NDLEA Intercepts Massive Opioid Haul in Taraba, Arrests 75-Year-Old Suspect in Ebonyi
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intensified their nationwide crackdown on drug trafficking networks, intercepting large consignments of opioids concealed in building materials in Taraba State and arresting a 75-year-old man in Ebonyi State, alongside several other suspects, including four female drug dealers across Edo, Imo, Kano and Gombe states.
According to the agency, one of the most significant seizures was recorded in Taraba State on Saturday, 6 June 2026, following intelligence that led operatives to a truck transporting building materials from Onitsha in Anambra State to Jalingo. A comprehensive search conducted at the Nukkai Timber Shade in Jalingo uncovered a large cache of illicit drugs hidden beneath the cargo.
A 22-year-old suspect, Buhari Abdullahi, was arrested in connection with the consignment. Recovered from the vehicle were 320,840 capsules of tramadol, 600 ampoules of pentazocine injection, 4,500 tablets of Rohypnol and 299 bottles of codeine-based cough syrup.
In Ebonyi State, NDLEA operatives arrested a 75-year-old man, Okebe Samuel, at Okposi. The suspect was reportedly found with 300 grams of skunk, which investigators said he sold in small sachets to young people within his community.
The anti-narcotics agency also raided a notorious drug enclave at Umulolo in Orlu, Imo State, leading to the arrest of 32-year-old Chioma Okeke. During the operation, officers recovered eight kilograms of skunk.
In Edo State, an extensive operation carried out in known drug hotspots within Benin City on Tuesday, 2 June, resulted in the arrest of four suspected traffickers, including three women.
At Uyosa, Benin City, operatives apprehended two female suspects, Chioma Igba, 24, and Precious Ozomah, 22. They were found in possession of 176 grams of skunk, 65 grams of Loud and five grams of methamphetamine.
Another female suspect, Anita Abraham, 21, was arrested along Agbor Road with 95 grams of Scottish Loud and 329 grams of regular Loud. A male suspect, Henry Okey, 43, was also arrested at Upper Mission, Benin City, where operatives recovered quantities of Loud, Colorado, Swinol and methamphetamine.
In Kano State, NDLEA officers arrested a 19-year-old suspect, Saifullahi Lawan, during an operation carried out on Thursday, 4 June, in the Kafi area of Madobi. The suspect was found with 40 blocks of skunk weighing 38 kilograms.
Similarly, operatives in Gombe State intercepted 28-year-old Ugwu Sabastine Ifebuchi near Dantiti Plaza in the Tumfure area on Monday, 1 June. He was arrested with 15,000 capsules of tramadol.
Beyond enforcement activities, the agency said its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy campaign continued across the country with sensitisation programmes held in schools, including Holiness Foundation Primary School in Saki, Oyo State; Dorras High School, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos State; Ado Girls Secondary School in Onitsha, Anambra State; and Army Day Secondary School in Kano State.
Reacting to the successful operations, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, retired Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa, commended officers and personnel of the Taraba, Ebonyi, Imo, Edo, Kano and Gombe commands for their vigilance and commitment.
Marwa also praised personnel in other commands nationwide for maintaining a balance between efforts aimed at reducing drug supply and those focused on reducing drug demand through public enlightenment campaigns.
He reaffirmed the agency’s determination to dismantle drug trafficking networks across the country, stressing that traffickers would continue to be pursued irrespective of their age, gender or the methods used to conceal illicit substances.
