NDLEA Intercepts UK Shipments of ‘Colos’, Recovers 2.3 Tonnes of Illicit Drugs Nationwide
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted two shipments of synthetic cannabis, popularly known as Colorado or “Colos”, imported from the United Kingdom, as the agency uncovered several other consignments of illicit drugs concealed in music speakers, loaves of bread and vehicles.
The operations, which were carried out across Lagos, Ondo, Edo, Delta, Kaduna, Plateau, Bayelsa and Kano states, resulted in the arrest of several suspects and the recovery of more than 2.3 tonnes of assorted illicit drugs.
At the import shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos, NDLEA operatives intercepted a UK-bound consolidated cargo containing 27 parcels of Colorado weighing 32.20kg.
A real estate agent, Abideen Jide Salami, was subsequently arrested on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, after he arrived to collect a large luggage containing the illicit substance.
According to the agency, Salami presented a secret collection code allegedly relayed to him by his brother based in the UK. A follow-up investigation into another UK shipment also led to the arrest of Nurudeen Abiodun Kadiri, 44, who was identified as the designated recipient of a consignment containing 12.25kg of Colorado.
Kadiri reportedly told investigators that his brother in the UK sent the consignment to him.
The NDLEA also intercepted consignments of Colorado concealed in music speakers at two Lagos motor parks.
At Maza Maza motor park, a speaker rigged with three packs of Colorado was intercepted. The consignment was reportedly destined for Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, and subsequently Liberia.
A tour agent, Ifeanyi Obed Augustine, 41, and the alleged owner of the consignment, Obasi Ugochuckwu, 46, were arrested during a sting operation at a nearby eatery.
In another operation at Iddo motor park, operatives arrested Ifeanyi Nwokolo Henry on Friday, September 11, while he allegedly attempted to dispatch 2.1kg of Colorado to Kano.
The agency also reported significant seizures of pharmaceutical and other illicit substances in Delta State.
Separate operations in Ughelli and Asaba led to the recovery of ampoules of pentazocine injection, codeine syrup, tramadol, diazepam, flunitrazepam, also known as Hypnox, and MDMA, popularly called Molly. Some of the drugs were reportedly concealed inside music speakers.
Two suspects, Emeka Oji and Chukwuebuka Anedi, were arrested in connection with the seizures.
In Kano, NDLEA operatives conducting a raid in Sabon Gari arrested 20-year-old Saidu Adamu with 785,000 capsules of pregabalin weighing 669.425kg.
The agency also intercepted 1,700 tablets of diazepam concealed inside loaves of bread during a stop-and-search operation along the Zaria-Kano-Hadejia road.
The drugs were allegedly being transported by 28-year-old Habibu Sabitu, who was arrested.
At Katako Market in Jos, Plateau State, another suspect, 51-year-old Chinedu Uzor, was arrested with 157,100 capsules of tramadol. The agency’s operations also targeted cannabis cultivation and distribution.
In Edo State, NDLEA operatives destroyed 4,832.56kg of skunk, a locally produced form of cannabis, on farms located in Usen Forest, Igwe-Oke Forest and Ogboha Forest in Ovia South West, Owan East and Owan West Local Government Areas.
A 39-year-old suspect, Sunday Segun, was arrested during the operations on Friday, September 11.
In Ondo State, officers acting on intelligence raided a residence along Oke-Iya, Ijoka Road, Akure, on Wednesday, September 9.
The operation resulted in the recovery of 186kg of skunk concealed in the boot of a Toyota Avalon car with registration number ABJ 917 FV.
A 58-year-old suspect, Paul Ogbuwala, was arrested. The NDLEA said he was allegedly preparing to move the consignment to Jos for onward distribution.
In Kaduna State, a female suspect, Hannah Michael, was arrested at Gonin Gora with 369.6kg of cannabis.
Bayelsa State also recorded a major seizure after NDLEA operatives arrested four suspects at Ovom, Yenagoa, with 110 bags of cannabis weighing 876kg.
Those arrested were 70-year-old Godwoman Gboriye, Motombo Silver, 44, Pere Andrew, 39, and Keme Andrew, 43.
Beyond interdiction operations, the NDLEA said its commands and formations continued with its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaign in schools, worship centres, workplaces and communities.
Activities during the week included a WADA enlightenment lecture for students and staff of Mezube Islamiyya Academy in Tudun Wada, Kano, an advocacy visit to the management of Cross River State College of Health Technology in Calabar, and an engagement with traditional rulers from Rikkos who visited the NDLEA Academy in Jos to appreciate the agency for allowing community members to use its clinic.
The Zone 4 Command also paid a WADA advocacy visit to the Emir of Keffi, Alhaji Shehu Chindo Yamusa III, in Keffi, Nasarawa State.
Commending the officers involved in the operations, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), urged them to sustain what he described as the agency’s balanced approach to drug control.
Marwa charged officers to continue shutting down the supply routes being exploited by drug cartels.
He said the agency must maintain pressure on criminal networks operating through airports, seaports, land borders and the hinterland, particularly areas where cannabis is cultivated.
The NDLEA said the latest operations reflected its continued effort to disrupt both the importation and domestic distribution of illicit drugs while simultaneously intensifying prevention and public-awareness campaigns.
