NDLEA Busts Trans-Border Drug Cartel, Arrests Four in Onitsha, Keffi
…Agency Recovers Multi-Million-Naira Opioids Concealed in Vehicles, Intercepts Meth and Other Substances Across Six States
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have dismantled a trans-border drug trafficking syndicate, arresting four key members and recovering a substantial haul of illicit drugs hidden in specially designed compartments of vehicles.
The breakthrough came after weeks of surveillance by the Directorate of Intelligence in the NDLEA, culminating in the interception of a Sienna bus marked ABJ 452 HG at Nasarawa-Toto Road, Keffi, Nasarawa State at 6 a.m. on Tuesday, 27th January 2025.
Two suspects, Zahradeen Adamu (27) and Abubakar Usman (44), were apprehended while transporting a large consignment of tramadol from Onitsha, Anambra State, en route to Yola, Adamawa State. A second Sienna bus, driven by Abba Usman (48), was also intercepted.
Upon searching the vehicles, operatives uncovered 190,960 pills of tramadol hidden inside specially constructed steel compartments behind the back bumpers and in spaces meant for spare tyres.
Further investigation led to the arrest of the supplier, Kingsley Mbaeri, at his residence on Uga Street, Onitsha, on 29th January. During the operation, two vehicles—a Toyota Corolla (FGG 948 MF) and a Toyota Sienna (GWA 23 HH)—were seized from his compound.
Beyond the trans-border bust, NDLEA operatives conducted several successful drug interdictions across the country:
On 4th February, intelligence officers intercepted a commercial bus from Onitsha at Abaji checkpoint, FCT Abuja. A passenger, Chimezie Henry Ojingwa (32), was arrested with a black bag containing 404.47 grams of methamphetamine, 506.49 grams of Loud (a synthetic strain of cannabis), and 262.32 grams of dimethyl sulfone, a precursor chemical used in meth production. The drugs were cleverly concealed inside motor spare parts.
In Cross River State, operatives on patrol along Ogoja-Abakaliki Road, Yahe, on 13th February intercepted a truck carrying 170,000 pills of tramadol. The driver, Paul Chukwudi (31), was taken into custody.
At the Apapa Seaport in Lagos, NDLEA officers on 11th February discovered 85,400 bottles of codeine-based syrup in a shipping container imported from India.
In Borno State, two suspects, Halilu Isa and Gambo Umaru, were arrested at Bama Road, Maiduguri, on 14th February with 60 compressed blocks of skunk (cannabis) weighing 72kg.
In Ekiti State, operatives raided a notorious drug den at Iloda Street, Ikole-Ekiti, on 11th February, arresting Bala Muhammed (57), Yahaya Adamu (55), and Abdullahi Shehu (30). A total of 83kg of skunk was seized during the operation.
In Lagos, a woman, Samiat Olabisi Yussuf (28), was arrested on 15th February at her Lekki residence. NDLEA operatives recovered 169.5 litres of nitrous oxide (commonly known as laughing gas) and 111 grams of Loud from her home.
In Taraba State, Ibrahim Usman (40) and Solomon James (40) were caught with 132.84kg of skunk. Usman was arrested at Wukari with 88kg of Arizona and Ghana Loud, while James was apprehended at Takanaba, Sabongari, Jalingo LGA, with 44.84kg of the same substances.
Alongside the successful drug seizures, NDLEA commands across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation programmes, engaging various institutions, workplaces, and communities. Advocacy efforts included:
Sensitisation lectures at Government Technical College, Oku, Akwa Ibom; Future Leaders Academy, Kishi, Oyo State; Government Secondary School, Bashire, Sokoto; Ehere Comprehensive School, Ogbor Hill, Abia; Government Day Secondary School, Taura, Jigawa State; and Jesuit College, Agbado Ekiti, Ekiti State.
An awareness programme for married women in purdah at Markaz Umar Bn Khattab Centre, Kano State.
The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), applauded the officers for their dedication, particularly those in the Directorate of Intelligence, Apapa, Cross River, Borno, Ekiti, Taraba, and Lagos Commands.
He also commended their commitment to expanding the WADA initiative, ensuring anti-drug abuse messages reach every corner of the country.
The NDLEA has reaffirmed its commitment to dismantling drug trafficking networks, protecting communities, and sustaining its efforts to curb substance abuse nationwide.
