NDLEA Arrests Wanted Drug Kingpin, Uncovers Cocaine, Loud Hidden in Microwaves, Lipsticks
…Destroys 28,000kg Cannabis in Edo Forest, Recovers 722,875 Opioid Pills in Multiple Raids
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted hard drugs ingeniously concealed in consumer goods, arrested a long-wanted drug kingpin, destroyed massive cannabis farms in Edo State, and recovered nearly three-quarters of a million pills of opioids during multiple raids.
At the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Ikeja, Lagos, operatives of the NDLEA made a startling discovery on Monday 7th July 2025 — 23 parcels of Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, weighing 11.3kg and hidden inside microwaves.
The microwaves were part of a consolidated cargo that arrived aboard an Ethiopian Airlines flight from Bangkok, Thailand via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Acting on credible intelligence, the agency subjected the cargo to a meticulous search, leading to the arrest of one Ezenwegbu Chike in connection with the illicit consignment.
Just days earlier, another drug interception was recorded at the airport’s export shed. A consignment of cocaine ingeniously embedded in ladies’ lipsticks was seized.
The lipsticks, concealed among hair attachments, face powder, and similar cosmetic items, were destined for Malabo, Guinea. Upon dismantling the lipsticks, NDLEA officers uncovered 400 grams of cocaine and phenacetine, a dangerous cocaine adulterant.
Investigations led to the arrest of a businessman, Ezeikwelume Prince Afam, at the Trade Fair Complex in the Ojo area of Lagos on Friday 11th July.
The NDLEA also confirmed the dramatic arrest of one of the nation’s most elusive drug barons, Okechukwu Izugha, also known as “Okey Omeogo”. After 12 months in hiding, Izugha was apprehended on Wednesday 9th July at his wife’s shop in Ijesha Market, Lagos, by operatives of the NDLEA’s Special Operations Unit.
His arrest follows a 2024 investigation which began when 9kg of cocaine was found with a courier en route to the South-East. Subsequent investigation linked the consignment to Izugha.
His wife, Maureen Izugha, was previously arrested in January 2025 with 500 grams of cocaine and had since been convicted and sentenced to two years in prison.
Meanwhile, in Edo State, NDLEA officers destroyed a staggering 28,054.053 kilograms of skunk — a local strain of cannabis — found on three farms spanning over 11 hectares in Ewere Uzebba forest, Owan West Local Government Area, on Tuesday 8th July.
Additionally, 82kg of processed cannabis was recovered. As the operatives exited the area, they came under fire from armed cartel members but managed to repel the attack without casualties, though one of their vehicles sustained bullet damage.
Further in Lagos, a Ford delivery truck with registration JJJ 698 YJ was intercepted at Okun-Ajah Beach with 1,400 compressed blocks of Ghana Loud, weighing 700kg.
On the same day, NDLEA operatives along the Ajah-Epe Expressway arrested two suspects, Innocent Ejidiobo and Friday Paul, in possession of 26kg of Ghana Loud, 123 grams of methamphetamine, and 45 grams of Molly, along with their delivery vehicle.
Across the northern regions, the crackdown continued. In Borno State, on Saturday 12th July, operatives arrested Godwin Chimaobi Nwaobi, 42, with 18,759 ampoules of pentazocine, along with tramadol and rohypnol. Days earlier, another suspect, Abdulrahman Bello Ahmadu, 34, was caught with 10,000 tramadol pills.
In Gombe State, five suspects were arrested between Tuesday 8th and Saturday 12th July at the Gombe main market and along the Gombe-Kano road.
The operatives recovered 116,226 pills of tramadol and D-5 from Hafiz Bello (22), Isah Suleman (48), Kabiru Muhammed (30), Abdullahi Adamu (30), and Abel Murna (25).
Kogi State also saw an arrest on Thursday 10th July when Sabiu Bala was intercepted along the Okene-Lokoja expressway with 316.6kg of skunk. In Kaduna State, Haladu Suleiman, 38, was nabbed in Gubuchi, Ikara LGA, with 58.805kg of the same substance.
In Taraba State, three suspects — Auwal Ibrahim (30), Lukman Ibrahim (18), and Hamza Adamu (25) — were arrested at Lanka Viri checkpoint on Tuesday 8th July. They were found transporting 577,890 opioid pills and 1.160kg of skunk, cleverly hidden in a petrol tanker marked MUB 334 YH.
In Kano State, NDLEA officers arrested Shamsudini Abdullahi (35), Adamu Abdullahi (21), and Magaji Rabo (26) on Wednesday 9th July with 48.1kg of skunk in the Janguza barracks area.
Parallel to these enforcement actions, NDLEA intensified its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign with sensitisation lectures delivered at various institutions across Nigeria.
Among the beneficiaries were students and staff of Word of Promise High School in Calabar, Government Girls Arabic Senior Secondary School in Wudil, Community Secondary School in Umundu, Okemagba Senior High School in Epe, and Bishop Gideon Otubelu Memorial College in Anambra. Traditional rulers in Bende, Abia State, were also engaged in advocacy efforts.
Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended the gallant officers and men of the MMIA, Special Operations Unit, and NDLEA Commands in Edo, Lagos, Taraba, Kano, Kogi, Gombe, Borno, and Kaduna States for their diligence and bravery.
He further lauded all NDLEA Commands nationwide for maintaining a commendable balance between drug supply reduction and demand reduction initiatives.
