaints regarding his illicit activities.

    “On July 18, NDLEA operatives attached to the Fagge Area Command carried out a strategic operation at the suspect’s residence in Dandali, Fagge Local Government Area.

    “A significant quantity of controlled substance was recovered, including 40 bottles (4kg) of Benylin with Codeine and cash amounting to N204,000:00,” he said.

    Muhammad-Maigatari, quoted the State Strategic Commander, Mr Abubakar Idris-Ahmad, as saying that the suspect’s arrest underscored the NDLEA’s unwavering commitment to combating drug trafficking and abuse in the state.
    “The operation is part of the agency’s broader strategy to dismantle the networks of drug dealers operating in the state, who pose a serious threat to the health and safety of our communities”

    He emphasised that the fight against drug-related crimes was a collective responsibility.

    “We will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that Kano remains a safe and drug-free environment,” he assured.

    Muhammad-Maigatari urged residents and communities to report suspicious activities to the agency to assist in the ongoing efforts to eradicate drug abuse and trafficking.

  • JUST IN: Popular Lagos general overseer arrested over illicit drug involvement [Photos]

    JUST IN: Popular Lagos general overseer arrested over illicit drug involvement [Photos]

    Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested the founder and General Overseer of The Turn of Mercy Church, Prophet Adefolusho Aanu Olasele (alias Abbas Ajakaiye) for masterminding multiple shipments of illicit drugs into Nigeria.

    The NDLEA’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi in a statement on Sunday disclosed that Prophet Adefolusho was arrested at his church located in Okun Ajah, Ogombo road, Lekki area of Lagos on Sunday 3rd August 2025 by NDLEA officers who waited for him since morning to conclude the Sunday worship service in the evening before moving in on him the moment he stepped out of the church premises.

    The arrest, according to NDLEA spokesman came after the clergyman evaded arrest twice and fled to Ghana to hide since June when operatives started trailing him following the seizure of two shipments of Ghana Loud, a strain of cannabis linked to him.

    The first seizure of 200kg of the psychoactive substance was made at Okun Ajah beach on 4th June 2025 while another consignment of 700kg of same substance was recovered from his delivery van on 6th July 2025.

    In his statement, he admitted ferrying the illicit consignments through the waterways from Ghana into Nigeria, adding that he had fled to the West African country to hide after he escaped arrest twice in the recent past.

    The agency’s statement read: “In another operation in Lagos, NDLEA operatives on Thursday 7th August raided an apartment at Kishi House 11 Layi Ajayi Bembe street, Parkview Estate Ikoyi where they arrested a suspect Benjamin Udo Ukoh and recovered 32 pouches of Canadian Loud, a strain of Cannabis with a total weight of 15.63kg.

    “In Nasarawa state, NDLEA operatives on Saturday 9th August recovered a large consignment of skunk, a strain of cannabis weighing 3,093 kilograms from the trio of Emmanuel Asoquo Johnny, 51; Okem Raphael, 33, and Chekwube Odo, 25, at New Karu area of the state.

    “While 29-year-old Nura Yahaya was nabbed at Geza area of Kumbotso Kano State with 639 blocks of skunk weighing 359kg on Friday 8th August, another suspect Umar Adamu Umar, 27,was taken into custody on Wednesday 6th August by NDLEA officers after seizing 9kg of Colorado, a synthetic strain of cannabis from him along Zaria-Kano road, Kano.

    “In another interdiction operation in Kano, 20,000 pills of tramadol and 200 ampoules of diazepam injection were recovered from a suspect Usman Musa, 30, at Gadar Tamburawa along Zaria-Kano road on Friday 8th August.

    “A raid at an uncompleted building located at Tudun Wadan Pantami in Gombe town, Gombe state on Friday 8th August led to the recovery of 550, 266 pills of opioids mainly tramadol while a suspect Usama Isah was arrested. The following day Saturday 9th August, another suspect Ibrahim Adamu, 23, was arrested by NDLEA officers along Potiskum road, Bajoga with 50,000 capsules of tramadol.

    “In Edo state, a white Toyota Hiace bus marked YAB 5522 K coming from Onitsha Anambra and heading to Isanlu in Kogi was Wednesday 6th August intercepted at Ewu junction, Edo by NDLEA operatives who after a search recovered 23, 940 capsules of tramadol, 1,100 tablets of same opioid and 400 ampoules of pentazocine injection with a suspect Taiye Jethro arrested.

    “In like manner, Commands and formations of the Agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization activities to schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others in the past week. These include: WADA enlightenment lecture to students and staff of Mind City College, Saki, Oyo; Gwagwarwa Primary School, Nasarawa LGA, Kano; officers of the Nigerian Army 241 Recce Model Battalion, Nguru, Yobe; members of Engine Grinders Association, Gboko, Benue; while the Ekiti state command of NDLEA paid WADA advocacy visit to the Nigerian Correctional Service in Ado Ekiti, just as the Anambra state command of the Agency paid a similar WADA advocacy visit to the Speaker of the State House of Assembly.

    “While commending the officers and men of the Lagos, Nasarawa, Gombe, Kano, and Edo Commands for the arrests, seizures and their dexterity, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) enjoined them and their colleagues across the country to continue with the ongoing balanced approach to the drug control efforts of the Agency.”

  • Popular Lagos businessman, wife jailed 22 years

    Popular Lagos businessman, wife jailed 22 years

    A popular businessman, Johnson Uchenna, and his wife, Rosemary Uchenna, have been sentenced to a combined 22 and a half years in prison for dealing in illicit drugs.

    Spokesperson of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

    Babafemi disclosed that the judgment was delivered by Justice Deinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court 8, Lagos, on Monday.

    According to him, the couple was initially arrested on June 13 by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) in the Ojo area of Lagos State.

    He said they were subsequently handed over to the NDLEA along with 277.5kg of skunk, a potent strain of cannabis.

    “While investigations were ongoing, credible intelligence indicated that drug-related activities were continuing at their residence.

    “This led to a follow-up raid by NDLEA operatives on July 1, during which 231kg of the same substance was recovered from their home and a nearby storage facility.

    “The couple was arraigned on a four-count charge, bordering on conspiracy, dealing, and unlawful storage of 414.2kg of cannabis sativa, in case number FHC/L/632C/2025 at the Federal High Court in Lagos.

    “Delivering judgment on the case on Monday, Justice Dipeolu convicted Mrs Rosemary Uchenna on counts 1, 2, and 3 and sentenced her to 17 years in prison without an option of fine.

    “While her husband, Johnson Uchenna, was convicted and sentenced to five years imprisonment without option of fine on count 1 and six months in jail on count 4 with an option of N1 million fine.

    “In addition to the jail terms, the trial Judge also ordered the sum of N3.4 million recovered from the couple as proceeds of crime be forfeited to the Federal Government,” he said.

    Babafemi added that a Federal High Court in Kano, presided over by Justice Simon Amobeda, also convicted and sentenced a 42-year-old Indian national, Neetu Neetu, to five years in prison for drug trafficking.

    According to Babafemi, Neetu was found guilty of importing 72 parcels of heroin—factory sealed in wafer wraps and disguised as chocolates—into Nigeria. The illicit consignment weighed 11 kilograms.

    He said the class A drug was discovered in Neetu’s luggage after a thorough search at the arrival hall of the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano, based on processed credible intelligence.

    “The arrest took place on March 14, during the inward clearance of Qatar Airways flight QR1431 from Bangkok, Thailand, via Vietnam and Doha.

    “She was subsequently arraigned in charge number FHC/KN/CR/65/2025 before Justice Amobeda, who eventually sentenced her to 10 years on two counts with an option of N2 million fine,”he said.

    In like manner, a 42-year-old Angolan businessman Mbala Abuba was convicted and sentenced to five years in prison by Justice Mohammed Yunusa of a Federal High Court in Kano.

    Babafemi said that the conviction followed his arrest and arraignment by NDLEA for ingesting 120 pellets of cocaine weighing 1.829 kilograms.

    “Abuba, who is from the Zaire province in Angola was arrested on Feb. 25 at the screening point of the Kano airport while trying to board Egypt Air flight MS 880 to Istanbul, Turkey via Cairo,”he said..

    He further said a Federal High Court in Enugu, similarly convicted another drug trafficker,  Eze Ikenna on two counts of unlawful trafficking and possession of 11.20 kilograms of cocaine, brought against him by the NDLEA in charge number FHC/EN/CS/9/2023.

    Babafemi said that the suspect was arrested on Jan. 20, 2023 by NDLEA operatives at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.

    This, he said was upon arrival from Brazil via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia with 11.20 kilograms of cocaine concealed in herbal tea sachets.

    “He was subsequently arraigned before Justice M. G. Umar of the Federal High Court, Enugu, who eventually sentenced him to three years imprisonment on each count, totalling six years.

    “The sentence will run concurrently, effective from May 20, 2023,”he added.

    Reacting to the conviction and forfeiture court judgements, NDELA Chairman, Brig.- Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd) commended the various commands of the agency, their officers and men that handled the various cases.

  • NDLEA uncovers Loud consignments in processed food cans from Canada

    NDLEA uncovers Loud consignments in processed food cans from Canada

    ..uncovers Colos in moimoi sachets, nabs Chinese bizman, 80-yr-old grandma
    others in Lagos, Cross River, Edo, Ondo, Nasarawa, Borno, Niger, Ogun, Gombe, Kaduna, Kogi raids

    A Chinese businessman Liang Tak You and an 80-year-old grandma Mrs. Grace Ekpeme top the list of arrests made by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in nationwide interdiction operations leading to the seizure of consignments of Colorado, a synthetic strain of cannabis hidden in moimoi sachets and Canadian Loud, another strong strain of cannabis concealed in canned food items imported from Canada.

