The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intensified its nationwide offensive against drug trafficking and related criminal activities, recording a series of coordinated operations that led to the seizure of illicit drugs worth over ₦10 billion, the recovery of 401 rounds of military-grade ammunition and the arrest of several suspected traffickers linked to local and international drug syndicates.
According to an official statement signed by the Director, Media and Advocacy of the NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, the operations, carried out across Lagos, Katsina, Kaduna and Edo states, underscore the agency’s sustained commitment to disrupting transnational drug trafficking networks while supporting broader national security efforts.
Among the major breakthroughs was the arrest of 55-year-old businessman, Onuigbo Ndubisi Chinedu, identified as the alleged kingpin of a cocaine trafficking syndicate attempting to export narcotics to the United Kingdom. Investigations followed the interception of 3.30 kilograms of cocaine concealed inside the walls of cartons containing food items at the export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos. The operation also led to the arrest of three cargo agents and another suspect whose interrogation helped investigators identify and apprehend the alleged mastermind.
In a separate operation, NDLEA operatives arrested 31-year-old entrepreneur Emmanuella Chukwu-Edo after intercepting her consignment of 2.80 kilograms of Canadian Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, which arrived from the United States aboard a United Airlines flight.
The agency also intercepted a shipment containing 2.24 million pills of Tapentadol 250mg valued at over ₦2.2 billion. The opioid consignment, which arrived from India aboard an Air Maroc flight, was uncovered during a joint examination at the Lagos airport based on intelligence processed by NDLEA operatives.
The statement further revealed that officers seized another shipment of tramadol concealed inside containers of black soap destined for the United Kingdom through a Lagos courier company.
At the Apapa Seaport in Lagos, operatives uncovered 2,388.5 kilograms of Canadian Loud concealed inside three vehicles loaded in a container. The 4,777 sachets of the synthetic cannabis have an estimated street value exceeding ₦7.1 billion.
Beyond narcotics enforcement, NDLEA operatives intercepted 401 rounds of military-grade ammunition during separate operations in Katsina and Kaduna states.
At Baure in Safana Local Government Area of Katsina State, operatives arrested 30-year-old Mustapha Sani with 323 rounds of military-grade ammunition, comprising 200 rounds of 7.62mm and 123 rounds of 7.6mm ammunition.
Similarly, another suspect, Abubakar Amadu, was arrested during a stop-and-search operation at Jere along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway after officers discovered 73 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition concealed inside kegs filled with red palm oil. Both suspects have since been handed over to the appropriate security agency for further investigation.
In Edo State, NDLEA operatives raided a warehouse in Ilushi Community, Esan South East Local Government Area, where they recovered 1,286 kilograms of cannabis and 86 kilograms of cannabis seeds. Two additional suspects, Ojore Onweze and George Agwumede, were arrested with 60 kilograms and 13 kilograms of skunk respectively.
The agency also sustained its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign with sensitization programmes in schools and communities across Niger, Kano and Lagos states as part of efforts to reduce drug demand and prevent substance abuse.
Commending officers of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation (DOGI) as well as personnel in the Lagos, Apapa, Edo, Kaduna and Katsina Commands, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), urged operatives to remain resolute in maintaining the agency’s balanced strategy of aggressive drug supply reduction and sustained public enlightenment against drug abuse.
