TheNewsGuru

Tag: NDLEA

  • NDLEA impounds US, Saudi Arabia, Poland, Italy-bound cocaine, opioid shipments in prayer beads, others

    NDLEA impounds US, Saudi Arabia, Poland, Italy-bound cocaine, opioid shipments in prayer beads, others

    …nabs 2 suspects; recovers large consignments of skunk, heroin, opioids in Kano, Kwara, Kaduna, Taraba, Abia, Osun, and FCT raids

    Desperate bids by some drug trafficking organisations (DTO) to move illicit consignments such as Cocaine, Tramadol, Loud, Molly and others concealed in prayer beads, packs of board games, female cloths to the United States of America, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Poland, and United Arab Emirates through logistics firms and the Lagos airport have been thwarted by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA.

    At least, two suspects behind some of the aborted missions at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja Lagos have already been arrested. One of them is a 43-year-old businesswoman, Jakpor Egware May who was nabbed at the Gate ‘C’ departure hall of the Lagos airport while attempting to board an Air France flight to Italy on Saturday 8th March 2025.

    When she was searched, 190 parcels of tramadol 225mg and another parcel of skunk, a strain of cannabis, were recovered from her luggage. In her statement, she claimed that she bought the drugs herself, with the intention to resell them in Italy.

    At the export shed of the Lagos airport, NDLEA officers on Tuesday 11th March arrested
    a 60-year-old suspect, Yahaya Fatai Ayinla, while attempting to ship a cargo containing cloths used to conceal 400grams of skunk going to New York, United States of America.

    At some logistics companies in Lagos, efforts by drug traffickers to export over two kilograms of Loud, Molly, Tramadol 365mg, 225mg hidden in Vitamin C bottles and female cloths to the US were frustrated by NDLEA operatives of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation, DOGI. Other shipments of 230grams of cocaine concealed in prayer beads, soles of locally made shoes and packs of board games heading to Saudi Arabia, Poland and UAE were equally intercepted between Monday 10th and Wednesday 12th March.

    In Kano, a total of 727 blocks of compressed skunk weighing 479kg were recovered from a 40-year-old suspect Hassan Haruna who was arrested by NDLEA operatives at Chalawa area of the state on Wednesday 12th March, while no fewer than 58,300 pills of tramadol were intercepted along Kabba-Obajana highway, Kogi state in a commercial bus coming from Lagos enroute Abuja on Tuesday 11th March.
    Raid operations in Kachia, Kaduna state on Thursday 13th March led to the arrest of Idris Hamza, 21, with 4,900 pills of tramadol 225mg seized from him, just as a similar exercise in Hayin Banki area of Kaduna North LGA, on Friday 14th March resulted in the arrest of 25-year-old Aminu Magaji from whom 2,900 tablets of tramadol 225mg were recovered.

    While a total of 40, 200 tablets of tramadol 225mg were recovered from the duo of Olowoko Faruk and Akeem Ridwan along Ilorin – Jebba expressway, Bode Saadu, Kwara state on Friday 14th March, NDLEA operatives equally seized 21,700 capsules of same opioid from a suspect Salisu Usman along Eiyenkorin expressway, Ilorin on Thursday 13th March.
    In Taraba state, NDLEA officers on Friday 14th March arrested Polycarp Adeku, 35, at Bente road, Kurmi LGA, with 15.77Kg skunk, while in Osun state, operatives on Thursday 13th March, intercepted a commercial bus marked SGB 564 YS coming from Idumota, Lagos Island in front of King University, Ode-omu, with a total of 48.7kg Ghanaian Loud, Colorado and Canadian Loud, all strains of cannabis. Not less than nine suspects have been arrested in connection with the seizure in Osogbo and Ile-Ife during follow up operations.

    A 58-year-old suspect Ade Esan (aka Pastor) was on Tuesday 11th March arrested along Gwagwalada expressway, FCT Abuja with 27,800 pills of tramadol 225mg, while another suspect Usman Mohammed, 26, was nabbed same day with various quantities of skunk and cocaine at Wuse zone 3 area of Abuja.

    In Abia state, NDLEA operatives on Saturday 15th March raided the Ntigha community, Isiala-Ngwa North LGA, where a 34-year-old suspect Chinaza Nwogu (aka Young Money) was arrested with 274grams of heroin, 141grams of methamphetamine, 2.931kg of cannabis sativa, 4grams of cocaine and Seven Hundred and Fifty Three Thousand, Fifteen Naira (N753,015.00) monetary exhibit.
    Meanwhile, 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 U.P.E school, Ilara Epe, Lagos; Government Day Secondary School, Jigalambu, Michika, Adamawa state; Agbegi High Grammar School, Dekina, Kogi state; Capital City Secondary School, Awka, Anambra state; and Eso-Obe Comprehensive High School, Ikoro Ekiti, Ekiti state, among others.