    Liang was arrested by NDLEA operatives at the arrival hall of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja Lagos on Friday 25th July 2025 based on actionable intelligence. The suspect, who arrived Nigeria from Bangkok via Dubai, UAE, on Emirates Airline flight, is a Chinese national, naturalised and based in Malaysia, but flew to Thailand where he picked two suitcases filled with 50 parcels of Loud weighing 26.10kg before heading to Nigeria via UAE.

    Upon his arrival at the Lagos airport, NDLEA operatives who were tracking his movement from his port of departure allowed him to pass through necessary protocols before picking him up on his way out of the airport. The octogenarian grandma Mrs. Grace Ekpeme was arrested at Edet-Nsa street, Base Site, Calabar South, Cross River state with over 3kg skunk in the early hours of Saturday 26th July following intelligence on her drug dealing activities.

    In Lagos, NDLEA operatives on Wednesday 23rd July intercepted a suspect Chidi Agbafo along Epe – Ajah expressway while taking consignments of 21.7kg Colorado, some of which were packaged in moimoi cooking sachets and 3.8litres of codeine based syrub in a commercial bus to deliver in Warri and Oghara, Delta state.

    At the Apapa seaport in Lagos, a total of 101kg Canadian Loud factory packed in 202 tins of imported food item labelled ‘Bean Salad Mix’ and concealed in two Toyota Sienna buses in a container that came from Canada, were recovered. The discovery was made during a joint examination of the container by NDLEA officers, men of Customs Service and other security agencies on Friday 25th July.

    No fewer than 71,000 pills of tramadol, diazepam and exol-5 were recovered from Usman Musa by NDLEA operatives on patrol along Abuja- Kaduna highway on Wednesday 23rd July when the suspect was travelling with the consignment of opioids in a commercial bus going to Kano.

    In Borno, a 30-year-old lady Binta Usman was on Wednesday 23rd July arrested by NDLEA officers who recovered 30.1kg skunk from her house at Muna Moforo area of Maiduguri.

    A follow up operation later led to the arrest of her accomplice Bala Abdullahi in the same area of the Borno state capital on Friday 25th July.

    Three brothers: Nanna Ozirinye, Chizom Ozirinye and Maxwell Ozirinye were on Saturday 26th July arrested when NDLEA operatives raided a cannabis plantation at bending corner forest, Idoani, Ose local council area of Ondo State where they destroyed 2,500 kilograms of skunk on an hectare of land and recovered already processed 121.4kg of same psychoactive substance.

    In Edo state, NDLEA officers on Wednesday 23rd July raided the Asakpa community in Benin city, where they arrested a 26-year-old lady Bright Sunday Okon and recovered various quantities of Colorado, Loud, Arizona and skunk, all strains of cannabis as well as Methamphetamine from her.

    While a total of 105.4kg skunk was recovered by NDLEA operatives from an abandoned Honda car marked ABC 204 KM in Keffi, Nasarawa state, their counterparts in Niger state on Monday 21st July arrested a suspect Bashir Abdullahi with 6,400 pills of tramadol 225mg at Kasuwan Gwari area of Minna, even as a notorious drug dealer Jamiu Omolaja was taken into custody and 113kg skunk retrieved from his enclave in Ifo, Ogun state on Thursday 24th July after a violent resistance and attack on NDLEA operatives by members of his gang.

    A total of 10,910 capsules of tramadol were seized from a suspect Adamu Adamu (a.k.a Dankyado) by NDLEA officers on patrol along Gombe-Bajoga road, Gombe state on Saturday 26th July, while operatives in Kogi state on Thursday 24th July intercepted a consignment of skunk concealed inside garri, dried scent leaves, and other food items along Okene-Lokoja highway. A follow-up operation in Abuja led to the arrest of 27-year-old Kindness Bala who was planning to travel to Katsina state with the cargo and later to Qatar. Similarly, operatives in Kogi on Saturday 26th July recovered 23,600 pills of tramadol, 300 ampoules of pentazocine injection and 700 grams of skunk from a truck at a motor park in Ayingba area of the state.

    The War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, social advocacy activities by NDLEA Commands equally continued across the country in the past week. Some of them include: WADA sensitization lecture delivered to students and staff of Komu/Babaode High School, Babaode, Itesiwaju LGA, Oyo state; Beacon Christian Academy, Ngodo, Afikpo LGA, Ebonyi; Government Day Secondary School, Araba, Illela, Sokoto; and Government Junior College, Agege, Lagos; while the Anambra state command of NDLEA paid WADA advocacy visit to the traditional rulers of Awka community, Obi Gibson Nwosu, Ezeuzu 11 and Ukpo community, Igwe Robert Eze, Okofia VI, among others.

    While commending the officers and men of MMIA, Apapa, Lagos, Cross River, Edo, Ondo, Nasarawa, Borno, Niger, Ogun, Gombe, Kaduna and Kogi Commands of the Agency for the arrests and seizures of the past week, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) praised their counterparts in all the commands across the country for pursuing a fair balance between their drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts.