The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted an India-bound businessman with 1.550kg of cocaine at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, while recovering illicit drugs valued at over N3.6 billion in a series of operations across several states.
The 48-year-old businessman, Nwankwo Innocent Onyebuchi, was arrested at the departure hall of Terminal II of the Lagos airport while attempting to board a Qatar Airways flight to New Delhi, India.
NDLEA operatives discovered the cocaine factory-fitted into the side walls and railings of his check-in bag during a search.
According to an official statement signed by the Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, the suspect, who deals in marbles in Lagos, confessed that he sold his business and other assets to raise N23 million to purchase the consignment, hoping to sell it in India for as much as N100 million.
The agency also recorded a major seizure in Lagos following an intelligence-led raid on a warehouse at Hakeem Dosumu Street, Ago Palace area of Okota, where operatives recovered 3,776 cartons containing 377,600 bottles of codeine-based syrup valued at over N2.6 billion.
The seizure was made between August 7 and 8, 2026.
In another operation in Lagos, NDLEA operatives raided the residence of a 55-year-old suspected drug kingpin, Shoremi Kayode, at Ogundare Street, Ipaja Estate, Ipaja, where 324kg of Colorado, a synthetic strain of cannabis, valued at N972 million, was recovered.
Two vehicles, a Mercedes-Benz and a Toyota Corolla, were also recovered from the suspect.
In Kwara State, NDLEA operatives arrested Abubakar Adamu, 50, and Bilyaminu Nuhu, 30, at Kam Wire area of Ilorin, recovering 55.96kg of skunk from a truck marked DKA 350 XL.
On the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Oyo State, operatives arrested 70-year-old Abdulfatai Oyelaran and Abdulrauf Ajadi, 50, and recovered 52,000 ampoules of pentazocine injection and 6,000 ampoules of tramadol injection from their Toyota Sienna vehicle.
The agency also reported major opioid seizures in Delta State, where 124,100 pills of tramadol, 786 bottles of codeine syrup, 2,598 tablets of rohypnol, 4,800 tablets of diazepam, 470 ampoules of pentazocine injection and 200 ampoules of tramadol injection were recovered from two suspects, Osaro Ikpoba, 43, and Samuel Godbless, 18.
Another suspect, Emeka Tony, 50, was arrested along the Kwale-Ozoro Expressway with 1,244 pieces of cartridges and N8 million cash.
In Plateau State, NDLEA operatives intercepted a Toyota Corolla along the Riyom-Jos Road and recovered 239,490 capsules of Tramaforce, a brand of tramadol, leading to the arrest of Kasum Sherif.
Kano State also recorded significant seizures, with six suspects arrested along the Zaria-Kano Road. They were found in possession of 728,958 pills of tramadol, rohypnol and other opioids, 360g of cocaine, 99.8g of methamphetamine, 50 bottles of codeine syrup and 2.7kg of Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis.
The six suspects are Okodili Ibeabuchi, 60; Onyeka Vincent, 47; Nwanko Wisdom, 36; Success Chigozie, 30; Emmanuel Jude, 27; and Chinedu Peter, 39.
In a separate operation in Kano, operatives raided Zawaciki Gida Dubu in Kumbotso Local Government Area, recovering 171 blocks of skunk weighing 106.8kg and arresting Mustapha Iliya, 30, and Abdulwahab Abdulrashid, 24.
In Edo State, NDLEA operatives destroyed 4,628.9775kg of skunk cultivated on two cannabis farms measuring 1.851591 hectares at Ugboku/Igbanke forest in Orhionmwon Local Government Area. A 40-year-old suspect, Agholor Elebojie, was arrested during the raid.
Another suspect, Kingsley Anigala, 28, was arrested during a raid on drug joints in the Oluku area of Benin City with 25.857kg of Loud and 93g of methamphetamine.
Meanwhile, the NDLEA continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation activities across the country, including lectures for students and staff of Madarasatu Sheikh Muhammad Rabi’u Arabic School in Kano and Olomu Junior Secondary School, Ajah, Lagos.
Commending personnel of the MMIA, Lagos, Kano, Kwara, Edo, Plateau, Oyo and Delta Commands for the operations, NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), also praised officers and men across the country for sustaining efforts to reduce both the supply and demand for illicit drugs.