    While commending the officers and men of MMIA, DOGI, Kano, Kwara, Kaduna, Taraba, Abia, Osun, and FCT Commands of the Agency for the arrests and seizures, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) stated that their operational successes and those of their compatriots across the country especially their balanced approach to drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts are well appreciated.

  • France commends NDLEA’s anti-narcotics efforts, donates operational equipment

    France commends NDLEA’s anti-narcotics efforts, donates operational equipment

    The French government has commended the operational successes of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, especially in areas of illicit drug control and high rate of prosecution and conviction of offenders.

    The French Ambassador to Nigeria, Marc Fonbaustier gave the commendation while handing over some operational equipment donated by the French government to the agency in Abuja.

    This is contained in a statement by the Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, Mr Femi Babafemi on Friday in Abuja.

    Speaking, the French ambassador to Nigeria noted that the agency had done very well in the fight against illicit drugs and narcotics.

    This, he said included the successful interception of over 57, 792 arrests, 9.9million kilogrames of seizures and 10,572 convictions within a space of four years.

    Fonbaustier added that Nigeria’s records of achievements in the fight against illicit drugs placed the country in a good position for great partnership and collaboration with France.

    “You’re one of the best in the world in terms of fight against illicit drugs and narcotics because of your operational successes.

    “This give NDLEA an edge in terms of arrests, seizures, high rate of convictions and as such we can learn some lessons from you while you learn from us as well,” Fonbaustier said.

    Responding, the NDLEA Chairman, retired, Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa expressed appreciation for the donation of the equipment to NDLEA.

    Marwa  said that Nigeria and France have been good partners especially following the recent state visit by President Bola Tinubu to France.

    He said “the equipment are very important operational tools that will go a long way to enhance our work.”

    The NDLEA boss emphasised earlier requests for special training on investigation and cyber transactions.

    This, he said included support for the Alternative Development Project initiative of the agency aimed at encouraging cannabis growers to embrace alternative crops.

  • Drugs truncating future of young people, PRIMORG, NDLEA warn

    Drugs truncating future of young people, PRIMORG, NDLEA warn

    The Progressive Impact Organization for Community Development, PRIMORG, and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have cautioned Nigerians, particularly youths, against drug abuse, describing it as a threat to their future.

    The warning was handed down to senior students at Government Secondary School, Kubwa, FCT, during a Safe Without Drugs (SWiD) Initiative Campaign organized by PRIMORG on Friday, 7th March 2025.

    PRIMORG uses the project to promote drug demand Reduction in partnership with the NDLEA and the FCT Secondary Education Board.

    PRIMORG’s Executive Director, Okhiria Agbonsuremi, led the call during the sensitization programme, warning nearly 100 students present not to experiment with or touch drugs, as well as befriend anyone who is using any psychoactive substance.

    Agbonsuremi stressed that young people remain the future of Nigeria, but their greatness is under grave threat from drugs, which can truncate their bright future if care is not taken.

    “Adolescence is a time for experimentation. This is where the problem often starts. As young people, you like to experiment a lot, but you must stay away from drugs and other harmful substances.

    “Don’t touch drugs or make friends with anyone who is into it. Drugs will truncate your future, and know that one of the significant things standing against your bright future is drugs.

    “So, students must take the fight against drug abuse seriously because it is a fight for your future,” he said.

    Agbonsuremi explained that enlightenment remains key to the fight against drug abuse while disclosing that PRIMORG’s strategy is to get secondary school students early before the drugs get to them.

    He, however, urged parents and guardians to pay extra attention to their wards and go the extra mile to ensure that the drug scourge is reduced reasonably.

    On his part, NDLEA’s Assistant Superintendent of Narcotics, Ahmed Abdulfatai, elucidated the consequences of abusing drugs or psychoactive substances, cautioning that it is better not to taste drugs at all as a rehabilitation programme for people with an addiction is costly and will make them lose their dignity.

    Abdulfatai revealed that smoking is one of the easiest ways people get hooked on drugs, warning the students that drug abuse will truncate and destroy their future.

    “There are grave consequences for doing drugs. Some of them are physical, psychological, economic, and social. Drug abuse is when you take medications outside a medical prescription and for pleasure.

    So don’t ever start, no matter the attraction. Some will say it will help you read well. It is a lie. He warned that it does not help but gives you a habit that will truncate and destroy your future. “

    Towing the same path, the Principal of the school, Dr. Anderson Kolawole, told the students that it is easy to start abusing drugs but difficult to get out, noting that several talented persons and celebrities have had their careers and lives destroyed by drugs.

    Kolawole warned that drug abuse makes them dependent and an embarrassment to their loved ones. Adding that reliance on rehabilitation is not an escape route once people are hooked on illicit drugs or psychoactive substances.

    “I’ve seen drugs ruin many people – footballers, musicians, and so on. If you are not careful, drug abuse will bring you down.

    “For those relying on rehab, let me tell you that it takes a small thing for it to fail, so there is a slim chance of getting out if you get into drugs.

    “Once you become drug dependent, you won’t recognize yourself, and your family will be ashamed and fed up with you, so why would you want to put yourself in such a situation?

    “Even if it is to wrap ordinary paper and smoking, it is dangerous, so run far away from using psychoactive substances,” he advised.

    Kolawole thanked PRIMORG for organizing the life-saving outreach and lauded NDLEA and other resource persons at the anti-drug campaign. He assured that the school will continue in its efforts to ensure students are aware of the dangers of drug abuse.

  • NDLEA nabs fleeing auto spare parts dealer over 77.50kg cocaine, phenacetin seizure(PHOTOS)

    NDLEA nabs fleeing auto spare parts dealer over 77.50kg cocaine, phenacetin seizure(PHOTOS)

    . Intercepts cannabis candies shipment meant for Lagos kiddies’ shop, nabs suspects; recovers large consignments of opioids, others in Abia, Kano, Benue, Osun, Edo raids

    Barely three weeks after launching a manhunt for him, operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have arrested an automobile spare parts dealer Levi Chidiebele Ubodoeze over a recent attempt to export two kilograms of cocaine concealed in vehicle propellers to Angola.
    Following the seizure of the cocaine consignment at a logistics company in Aspanda, Trade Fair Complex, Ojo area of Lagos on 21st February 2025, swift contacts were made with Angolan authorities who in turn arrested the supposed recipient of the illicit drug in Angola, after which the identity of the sender was unraveled.

    As a result, NDLEA operatives on Thursday 6th March tracked Ubodoeze to his house in Ago palace way area of Isolo, Lagos where he was caught in a KIA Sport Utility Vehicle trying to escape. A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of a large quantity of phenacetin, a cutting agent for cocaine weighing 75.50 kilograms packaged and branded as semolina, while a digital scale used in weighing illicit drugs was recovered from his house.

    In his statement, Ubodoeze admitted dealing in cocaine while selling motor spare parts at Ladipo market, Mushin area of Lagos. He stated that the supposed recipient of the illicit consignment in Angola alerted him the moment he was arrested in Angola hence his bid to evacuate his house and flee from the area shortly before NDLEA officers swooped on him.

    Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives at the import shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja Lagos have intercepted a cargo of cannabis candies imported from the United Kingdom and meant for sale at a Kiddies Mart, located at 46 Ogunlana drive, Surulere, Lagos.

    The consignment was seized on 27th February upon its arrival as a consolidated cargo on Allied Airways. Preliminary field test and subsequent forensic analysis of the candies established that the substance was laced with a strong strain of cannabis. As a result, the recipient of the shipment, Adedamola Taylor, was arrested on Tuesday 4th March after initial arrest of a freight agent.

    In his statement, Adedamola claimed the consignment was sent to him by his UK-based brother Babatunde Alabi, to deliver to one Musurat Lawal, who operates the Kiddies shop owned by Alabi in Surulere area of Lagos. A follow up operation at the shop led to the arrest of Musurat.

    Two suspects: China Michael and Igbo Ekene were arrested on Friday 7th March when their commercial truck was intercepted by NDLEA operatives at Shibiri area of Ojo, Lagos. A search of the vehicle revealed 248 compressed blocks of Ghanaian Loud, a strain of cannabis, weighing 128kg, were concealed in the underbelly of the truck.

    In another interdiction operation in Lagos, three suspects: Osinachi Nwachukwu; Tochukwu Okafor Christian and John Ugochukwu Mbakwe were on Friday 7th March arrested at Mosalasi junction, Mushin, with 301,600 pills of tramadol and other opioids.

    In Kano, 65-year-old Yahaya Haruna was nabbed with 19.2kg skunk along Gadar Tamburawa road on Thursday 6th March while 60-year-old Musa Bello (a.k.a Jajere) was arrested with 212 bottles of codeine-based syrup at Medile, Kumbotso local council area.
    No fewer than 442,594 pills of tramadol and other opioids as well as 1,274 bottles of codeine syrup were recovered by NDLEA operatives who raided the house and warehouse of a 37-year-old suspect, Blessing Okoronkwo at 19 Ubani Street, Aba, Abia state on Tuesday 4th March.
    In Benue state, 50,000 pills of tramadol and exol-5 were recovered from two suspects: Nwaeze Onyeabor, 47, and Tombo Thomas, 23, on Wednesday 5th March when their vehicle was intercepted by NDLEA operatives at Ugbema junction, Katsina Ala area of the state.
    In Osun state, a suspect, Asimiyu Muibi, 50, was arrested on Tuesday 4th March with 162kg skunk at Modakeke, Ife East local government area while 95kg of same substance was recovered from a Toyota Camry car marked KSF 72 GW during a raid in Ede same day.
    A suspect, Etim Esien Stephen, 55, was arrested when NDLEA officers on Wednesday 5th March raided the Amahor community forest, in Igueben area of Edo State where 9,514.625kg skunk was destroyed on 3.805846 hectares of cannabis farm land.
    With the same vigour, 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 sensitisation lecture to students and staff of Model High School, Amaechi, Enugu; Bengy Secondary School, Agege, Lagos; Sunshine Secondary School, Nku Udo Eno, Akwa Ibom; and Government Day Secondary School, Dong, Adamawa state, among others.
    While commending the officers and men of MMIA, Lagos, Kano, Abia, Benue, Osun and Edo Commands of the Agency for the arrests and seizures, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) stated that their operational successes and those of their compatriots across the country especially their balanced approach to drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts are well appreciated.

  • 17years after, NDLEA , nabs drug baron in Lagos over N1.4bn seized illicit drugs – Marwa

    17years after, NDLEA , nabs drug baron in Lagos over N1.4bn seized illicit drugs – Marwa

    . Says his arrest after 17 years in hiding, Interpol red notice on him, an affirmation Nigeria won’t be a safe haven for drug cartels

    After 17 years of hiding in the dark to ship illicit drugs worth billions of naira across the world, the reign of a wanted 59-year-old drug baron Ogbonnaya Kevin Jeff has been brought to a halt following his arrest by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA at his hideout in Ojo area of Lagos.

    Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) who disclosed this at a press briefing in Abuja on Monday 3rd March 2025 detailed how operatives of its Special Operations Unit had been on the trail of Ogbonnaya following an Interpol red notice against him and information from the National Intelligence Service of South Korea.

    According to Marwa: “The major development that warranted this special briefing pertains to the arrest of a drug lord who’s wanted across the world as the leader of an international drug trafficking organisation. I am therefore pleased to announce this significant breakthrough in our efforts to dismantle drug trafficking syndicates operating within the country. As we have said four years ago when we began the reform of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), our prime targets are drug barons and other important figures that organise drug trafficking rings.

    “On Wednesday, 12th February 2025, we achieved that objective in the successful arrest of Ogbonnaya Kevin Jeff, a 59-year-old drug baron. The suspect was arrested at his hideout at No. 3, Ibukunoluwa Taiwo Close, off LASU Road, Lagos. He has been under NDLEA investigation before his arrest. As a result, we have comprehensive intelligence on his activities, and incontrovertible facts that he is a notorious drug lord who recruited young Nigerians as couriers to smuggle illicit substances into the Republic of Korea (South Korea).
    “Our records reveal that many Nigerians apprehended outside the country for drug-related offences were linked to him. Furthermore, we have established that he laundered drug proceeds through the importation of electronics and other goods. Following his arrest, a search of his residence led to the recovery of multiple Nigerian international passports belonging to different individuals, many of which contained Korean visas. Additionally, we recovered some illicit substances in a storehouse at the back of his house.”

    While unmasking the suspect’s leadership role in the drug underworld, the NDLEA boss said “Ogbonnaya Kevin Jeff is not a typical domestic drug baron; he is an international trafficker operating both from Nigeria and abroad. His dossier indicates that he served a one-year prison sentence in the Republic of Korea in 2007 and was deported to Nigeria in 2008. Despite this, he continued his illicit trade, remaining actively involved in drug trafficking operations to the Far East.

    “Presently, he is wanted in the Republic of Korea for multiple drug trafficking offences in collaboration with his accomplices. An INTERPOL Red Notice was issued for his arrest and extradition to the country for offences committed between 2023 and 2024. From a series of interdictions, it has been established that Ogbonnaya Kevin Jeff is the ringleader of a drug trafficking organisation responsible for smuggling narcotics into the People’s Republic of Korea. He has been orchestrating operations remotely by giving instructions to drug mules and domestic suppliers who are members of his syndicate spread across Cameroon, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Liberia and other East and Southern African countries.”

    He further gave insights into what investigations had unearthed about Ogbonnaya’s illicit trade activities. “On 5th October 2023, at a location in Burkina Faso, the suspect dispatched 6,051.06 grams of skunk, concealed in dried chillies and jujube, to a Korean, Kim Dong Wook at a designated address in Jinju City, Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea. The package arrived at Incheon Airport on 19th October 2023 at 07:20 am via Air France.

