The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intensified its nationwide crackdown on drug trafficking, intercepting more than 2.3 tonnes of illicit and restricted substances in a series of operations across eight states, including Lagos, Kano, Delta, Plateau, Edo, Ondo, Kaduna and Bayelsa.
The operations also uncovered elaborate concealment methods used by suspected drug traffickers, with illicit substances hidden inside commercial music speakers and loaves of bread, while multiple UK-linked shipments of synthetic cannabis popularly known as ‘Colos’ were intercepted.
At least several suspects were arrested in connection with the operations, including a 70-year-old woman, a real estate agent, a tour agent and other alleged members of trafficking networks.
The crackdown began at the import shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos, where NDLEA operatives intercepted a consolidated cargo containing 27 parcels of ‘Colos’ weighing 32.20kg.
According to a statement issued on Sunday by the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, a real estate agent, Abideen Jide Salami, was arrested after allegedly arriving with a secret collection code reportedly relayed by his brother based in the United Kingdom to collect the drug-laden consignment.
A follow-up operation uncovered another UK-linked pipeline, leading to the arrest of 44-year-old Nurudeen Abiodun Kadiri, who was allegedly designated to receive a separate 12.25kg shipment of Colorado. He reportedly told investigators that the consignment was also sent by his brother in the UK.
In another operation in Lagos, operatives of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation (DOGI) intercepted a commercial music speaker at Maza Maza containing three packs of ‘Colos’.
The consignment was allegedly being moved through a West African transit route to Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, before its intended final delivery in Liberia.
An undercover operation at a nearby restaurant subsequently led to the arrest of 41-year-old tour agent Ifeanyi Obed Augustine and the alleged owner of the consignment, 46-year-old Obasi Ugochukwu.
At Iddo Park, Lagos, NDLEA operatives also intercepted Ifeanyi Nwokolo Henry while allegedly attempting to dispatch 2.1kg of ‘Colos’ to Kano.
In Delta State, twin operations in Ughelli and Asaba resulted in the seizure of large quantities of restricted pharmaceutical substances, including pentazocine injections, codeine syrup, tramadol, diazepam, hypnox and Molly.
Some of the substances were allegedly concealed inside music speakers. Suspects Emeka Oji and Chukwuebuka Anedi were arrested in connection with the seizures.
Kano State also recorded major interceptions. In Sabon Gari, 20-year-old Saidu Adamu was arrested with 785,000 capsules of pregabalin weighing more than 669kg.
In another operation along the Zaria–Kano–Hadejia road, NDLEA operatives seized 1,700 tablets of diazepam allegedly concealed inside loaves of bread. A 28-year-old suspect, Habibu Sabitu, was arrested.
In Plateau State, operatives at Katako Market, Jos, intercepted 51-year-old Chinedu Uzor with 157,100 capsules of tramadol.
Edo State also recorded a major breakthrough in the agency’s campaign against local cannabis cultivation. NDLEA operatives raided plantations in the Usen, Igwe-Oke and Ogboha forests, destroying 4,832.56kg of skunk and arresting 39-year-old Sunday Segun at the scene.
In Ondo State, officers acting on credible intelligence raided a residence along Ijoka Road, Akure, where they intercepted 58-year-old Paul Ogbuwala allegedly preparing to transport 186kg of skunk concealed in the boot of a Toyota Avalon. The consignment was reportedly destined for onward distribution in Jos.
In Kaduna State, a female suspect, Hannah Michael, was arrested in Gonin Gora with 369.6kg of cannabis.
Bayelsa State also witnessed the dismantling of an alleged four-member cannabis syndicate during a raid in Yenagoa. Those arrested included 70-year-old Godwoman Gboriye, Motombo Silver, 44; Pere Andrew, 39; and Keme Andrew, 43. Operatives seized 110 bags of cannabis weighing 876kg.
Beyond the seizures and arrests, the NDLEA said its commands and formations across the country continued to sustain grassroots sensitisation under its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative.
The agency said its officers took drug-abuse prevention campaigns into schools, workplaces, communities and religious centres during the week.
In Kano, educational enlightenment lectures were delivered to students and staff of Mezube Islamiyya Academy in Tudun Wada.
The WADA campaign also featured strategic engagements in other parts of the country, including a session with the management of the Cross River State College of Health Technology in Calabar and a visit by the NDLEA Zone 4 Command to the Emir of Keffi, Alhaji Shehu Chindo Yamusa III, in Nasarawa State.
At the NDLEA Academy in Jos, traditional rulers from the Rikkos community also paid a gratitude visit to the agency after local residents were granted access to its medical clinic.
Commending officers of the DOGI, MMIA, Ondo, Edo, Delta, Kaduna, Plateau, Bayelsa and Kano Commands for the operations, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), urged personnel nationwide to sustain the momentum.
Marwa called for a balanced approach to drug-control efforts, charging officers to continue dismantling trafficking networks and shutting down supply pipelines used by drug cartels.
He said the fight must cover every point of entry and distribution, including airports, seaports, land borders and the hinterland where cannabis is cultivated.