Tag: The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a convicted drug trafficker, Nwobodo Chidiebere Basil, and three cargo agents following the seizure of cocaine concealed in factory-sealed sachets of liquid starch and bound for the United Kingdom.

The agency said 75 parcels of cocaine weighing 1.50 kilogrammes were recovered at the export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos.

NDLEA’s Director, Media and Advocacy, Mr Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday in Lagos.

According to him, three cargo agents — Jubrin Firdausi Hassana, Kuku Daniel Oluwasegun and Igwe Chioma Jane — were arrested on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, in connection with the attempted exportation of the illicit drugs.

Babafemi said further investigation linked the consignment to Nwobodo, 37, who was arrested the following day at a relaxation centre in Ikeja during a follow-up operation.

“The suspect, a notorious drug trafficker previously convicted in 2023 for trafficking 30.10kg of methamphetamine, has again been arrested following the seizure of 75 parcels of cocaine concealed in factory-sealed sachets of cold-water starch heading to the UK,” he said.

He added that records showed Nwobodo was earlier arrested in May 2023 over a methamphetamine consignment concealed in powdered custard containers destined for London.

Babafemi said the suspect was arraigned before a Federal High Court, Lagos, in Charge No: FHC/L/337C/2023, convicted and sentenced to five years imprisonment with an option of a ₦7 million fine and one-month community service, with effect from Dec. 4, 2023.

“He paid the fine and shortly after returned to the same criminal activity,” Babafemi said.

In related operations, the NDLEA also arrested a 65-year-old driver, Sada’u Mohammed, in Gombe State while transporting 300 ampoules of pentazocine injection and 27,900 tablets of tramadol and other opioids along the Gombe–Biu highway, en route to Biu, Borno State.

The agency further said a 47-year-old businessman, Ignatius Egbochie (alias Brown), was arrested in Lagos over an earlier seizure of 26kg of “Loud” cannabis at the Tincan Island Port.

Babafemi explained that the cannabis consignment, made up of 56 parcels, was seized on Dec. 10, 2025, during a joint container examination involving NDLEA, the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies.

“A follow-up operation by NDLEA operatives on Dec. 19 led to the arrest of Egbochie in Apapa, Lagos,” he said.

The NDLEA spokesman also disclosed that the agency intensified its nationwide offensive against drug trafficking between Dec. 21 and 25, 2025, leading to the destruction of cannabis warehouses and seizure of large quantities of illicit drugs in Ekiti, Edo, Cross River, Abuja, Lagos and Taraba States.

He said NDLEA operatives on Dec. 22 set ablaze cannabis warehouses in Ara Forest, Ara-Ekiti, where 638 kilogrammes of skunk were recovered.

Similarly, 1,205 blocks of compressed cannabis sativa, weighing 883.1kg, were recovered from three Toyota Camry vehicles intercepted along the Igara–Auchi Road in Edo State.

In Cross River State, Babafemi said raid operations at Agoi-Ibami community, Yakurr Local Government Area, led to the arrest of three suspects and the seizure of various quantities of skunk.

The suspects were identified as Freedom Jonah Akpama (27) with 671kg, David Itam David (30) with 89kg, and Nelson Arikpo Osam (26) with 148kg.

Babafemi reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to sustaining pressure on drug trafficking networks across the country and preventing Nigeria from being used as a transit hub for illicit drugs.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has successfully seized 1,396.5 kilograms of narcotics and arrested 150 suspects in Adamawa State in December.

The Commander of NDLEA in Adamawa, Mr. Aliyu Abubakar, disclosed this during a news conference themed: “Expose a Drug Dealer Today: Save the Future of Adamawa Youth” held on Saturday in Yola.

Abubakar stated:
“In the series of coordinated intelligence-driven operations across the state, including at the Airport, we have recorded landmark successes, dismantling drug joints and intercepting deadly
consignment. We seized 353 kg of cannabis sativa, 983 kg of Tramadol, and 60.5 kg of other opioids.”
                                                             He further revealed that NDLEA operatives also seized two vehicles linked to alleged drug offences.

“The command recorded six convictions and currently has 53 pending cases in court, while it counselled and rehabilitated 39 individuals arrested for drug abuse,” Abubakar added.

Other activities undertaken by the command, he noted, included:
Six War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation programmes

Securing the forfeiture of valuables worth N163,170 to the Federal Government

Clearing one hectare of cannabis farmland across villages in Lamurde, Toungo, and Mubi-North Local Government Areas

“The month of December 2025 has been one of the most intensive and productive operational periods in the recent history of this command. We have struck at the very heart of the trade in our state with unprecedented force and precision,” he said.

Abubakar emphasized that the fight against drug abuse requires collective effort and called on traditional and religious leaders to complement the agency’s work by sensitising their communities.

He attributed the successes achieved to the inspirational leadership of retired Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Marwa, Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA:

“His dynamic, result-oriented, and no-nonsense leadership philosophy has re-energised the agency. His clear vision of proactive intelligence has provided the template for our operations.”

The commander also expressed appreciation to Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa for donating two brand-new operational vehicles to the command.