    “Investigation reveals that while residing in Nigeria, he directed his drug couriers, Santa Elizabeth Pieterse and Carl Yohan Stephan Brisman, to smuggle a total of five kilograms of methamphetamine into South Korea via overseas flights, between December 2023 and April 2024. In recent time alone, he has sent illicit drugs worth over N1.4billion in street value to South Korea.
    “Ogbonnoya maintains another domestic carrier, identified as “Asa”, who delivers for him drug consignments to a warehouse operated by Okori Emmanuel, a Nigerian who is his supply manager in South Korea. As of now, two arrest warrants have been issued against Ogbonnaya by the Seoul Central District Court in January and June 2024. These warrants charge him with importing narcotic drugs in violation of Article 3-7 of South Korea’s Narcotics Control Act, an offence punishable by a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.”
    Marwa assured of NDLEA’s commitment to ensuring that Nigeria does not serve as a base for international drug trafficking operations. “We will continue our relentless fight against illicit drug networks and their financiers, in line with our mandate to safeguard public health and national security. The arrest of Ogbonnaya is therefore an affirmation of our resolve to work with our international partners to ensure no drug baron finds Nigeria a comfort zone to distribute illicit substances within the country or traffic them to other countries.”

  • NDLEA operatives uncover 128 parcels of Canadian Loud hidden in mattresses

    NDLEA operatives uncover 128 parcels of Canadian Loud hidden in mattresses

    … seizes 5.40kg cocaine going to Owerri; intercepts another shipment concealed in motor parts, destroys 52,459kg skunk in Delta, Edo forests

    Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have arrested a 42-year-old Angolan businessman Mbala Dajou Abuba at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano for attempting to traffic a large consignment of cocaine, which he ingested, to Istanbul Turkey.

    Abuba who is from the Zaire province in Angola was arrested on Tuesday 25th February 2025 at the screening point of the Kano airport while trying to board Egypt Air flight MS 880 to Istanbul, Turkey via Cairo. After his body scan result confirmed he ingested illicit drug, he was thereafter placed under excretion observation during which he expelled 120 pellets of cocaine weighing 1.829 kilograms in seven excretions. In his statement, the suspect claimed he was into the business of township delivery services in Angola before delving into the illicit drug trade.

    A similar attempt by an auto spare parts dealer, Okeke Ebuka Igwe, to send two parcels of 1.10kg cocaine concealed in vehicle propellers to Angola through the export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja Lagos, was thwarted by NDLEA operatives who arrested him on Monday 24th February following credible intelligence.

    During an interview with the suspect, he claimed that he is a businessman selling auto parts in ASPANDA, Trade Fair Complex, Ojo area of Lagos.

    The bid by another suspect, Ezechi Iyke Cyprian to move a large consignment of cocaine weighing 5.40 kilograms to Owerri, Imo state in his Toyota Sienna bus on Sunday 23rd February was frustrated by operatives of a special operations unit of NDLEA who arrested him following weeks of intelligence and surveillance.

    At the Tincan seaport in Lagos, NDLEA operatives on Friday 28th February discovered a total of 128 parcels of Canadian Loud, a strong strain of cannabis concealed in two matrasses in the trunk of a Toyota Venza car imported from Canada.

    The discovery of the 63.75kg consignment was made during a joint examination of a targeted container marked TCNU 1945861 from Montreal, Canada, by NDLEA, Customs and other security agencies. The consignee of the shipment, 44-year-old Bamidele Joseph has been arrested and taken into custody.

    In Delta state, NDLEA operatives supported by the military on Thursday 27th February stormed a forest in Innam-Abbi/Orogun community, Ndokwa West local government area where they destroyed over 50,000kg cannabis on a 20-hectare farm land. Five suspects arrested during the raid include: Augustine Subaru, 45; Ukoba Malachukwu, 53; Odalonu Emmanuel, 40; Esuabom Macaulay, 35; and Itoje Safe, 54.

    In another operation in Delta, NDLEA operatives on Friday 28th February intercepted a Mercedes Benz truck marked AWK 791 ZJ along Abraka-Orogun road.

    A search of the truck led to the recovery of 101 bags of skunk with a total weight of 1,111kg.
    In Edo state, NDLEA officers supported by the military on Saturday 1st March raided the Okpuje community in Owan West LGA where they destroyed over 100 jumbo bags of skunk in warehouses and recovered a total of 1,409.5kg of the psychoactive substance for the prosecution of arrested suspects: Oikelomen Osere Monday, 38 and Glory Iroyo, 42.

