The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted illicit drugs valued at over N10 billion in a series of coordinated operations across Lagos and other parts of the country, arresting suspected drug kingpins and recovering military-grade ammunition concealed in kegs of palm oil.
The seizures, announced in a statement on Sunday by the agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, include cocaine, synthetic cannabis known as “Loud”, millions of opioid pills, and large consignments of cannabis destined for local and international markets.
One of the major arrests involved 55-year-old businessman Onuigbo Chinedu, a clothing trader at Lagos Island’s Balogun Market, who was identified as the alleged mastermind of an international cocaine trafficking syndicate.
According to the NDLEA, Chinedu was arrested on Thursday after investigators traced him to a failed attempt to export 3.3 kilogrammes of cocaine concealed within the walls of cartons containing food items bound for the United Kingdom. The illicit consignment had been intercepted a day earlier at the export section of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
Investigations initially led to the arrest of three cargo agents—Nkwor Justina, Adeleke Taoheed and Ukanwa Pilgrim—as well as Kenneth Okakpu, who delivered the shipment. Further intelligence linked the operation to Chinedu, who was apprehended while allegedly preparing another cocaine shipment to the UK.
In another breakthrough, NDLEA operatives arrested 31-year-old entrepreneur Emmanuella Chukwu-Edo at her residence in Surulere, Lagos, after intercepting 2.8 kilogrammes of Loud, a potent synthetic cannabis strain, which had arrived from the United States aboard a United Airlines flight.
The agency also recorded one of its largest pharmaceutical drug seizures after recovering 2.24 million pills of Tapentadol 250mg, estimated to be worth more than N2.2 billion, from a shipment originating from India on an Air Maroc flight. The interception followed intelligence processed by the agency.
In a related operation, officers also foiled an attempt to smuggle tramadol to the United Kingdom after discovering the drug hidden inside containers of black soap at a Lagos courier facility.
At the Apapa Seaport, a joint examination uncovered 2,388.5 kilogrammes of Canadian Loud, packed in 4,777 sachets and concealed inside three imported vehicles. The seized consignment is estimated to have a street value exceeding N7.1 billion.
Beyond drug enforcement, NDLEA operatives intercepted military-grade ammunition during separate operations in Katsina and Kaduna states.
In Katsina, Mustapha Sani, 30, was arrested during a patrol in Baure, Safana Local Government Area, with 323 rounds of ammunition, comprising 200 rounds of 7.62mm and 123 rounds of 7.6mm ammunition.
Similarly, Abubakar Amadu, 30, was apprehended along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway with 73 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition concealed inside kegs of red palm oil. Both suspects have been handed over to the appropriate security agencies for further investigation.
In Edo State, NDLEA operatives raided a warehouse in Ilushi community, Esan South-East Local Government Area, recovering 1,286 kilogrammes of cannabis and 86 kilogrammes of cannabis seeds. Two additional suspects were arrested in separate operations with a combined 73 kilogrammes of skunk.
The agency also continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy campaign, conducting sensitisation programmes in schools and communities across Niger, Kano and Lagos states to discourage substance abuse among young people.
Commending officers involved in the operations, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), praised personnel from the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation, Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Apapa, Edo, Kaduna and Katsina Commands for the successful interceptions.
He urged officers nationwide to sustain the agency’s balanced strategy of aggressive drug interdiction alongside preventive education and public awareness as part of Nigeria’s ongoing fight against illicit drug trafficking.
