NDLEA Arrests Turkey-Bound Businessman for Ingesting 120 Wraps of Cocaine, Foils Major Drug Trafficking Operations
In a series of coordinated operations, operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have dismantled multiple drug trafficking networks across Nigeria, intercepting huge consignments of illicit substances and apprehending key traffickers.
Among the significant arrests was that of a 42-year-old Angolan businessman, Mbala Dajou Abuba, who was caught attempting to smuggle a large quantity of cocaine to Istanbul, Turkey.
Abuba, a native of Zaire province in Angola, was apprehended on Tuesday, 25th February 2025, at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) while trying to board Egypt Air flight MS 880 en route to Istanbul via Cairo.
A body scan confirmed that he had ingested illicit substances, prompting NDLEA operatives to place him under observation. Over the course of seven excretions, he expelled 120 wraps of cocaine, weighing 1.829 kilograms.
During interrogation, Abuba claimed he was previously engaged in township delivery services in Angola before venturing into the drug trade.
In another operation, NDLEA operatives thwarted an attempt by Okeke Ebuka Igwe, an auto spare parts dealer, to ship 1.10kg of cocaine concealed inside vehicle propellers to Angola.
Acting on credible intelligence, the agency arrested Igwe at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos, on Monday, 24th February.
The suspect, who operates at ASPANDA Trade Fair Complex in Lagos, admitted to his involvement in the illicit trade.
In a separate operation, NDLEA operatives intercepted a Toyota Sienna bus transporting 5.40kg of cocaine to Owerri, Imo State, on Sunday, 23rd February.
Following weeks of intelligence gathering and surveillance, a special NDLEA operations unit apprehended the suspect, Ezechi Iyke Cyprian, effectively crippling the illicit drug supply chain.
At the Tincan Seaport in Lagos, NDLEA operatives uncovered 128 parcels of Canadian Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, hidden inside two mattresses in the trunk of a Toyota Venza imported from Canada.
The 63.75kg consignment was discovered on Friday, 28th February, during a joint examination of a targeted container (TCNU 1945861) from Montreal, Canada, conducted by NDLEA, Customs, and other security agencies. The consignee, 44-year-old Bamidele Joseph, was immediately arrested and is now in custody.
In a major crackdown on large-scale cannabis cultivation, NDLEA operatives, with military support, raided a 20-hectare farm in Innam-Abbi/Orogun community, Ndokwa West Local Government Area, Delta State, on Thursday, 27th February.
More than 50,000kg of cannabis was destroyed, and five suspects were arrested: Augustine Subaru (45), Ukoba Malachukwu (53), Odalonu Emmanuel (40), Esuabom Macaulay (35), Itoje Safe (54).
Additionally, on Friday, 28th February, NDLEA intercepted a Mercedes Benz truck (AWK 791 ZJ) along the Abraka-Orogun road, leading to the seizure of 1,111kg of skunk hidden in 101 bags.
In Edo State, NDLEA officers, backed by the military, stormed Okpuje community in Owan West Local Government Area on Saturday, 1st March, where they uncovered large warehouses stocked with over 100 jumbo bags of skunk.
The operation led to the seizure of 1,409.5kg of the psychoactive substance and the arrest of: Oikelomen Osere Monday (38) and Glory Iroyo (42).
Several other operations were conducted nationwide:
Oyo State: Michael Omoloki (46) was arrested with 58.5kg of skunk along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
Kwara State: NDLEA operatives arrested Lawali Mohammed, a Beninese national, with 2,980 tramadol tablets and dozens of diazepam pills on Monday, 24th February, at Eiyenkorin Expressway, Ilorin.
Osun State: A suspect, Sunday Ogbu (45), was arrested on Thursday, 27th February, for trafficking 1.05kg of skunk, which was cleverly concealed inside detergent soap and biscuit cartons along the Ibadan-Gbongan Expressway.
Zamfara State: Ayuba Mustapha (30) was nabbed in Tsafe with 24,700 tramadol pills on Sunday, 23rd February.
Borno State: Mustapha Shettima (50) was arrested with 31kg of skunk, 1,000 tramadol pills, and N720,000 in cash along Bama Road, Maiduguri, on Wednesday, 26th February.
Kano State: Adamu Idris (40) was apprehended along Zaria Road, Kano, on Wednesday, 26th February, with 140 blocks of cannabis weighing 73.5kg.
Beyond enforcement, the agency intensified its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign through sensitisation programmes in schools, workplaces, and communities.
Some of the recent educational engagements included: Ansarudeen Junior Secondary School, Ojuelegba, Lagos, Loretto Girls Special Science School, Adazinnukwu, Anambra State, and Tudun Murtala Special Primary School, Nasarawa LGA, Kano State.
Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), praised the officers of MMIA, MAKIA, Special Operations Unit, Tincan, Delta, Edo, Oyo, Kano, Osun, Borno, Zamfara, and Kwara Commands for their remarkable successes.
He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to a balanced approach in reducing both drug supply and demand.
“These relentless efforts show that we are closing in on traffickers and dismantling their networks,” Marwa stated. “We will continue to work tirelessly to protect Nigerians from the dangers of illicit drug abuse and trafficking.”
The NDLEA said it remains steadfast in its mission to curb drug-related crimes, with a firm resolve to ensure that those involved in trafficking and distribution face the full weight of the law.