    While a suspect, Michael Omoloki, 46, was arrested with 58.5 kilograms of skunk at the Ibadan end of the Lagos -Ibadan expressway, Oyo state, operatives in Kwara state on Monday 24th February nabbed a Beninoise Lawali Mohammed with 2,980 tablets of tramadol and dozens of diazepam pills at Eiyenkorin expressway, Ilorin.
    In Osun, NDLEA operatives on patrol along Ibadan/ Gbongan expressway on Thursday 27th February intercepted a consignment of 1.05kg skunk concealed in detergent soap and biscuit carton, while Sunday Ogbu, 45, was arrested in connection with the seizure. A suspect Ayuba Mustapha, 30, was arrested at Tsafe, Zamfara state with 24,700 pills of tramadol on Sunday 23rd February.

    In Borno state, Mustapha Shettima, 50, was arrested by NDLEA operatives with 31kg skunk, 1,000 pills of tramadol and N720,000 monetary exhibit along Bama road, Maiduguri on Wednesday 26th February, while Adamu Idris, 40, was nabbed along Zaria road, Kano, same day with 140 blocks of cannabis weighing 73.5kg.
    With the same vigour, 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 Ansarudeen Junior Secondary School, Ojuelegba, Lagos; Loretto Girls Special Science School, Adazinnukwu, Anambra state and Tudun Murtala Special Primary School, Nasarawa LGA, kano state, among others.

    While commending the officers and men of MMIA, MAKIA, SOU, Tincan, Delta, Edo, Oyo, Kano, Osun, Borno, Zamfara and Kwara Commands of the Agency for the arrests and seizures, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) stated that their operational successes and those of their compatriots across the country especially their balanced approach to drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts are well appreciated.

  • NDLEA destroys 25 tonnes of illicit drugs in Kogi

    NDLEA destroys 25 tonnes of illicit drugs in Kogi

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), on Wednesday, publicly destroyed 25 tonnes of seized hard drugs in Kogi Stste.

    The NDLEA Chairman, Retired Brig.- Gen. Mohammed Marwa, who made the disclosure during the exercise held near Confluence Beach Hotel, Ganaja Village in Lokoja, described it as “very satisfactory.”

    Marwa, representated by the Director of General Operation and Investigation, Alhaji Suleiman Ahmed-Ningi, said, “the 25 tonne set ablaze were assorted drugs recovered from those that resolved to destroy our youths – men and women.”

    “This is because the recovered drugs were intended to be sold to the public, thereby causing damage to their health and to increase the rates of crimes and criminality in our society.

    “There is no doubt that there is a symbiotic relationship between the quantities of drugs being abused and the high rate of crime and criminality in our families, communities, states and country at large.

    “To avert these fatal consequences is the reason behind NDLEA’s robust operational activities in general and particularly Kogi State Command, leading to these huge drug seizures amounting to 25 tonnes that would go up in flames today.”

    In his remarks, Gov Ahmed Ododo of Kogi State, commended the tireless efforts and commitment of the personnel of NDLEA in fighting the drug war in the country and kogi in particular.

    Ododo, who spoke through the State Security Adviser, Retired Commodore Jerry Omodara, urged the agency to strengthen the war against hard drug by employing more personnel in the state.

    The governor described Kogi as the gateway through which dangerous drugs passes enroute both the Northern and Southern parts of the country.

    He pledged more collaboration with the agency to ensure that the wings of drug abusers and traffickers are clipped

    Earlier, the NDLEA Commander in Kogi, Alhaji Umar Yahuza, thanked the chairman of the agency and Gov. Ododo for their support to the command in its fight against illicit drugs in the state

    Yahuza explained that the 25 tonnes of drugs destroyed included Cannabis Sativa, Tramadol, Diazepam, Methamphetamine, Rohypnol, Cocaine, Codeine and many more.

    He called on the general public to join the agency in the drug war, stressing that the agency alone could not do it.

  • Thai lady arrested at Lagos airport with boxes of illicit drug consignments

    Thai lady arrested at Lagos airport with boxes of illicit drug consignments

    . As NDLEA intercepts UK-bound drug shipments concealed in walls of crated cartons

