NDLEA Seizes N3.4bn Drugs, Arrests Fake Police Officer, Mechanic-Dealer

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted more than 1.3 million pills and capsules of tramadol and other opioids, as well as about 6,000 kilogrammes of cannabis, with a combined estimated street value of over N3.4 billion in a series of operations across several states and the Federal Capital Territory.

The operations, conducted in Lagos, Edo, Niger, Delta, Ondo, Gombe, Imo and the FCT, also led to the arrest of a man accused of impersonating a senior police officer to evade security checks while transporting illicit drugs.

Among the major seizures was the interception of 1,200 parcels of Canadian Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, weighing 603.75kg and valued by the agency at N1.811 billion.

The consignment was discovered at the Tin-Can Island Port, Lagos, following intelligence received by NDLEA operatives about a 40-foot container shipped from Montreal, Canada.

The container, which arrived at the port on September 12, was placed under surveillance before it was subjected to a joint physical examination by NDLEA, the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies on September 16.

According to the agency, the search uncovered 1,200 parcels of Canadian Loud concealed in 31 black jumbo bags loaded inside two Toyota Sienna vehicles within the container.

The seizure formed part of a wider series of operations in which the agency said its operatives disrupted drug trafficking networks and arrested several suspects.

In Delta State, NDLEA operatives arrested a 49-year-old man, Innocent Ekpe, on September 16 along the Benin-Onitsha Expressway in Asaba.

Ekpe was allegedly found with 292.48kg of skunk concealed in a silver Toyota Sienna bus.

Investigations, according to the agency, established that the suspect had allegedly been impersonating a Deputy Superintendent of Police under the name Godwin Emeka.

The agency said he used a forged police identification card to avoid scrutiny at security checkpoints while transporting illicit drug consignments between states. A 39-year-old alleged accomplice, Nduka Joseph, was also arrested alongside him.

In neighbouring Edo State, operatives acting on intelligence raided an auto-repair workshop along Agbor Road, Benin City, where they arrested 45-year-old Matthew Ossai.

The NDLEA alleged that Ossai used the mechanic workshop as a cover for storing illicit drugs.

A total of 48kg of Canadian Loud and 152 grammes of methamphetamine were recovered from the premises, along with a metal box allegedly used to store the substances.

In Niger State, three young men were arrested along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway at Chachi, Tafa Local Government Area.

The suspects, identified as Bashir Usman, 20; Abubakar Nuhu, 18; and Abdulrahman Abdulwahab, 18, were arrested on September 15.

The agency said two locally fabricated AK-47 rifles and a magazine, a locally made pistol with a magazine and nine rounds of 9mm ammunition were recovered from them. The weapons and ammunition were reportedly concealed in a black travel bag.

In another major interception along the Abaji-Abuja highway, NDLEA officers arrested Aminu Isyaku, 23, and Jamilu Habibu, 25, on September 18.

The suspects were allegedly transporting more than 1.1 million assorted tramadol tablets and capsules, alongside codeine syrup, methamphetamine and Exol tablets.

The drugs were concealed in eight sacks and were reportedly being transported from Onitsha, Anambra State, to Mararaba in Nasarawa State.

Lagos also recorded several seizures during the operations. Onyeka Ofor was arrested at his residence in Aguda, Surulere, on September 18, with 48,900 pills of tramadol 225mg.

At a logistics company in the state, NDLEA operatives intercepted seven cartons containing 59kg of cannabis sativa and arrested a suspect identified as Luke Ugokwe.

In a separate operation at Apongbo, 43-year-old Ibrahim Hudu was arrested on September 17 with 998.38kg of nitrous oxide gas.

In Gombe State, the agency recovered 154,480 capsules of tramadol from two suspects arrested in separate operations.

Sabi’u Umar, 27, was arrested in the Barunde area, while Hassana Muhammad, 19, was apprehended at Gombe main market. Both arrests were made on September 18.

In Imo State, a 25-year-old suspect, Ifesinachi Godwin, was arrested along the Owerri-Onitsha Road with 43.85kg of skunk on September 18.

Ondo State also witnessed a major operation targeting cannabis cultivation. Four suspects – Blessing Effiong, Saviour Peter, David Friday Sunday and Ability Peter Sunday – were arrested during a raid on a two-hectare cannabis farm in Ita-Ogbolu forest on September 15.

The NDLEA said its operatives destroyed about 5,000kg of skunk at the farm, while 48kg of dry and fresh cannabis was recovered for use in prosecuting the suspects.

Beyond drug seizures and arrests, the agency said its commands and formations across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaigns during the week.

The activities included awareness lectures for students and staff of St Ferdinand School, Ogbomoso, Oyo State; Unizik Secondary School, Awka, Anambra State; Scholars Nursery and Primary School, Epe, Lagos State; and Government Technical Training School, Jalingo, Taraba State.

The Delta Ports Command also conducted a WADA advocacy visit to His Royal Majesty, King Couple Mackson Oromoni Mobene III, Pere Ama-Okosu of Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Kingdom, Delta State.

Commenting on the operations, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), commended officers and personnel of the Lagos, Tin-Can, Edo, Niger, Delta, Ondo, Gombe, Imo and FCT Commands.

Marwa praised what he described as their professionalism and intelligence-driven approach to drug control operations, urging them and other personnel across the country to sustain the agency’s current approach to combating illicit drugs.

He called for continued efforts that combine enforcement operations with preventive measures such as public sensitisation and community engagement.

The latest operations underline the scale of the NDLEA’s ongoing efforts to disrupt the supply of illicit drugs, particularly cannabis and pharmaceutical opioids, while also targeting trafficking routes and networks operating across state boundaries.