The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intensified its clampdown on drug traffickers across the country, intercepting illicit substances concealed in surprising ways — from vehicle parts to cosmetics, footwear, and more.
Here’s a rundown of the most significant operations:
NDLEA operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport intercepted 2.60kg of cocaine and 57,420 tramadol pills hidden in 71 vehicle side mirrors heading to Gabon. Three suspects, including a prominent cargo agent, have been arrested.
A Lagos businesswoman, Mrs Nwafor Roseann Nneka, was nabbed for concealing 100g of cocaine and 300g of phenacetine in ladies’ lipsticks destined for Equatorial Guinea. Two cargo agents and her husband, now at large, are also implicated.
Three dispatch riders were caught in Abuja with 149.8g of Canadian Loud, a potent cannabis strain. The arrests occurred during intelligence-led stop-and-search operations in Gwarimpa, Jahi, and Galadimawa.
Two suspects were arrested with 91.1kg of skunk along the Abaji-Gwagwalada expressway, continuing the Agency’s vigilance around Nigeria’s capital.
NDLEA officers arrested Joseph Michael in Mushin with 3.3kg of Colorado, a synthetic variant of cannabis, following intelligence reports.
In a separate operation, Ibrahim Sulaiman was arrested in the Iwaya area of Yaba, Lagos, with 16.5 litres of skuchies, a dangerous drug-laced drink.
Hussein Yusuf, 37, was arrested with 100,000 tramadol capsules at a checkpoint along the Vandeikya-Ogoja road in Benue State.
A warehouse raid in Ekpoma led to the arrest of William Alabi, 44, and the seizure of 233.5kg of skunk.
At Maiduguri Airport, NDLEA intercepted 160 pills of tramadol concealed inside footwears. The suspect, Umar Aminu, 38, was arrested at the arrival hall.
A female suspect, Yahaya Aminat Seyi, was apprehended in Oja Odan, Ogun State, with 7,218 pills of tramadol and other opioids.
In Abraka, Delta State, Benson Izah, 40, was caught with 12.5kg of skunk, 1kg of tramadol, and 14.4 litres of codeine.
NDLEA operatives arrested Chief Emeka Opara (52) and Onuoha Chidinma (25) at Amassoma in Bayelsa State, recovering over 41,700 tramadol capsules from their home and shop.
In Ile-Ogbo, Iwo Town, Kabiru Ayinde, 40, and Roqeeb Adekanmbi, 25, were arrested with 90kg of skunk, 36.3g of methamphetamine, a Toyota bus, and ₦228,200 in cash.
NDLEA also scaled up its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign with sensitisation visits to schools, transport unions, religious centres, and traditional institutions across states including Yobe, Sokoto, Enugu, and Osun.
NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended the various commands for their successes and urged continued commitment to a balanced approach in the war against drug trafficking and abuse nationwide.