    Attempt by a 24-year-old Thai lady, Ms. Pattaphi Wimonnat, to smuggle 43 parcels of Canadian Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, weighing 46.60 kilograms into Nigeria through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja Lagos has been thwarted by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, who arrested her after discovering the illicit consignment in her boxes.
    The suspect who confessed to being a hired drug trafficker was arrested on Thursday 20th February 2025 during the inward clearance of passengers on Qatar Airways flight from Thailand via Doha, Qatar at the arrival hall, terminal 2 of the Lagos airport. She said the drug cartel, which recruited her promised to pay her $3,000 upon successful delivery of the illicit drug consignment in Nigeria.
    Another bid by a drug trafficking syndicate to ship 68 parcels of Ghanaian Loud with a total weight of 42.2kg concealed in walls of crated cartons to London, UK, through the export shed of the Lagos airport was also frustrated by NDLEA officers on Friday 21st February. Three suspects: a freight agent and two dispatch riders were initially arrested in connection with the seizure before the mastermind of the shipment, Samuel Bitris, was swiftly traced to his Exodus Estate, Ajah, Lagos home where he was arrested.
    At the Port Harcourt Port Complex, Onne, Rivers state, NDLEA officers on Thursday 20th February intercepted 49 cartons containing 49,000 pills of tamol, a brand of tramadol 225mg in a 40ft container during a joint examination of the shipment with men of Customs Service and other security agencies.
    In Nasarawa state, NDLEA operatives on Saturday 22nd February arrested two suspects: Bello Adamu, 40, and Pius Azuka, 42 at Kokona/Keffi with 517kg of skunk, while two other suspects: Usman Ruwa, 43, and Yunusa Haruna, 45, were nabbed in a Toyota Corolla car conveying 62.7 kilograms of skunk along Sabon Asibiti road Kontagora, Niger state on Thursday 20th February.
    With the same vigour, 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 sensitisation lecture to students and staff of Maku Grammar School, Tapa, Oyo state; Comprehensive Secondary School, Orogwe, Imo state; Jama’atu Islamiyya Secondary School, Ankpa, Kogi state; and Owerri-Aba Primary School, Ugwunagba, Imo state, among others.
    While commending the officers and men of MMIA, PHPC, Niger, and Nasarwa Commands of the Agency for the arrests and seizures, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) stated that their operational successes and those of their compatriots across the country especially their balanced approach to drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts are well appreciated.

  • Opioid: NAFDAC, NDLEA respond to BBC’s investigation

    Opioid: NAFDAC, NDLEA respond to BBC’s investigation

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have reacted to the BBC’s investigation on the smuggling of opioids to West Africa.

    They spoke in reaction to a BBC investigation uncovering an Indian pharmaceutical manufacturing unlicensed, addictive opioids and exporting them illegally to West Africa.

    India’s Opioid Kings, a new documentary from the BBC World Service’s award-winning investigations team, was privately screened in Lagos on Thursday and released to the public on Friday.

    NAN recalls that the Federal Government banned tramadol sales without prescription in 2018, but smuggling has persisted, with seizures worth over $100 million in 2023.

    The documentary uncovered a network of illegal drug manufacturers and importers revealing that many opioids, including tramadol, were manufactured in India and smuggled into Nigeria and Ghana.

    It noted that the company based in Mumbai, makes a range of pills that go under different brand names and are packaged to look like legitimate medicines.

    According to the investigation, all contained the same harmful mix of ingredients: tapentadol, a powerful opioid, and carisoprodol, a muscle relaxant so addictive it’s banned in Europe.

    It also highlighted the growing problem of opioid addiction in Nigeria, particularly among youths as well as farmers who use tramadol for physical labour.

    Nigeria, with a population of 225 million people, provided the biggest market for these pills, alongside Ghana.

    Yedunni Adenuga, Director, Narcotics and Controlled Substances, NAFDAC, at the private screening of the investigation, said in spite of stiff controls, illegal drugs often entered Nigeria through porous borders, particularly from neighbouring countries.

    She said: “We have strong regulatory processes in dealing with medicines.

    “First of all, any medicine that has to be imported or locally manufactured has to go through a registration process, we all have our processes.

    “We have a strong regulatory process in Nigeria such that any product, any drug product that has to be consumed in Nigeria has to be registered duly by NAFDAC.

    “Then when we come to narcotics, you also have a strong process.

    “Before you can bring in any narcotic products, you must have a permit to import that product, including tramadol.

    “And then when you bring it in, you still need a permit to clear it through the port of entry.

    “And in Nigeria, the acceptable formulations are formulations of 100 milligrams, and those are for medical purposes.

    “It is highly controlled, but you know that these things find their way into the country because of the porous borders, all around.

    “But we, in NAFDAC, we are committed to ensuring our mandate and that whatever medicines that are being taken by our people are safe.’’

    Responding to the situation, the Chairman of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa, affirmed that opioids are “devastating our youths, our families, it’s in every community in Nigeria.”

    Also, Mr Shaba Mohammed, Director, Investigation and Enforcement, NAFDAC, said that the government was committed to combating this issue and ensuring that unregistered drugs were intercepted and managed effectively.

    The BBC Eye Investigation: India’s Opioid Kings is available in the United Kingdom on BBC iPlayer from Feb. 21.

    International audiences can watch the film on the BBC Africa YouTube channel and read the story on the BBC News website – via bbc.co.uk in the United Kingdom and internationally – on BBC.com, BBC Studios’ global digital news platform.

