From Godwin Tsa, Abuja
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted consignments of cocaine and tramadol 225mg concealed in 71 vehicle side mirrors destined for Libreville, Gabon, at the export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos. At least three suspects linked to the cargo have been arrested in follow-up operations.
The first batch, consisting of 57,420 tramadol 225mg pills and 57 cocaine pellets weighing 1.60kg, was intercepted on an Air Côte d’Ivoire flight to Gabon on Saturday, July 19, 2025. A statement by Femi Babafemi, Director of Media and Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, said cargo agent Ihekweme Osinachi Benedict was arrested immediately, with further investigation leading to the arrest of Uzochukwu Godspower Chukwurah on Sunday, July 20. On Monday, July 21, 11 additional cocaine parcels weighing 1kg were recovered from four side mirrors at Uzochukwu’s home, bringing the total cocaine seized to 68 parcels weighing 2.60kg.
In a related operation, NDLEA operatives arrested businesswoman Mrs. Nwafor Roseann Nneka on Friday, August 1, at her shop in the Trade Fair Complex, Ojo, Lagos, after intercepting 100 grams of cocaine and 300 grams of phenacetine (a cutting agent) concealed in ladies’ lipsticks destined for Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, on July 10, 2025. Two cargo agents linked to the shipment were previously arrested. Nneka admitted to purchasing the lipsticks, while her husband, Remigus Nwafor, who handled the concealment, remains at large.
In Abuja, NDLEA operatives conducted intelligence-led stop-and-search operations in Gwarimpa, Jahi, and Galadimawa on Wednesday, July 30, arresting three dispatch riders—Sabo Sule (24), Samuel Nnamdi (28), and Idris Jibrin (28)—for distributing illicit substances. A total of 149.8 grams of Canadian Loud, a potent cannabis strain, was recovered. Additionally, on Saturday, August 2, Aliyu Abubakar (25) and Adekunle Agbabiaka (30) were arrested along the Abaji-Gwagwalada expressway with 91.1kg of skunk.
In Lagos, Joseph Michael was arrested on Saturday, August 2, in Mushin with 3.3kg of Colorado, a synthetic cannabis strain, while Ibrahim Sulaiman was nabbed in Iwaya, Yaba, on Friday, August 1, with 16.5 litres of skuchies. In Benue, 100,000 tramadol capsules were seized from Hussein Yusuf (37) at a checkpoint along Vandeikya-Ogoja road on Friday, August 1. In Edo, William Alabi (44) was arrested in Ekpoma with 233.5kg of skunk on the same day.
At Muhammadu Buhari International Airport (MBIAM), Maiduguri, on Friday, August 1, NDLEA intercepted 160 tramadol pills concealed in footwear, arresting passenger Umar Aminu (38). In Ogun, Yahaya Aminat Seyi was arrested on Friday, August 1, in Oja Odan with 7,218 opioid pills, mainly tramadol. In Oyo, Oladeji Saka (54) was nabbed in Asanike, Ibadan, with 77.5kg of skunk, and in Delta, Benson Izah (40) was arrested in Abraka with 12.5kg of skunk, 1kg of tramadol, and 14.4 litres of codeine.
In Bayelsa, Chief Emeka Opara (52) and Onuoha Chidinma (25) were arrested on Friday, August 1, along Tantua road, Amassoma, with 41,705 tramadol capsules and other opioids. In Kano, Bashir Gambo (30) was nabbed in Yar Yasa, Tudun Wada LGA, with 61kg of skunk. In Osun, Kabiru Ayinde (40) and Roqeeb Adekanmbi (25) were arrested on Monday, July 28, in Ile-Ogbo, Iwo, with 90kg of skunk, 36.3 grams of methamphetamine, a Toyota bus (SMK 755 YF), and ₦228,200 in cash.
NDLEA commands nationwide continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization activities, including lectures at Ciroma Ibrahim Islamiyya School, Potiskum, Yobe; Sultan Maccido Institute, Wamakko, Sokoto; Borno Express Transport Services, Maiduguri; Seventh Day Adventist Church, Abakpa Nike, Enugu; and a visit to the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdurasheed Adewale Akanbi, in Osun.
Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd), Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, commended the MMIA, MBIAM, FCT, Lagos, Edo, Oyo, Delta, Bayelsa, Benue, Kano, and Osun commands for their arrests, seizures, and professionalism, urging sustained efforts in the agency’s balanced drug control approach.
