NDLEA Arrests Notorious Kingpin in Delta, Intercepts N7.8bn Opioids in Rivers, Destroys 48,750kg Skunk Across States
A three-year manhunt by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has culminated in the arrest of 36-year-old drug kingpin, Sunday Ibigide, in Asaba, Delta State, even as operatives of the Agency intercepted illicit drugs valued at N7.8 billion at the Port Harcourt Ports Complex, Onne, Rivers State.
Ibigide, notorious for trafficking psychoactive substances, was apprehended alongside his aide, Clement Osuya, 27, on Sunday, 10th August, while attempting to distribute 250 blocks of skunk weighing 138 kilogrammes with his distribution bus.
He had been on the run since March 2022, when he was linked to the seizure of 24.137kg of skunk and 10 grams of molly.
In Rivers State, NDLEA operatives, in a joint operation with the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies, intercepted five containers holding 875,000 bottles of codeine-based syrup worth over N6.1 billion and 3.5 million pills of trodol benzhexol valued at N1.7 billion at the West Africa Container Terminal (WACT), Onne Port, on 13th and 14th August.
The Agency also recorded significant breakthroughs nationwide:
Enugu: Six suspects were arrested during raids on three cannabis farms at Enugu Ezike, where 37,500kg of skunk cultivated on 15 hectares was destroyed.
Additionally, 20,700 pills of tramadol and cocodamol were seized from 53-year-old Emmanuel Ayogu, while two others were caught with 27.6kg of skunk at Enugu New Market.
Taraba: In Sardauna LGA, 11,250kg of skunk was destroyed on 4.5 hectares of farmland. Separately, 29,840 capsules of tramadol were seized from 20-year-old Saleh Babangida at a checkpoint in Wukari.
Kogi: Along the Okene-Lokoja highway, operatives intercepted 337,800 capsules of tramadol from a commercial bus driven by 47-year-old Sulaiman Oyedokun, who was en route to Niger State.
Gombe: A suspect, Sani Mohammed, 32, was arrested with 128,000 capsules of tramadol in Jauro Jatau.
Kaduna: Two suspects were arrested with 22,640 pills of tramadol and rohypnol at Gwargwaje checkpoint in Zaria, while another duo was nabbed with 111.1kg of skunk along Zaria-Kano road.
Kano: NDLEA officers arrested Tahiru Madu Manga, 25, with 16kg of skunk, and Ibrahim Audu, 47, with 76kg at Gadar Tamburawa.
Edo: 432kg of skunk was recovered along Warake-Auchi road in Etsako West, while 130kg was seized from a warehouse in Sobe, Owan West.
Lagos: A 52-year-old woman, Muyibat Mumuni, and her son, Faruk, 25, were arrested in Mushin for storing 149kg of cannabis. Another suspect, Emmanuel Samuel, was caught in Ajah with 8.5kg of Canadian Loud.
Seme (Badagry): At Gbaji checkpoint, 4,320 ampoules of ketamine injection were intercepted from suspect Akeem Adegun.
Beyond enforcement, the Agency intensified its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy, with sensitisation campaigns held in schools, workplaces, and communities nationwide.
Notable visits included former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar in Minna, the Emir of Borgu Kingdom, HRH Alhaji Muhammad Haliru Dantoro, Kitoro IV, in Niger State, the Emir of Lafia, Hon. Justice Sidi Bage Mohammed (Rtd), in Nasarawa State, and the Shehu of Borno, HRH Dr. Abubakar Umar Ibn Garbai Elkanemi, in Maiduguri.
Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), praised the officers and men across Delta, Rivers, Gombe, Kogi, Lagos, Edo, Kano, Taraba, Enugu, Kaduna, and Seme Commands for their commitment, urging them to sustain the Agency’s balanced approach of enforcement and preventive advocacy.