  • NDLEA busts trans-border drug cartel, nabs 4 members in Onitsha, Keffi

    NDLEA busts trans-border drug cartel, nabs 4 members in Onitsha, Keffi

    . Recovers multi-million-naira opioids from Sienna bus bumper, meth in auto spare part, others in Anambra, Cross River, Nasarawa, Taraba, Ekiti, Lagos interdictions

    Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have busted a trans-border drug trafficking syndicate, arresting four members in intelligence-led operations during which multi-million-naira worth of tramadol pills concealed in the bumper and false bottom of sienna buses heading to border towns were recovered.

    Following weeks of intelligence and surveillance operations by operatives of the Directorate of Intelligence in NDLEA, a Sienna bus marked ABJ 452 HG was intercepted at Nasarawa- Toto road, Keffi, Nasarawa state on Tuesday 27th January 2025 at 6am.

    Two suspects: Zahradeen Adamu, 27 and Abubakar Usman, 44, were arrested in the vehicle coming from Onitsha, Anambra state enroute Yola, Adamawa state. A second Sienna bus driven by Abba Usman, 48, was also intercepted.

    During a search of the two vehicles, specially constructed steel compartments were discovered after the removal of the back bumper where a total of 190, 960 pills of tramadol were concealed and, in the space, designed to house the spare tyre of the vehicles.
    Investigations revealed that an Onitsha, Anambra state-based dealer, Kingsley Mbaeri was the supplier of the seized tramadol consignment. A swift follow up operation led to the arrest of Mbaeri at his Uga Street, Onitsha home on 29th January. Two vehicles: a Toyota Corolla car marked FGG 948 MF and a Toyota Sienna bus marked GWA 23 HH were recovered from his house.
    In another interdiction, operatives of the Intelligence Department intercepted a commercial bus coming from Onitsha, Anambra State at Abaji checkpoint, FCT Abuja on 4th February.

    A passenger in the bus, Chimezie Henry Ojingwa, 32, carrying motor spare parts in a black bag was arrested.

    When his bag was searched, 404.47grams of methamphetamine; 506.49grams of Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis and 262.32grams of dimethyl sulfone, a precursor substance for mixing meth, all of which were concealed in the motor parts were recovered.

    In Cross River state, NDLEA officers on patrol along Ogoja -Abakaliki road, Yahe, on Thursday 13th February intercepted 170,000 pills of tramadol in a truck driven by Paul Chukwudi, 31, while operatives at the Apapa seaport in Lagos on Tuesday 11th February recovered 85,400 bottles of codeine-based syrup in a container imported from India.
    Two suspects: Halilu Isa and Gambo Umaru were nabbed at Bama road, Maiduguri, Borno state on Friday 14th February with 60 compressed blocks of skunk, a strain of cannabis, weighing 72kg, while NDLEA operatives in Ekiti state on Tuesday 11th February raided

    A notorious drug joint at Iloda street, Ikole-Ekiti where they arrested three suspects:
    Bala Muhammed, 57; Yahaya Adamu, 55, and Abdullahi Shehu, 30. A total of 83 kilograms of skunk were recovered from them.

    In Lagos, 28-year-old Samiat Olabisi Yussuf was on Saturday 15th February arrested by operatives during a raid of her Lekki home where 169.5 litres of nitrous oxide popularly known as laughing gas and 111grams of Loud were recovered. Not less than 132.84 kilograms of skunk were recovered from two suspects: Ibrahim Usman, 40, and Solomon James, 40, in Taraba.

    While Usman was nabbed with 88kg of Arizona and Ghana Loud at Wukari, James was arrested with 44.84kg of same substance at Takanaba, Sabongari, in Jalingo LGA.
    Meanwhile, across the country, NDLEA Commands continued their War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, sensitization lectures and advocacy visits to worship centres, schools, workplaces, palaces of traditional rulers and communities all through the past week. Instances include: WADA sensitization lecture to students and staff of Government Technical College, Oku, Akwa Ibom; Future Leaders Academy, Kishi, Oyo state; Government Secondary School, Bashire, Sokoto; Ehere Comprehensive School, Ogbor Hill, Abia; Government Day Secondary School, Taura, Jigawa state; and Jesuit College, Agbado Ekiti, Ekiti state; while Kano state command of NDLEA conducted WADA enlightenment lecture for married women in purdah at Markaz Umar Bn Khattab Centre, Kano, among others.

    While commending the officers and men of Directorate of Intelligence, Apapa, Cross River, Borno, Ekiti, Taraba, and Lagos 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) also applauded their compatriots in all the commands across the country for intensifying the WADA sensitization lectures and advocacy messages to every part of their areas of responsibility.