In a related development, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ogun 1 Area Command, intercepted 3,453 parcels of Cannabis sativa with a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N435,078,000 at various locations across the state.

The Area Comptroller, Mr. Oladapo Afeni, disclosed this while handing over the seized drugs to Mr. Olaniyi Ekundayo, Commander, NDLEA, Idiroko Special Area Command.

Afeni explained that the intercepted Cannabis sativa was seized through six intelligence-driven operations conducted between December 4 and Monday across multiple locations.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a suspected supplier of illicit drugs to bandits operating in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State and intercepted several consignments of illicit substances concealed in containers of local black soap and other items.

The suspect, Mohammed Sani, also known as Gamboli, was arrested on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025, at Anguwan Fadama, Kuta, following intelligence-led operations by NDLEA operatives.

NDLEA had earlier raided the suspect’s residence at Anguwan Makera, Kuta, on Nov. 20, where operatives recovered 471.8 kilogrammes of skunk, a strain of cannabis. However, the suspect escaped arrest during the operation.

Confirming the development in a statement on Sunday, the NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Mr Femi Babafemi, said the suspect was tracked and apprehended three weeks later at one of his drug joints.

Babafemi said intelligence reports linked the suspect to the supply of illicit drugs to bandits terrorising communities in Shiroro Local Government Area.

“Three weeks after escaping arrest at his home in Anguwan Makera, Kuta, Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, a notorious supplier of illicit drugs to bandits operating in the area, 33-year-old Mohammed Sani (alias Gamboli), has been arrested by operatives of the NDLEA at his hideout,” Babafemi said.

He explained that NDLEA operatives, acting on processed intelligence, traced the suspect to Anguwan Fadama, Kuta, where he was arrested on Dec. 11.

In a related development, Babafemi said NDLEA operatives intercepted 907 pills of tramadol, tapentadol, cocodamol, amitriptyline and bromazepam concealed in containers of local black soap and designer wear.

According to him, the drugs were found in six different consignments bound for the United States, Canada and Sweden, and were intercepted at two major courier companies in Lagos between Dec. 9 and Dec. 10, 2025.

“No fewer than 907 pills of tramadol, tapentadol, cocodamol, amitriptyline and bromazepam concealed in containers of local black soap and designer wear, in six consignments going to the U.S., Canada and Sweden, were intercepted and seized by NDLEA operatives,” he said.

Babafemi also disclosed that in Abia State, NDLEA operatives raided a clandestine codeine syrup manufacturing factory at Amapu Igbengwo village, Umuakpara, in Osisioma Local Government Area, on Dec. 11.

He said a total of 9,015 bottles of codeine syrup, weighing 1,152.2 kilogrammes, were recovered during the operation.

In Enugu State, Babafemi said operatives arrested one Ossai Emeka, 45, along the Onitsha–Enugu Ezike Road with 7.2 kilogrammes of skunk, while Enoje Agada, 40, was arrested along the Enugu Ezike–Ette Road with 94.6 kilogrammes of the same substance.

In Oyo State, NDLEA operatives raided a drug joint known as “Beere the California” at Ido, Ibadan, on Dec. 11, leading to the seizure of 3.4 kilogrammes of skunk, 1.6 kilogrammes of Colorado (a synthetic cannabis), and 400 grammes of methamphetamine.

Babafemi said the owner of the drug joint, identified as Idowu the Killer, escaped, while a suspect, Ajibade Faruk, was arrested at the scene.

He added that another operation at Idi Oro, Elekuro, Ibadan, on Dec. 12, resulted in the arrest of Olusanya Abosede, 35, and the seizure of 238.4 kilogrammes of skunk.

Similarly, Babafemi said NDLEA operatives arrested Bashiru Babalola, 43, and Ugunwale Ranti, 50, at the Gbaji checkpoint, Seme Road, Badagry, Lagos, on Dec. 10, with 50,000 pills of tramadol.

In Ondo State, NDLEA officers raided a compound in Ogbese, Akure North Local Government Area, where a 55-year-old woman, Veronica Obi, and her 29-year-old son, Bright Obi, were arrested with 1,187 kilogrammes of skunk and cannabis seeds.

In Edo State, Babafemi said Ohiomah Igbafe, 44, was arrested at Uroe community in Owan East Local Government Area with 461 kilogrammes of skunk and its seeds.

He further disclosed that in Gombe State, a suspect, Muhammed Sani (alias Sha-Mu-Sha), 50, was arrested at the Tunfure area with 40,000 capsules of tramadol.

According to him, two other suspects, Muhammad Abdullahi (alias Sakalala), 52, and Muhammed Hamza (alias Mamman), 32, were arrested at Ashaka Jalingo with 56 kilogrammes of skunk on Dec. 8.

At the Apapa Seaport in Lagos, Babafemi said NDLEA officers, on Dec. 13, intercepted a container carrying 170,000 bottles of codeine syrup weighing 23,579 kilogrammes during a joint examination with the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies.

Commending the officers involved in the operations, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, retired Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa, urged personnel across the country to sustain the agency’s balanced approach to drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts.