The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has ramped up its fight against drug trafficking across Nigeria, resulting in a series of significant arrests and drug busts that underscore its unwavering commitment to combat the growing drug menace in the country.
In a high-profile operation, NDLEA operatives at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) arrested a 42-year-old Angolan businessman, Mbala Abuba, on February 25, 2025.
Abuba, who had ingested a large quantity of cocaine with the intention of trafficking it to Istanbul, Turkey, was apprehended while attempting to board Egypt Air flight MS 880. After a body scan confirmed the presence of the narcotics, Abuba expelled 120 pellets of cocaine, totaling 1.829 kilograms, following a period of observation.
The suspect, who had been involved in township delivery services in Angola, admitted to his involvement in the drug trade.
The agency’s tireless operations also led to the arrest of Ebuka Igwe, an auto spare parts dealer, at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos. Igwe was attempting to smuggle 1.10 kilograms of cocaine concealed in vehicle propellers to Angola. He was arrested on February 24, 2025, after the NDLEA received credible intelligence regarding his illicit activities.
In a separate operation, Ezechi Cyprian was arrested on February 23, 2025, for attempting to transport 5.40 kilograms of cocaine in his Toyota Sienna bus to Owerri, Imo State. This arrest was the result of weeks of intelligence gathering and strategic surveillance by the NDLEA’s Special Operations Unit.
At Tin Can Island Port in Lagos, a joint operation between NDLEA, Customs, and other security agencies led to the discovery of 128 parcels of Canadian Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, hidden in mattresses.
The consignment, weighing 63.75 kilograms, had been shipped from Montreal, Canada. Bamidele Joseph, the suspect linked to the shipment, was arrested on February 28, 2025.
In Delta State, NDLEA operatives, supported by the military, dismantled a major cannabis farm on February 27, 2025. The 20-hectare farm in the Innam-Abbi/Orogun community of Ndokwa West Local Government Area contained over 50,000 kilograms of cannabis.
During the operation, five individuals were arrested, including Augustine Subaru (45), Ukoba Malachukwu (53), and Odalonu Emmanuel (40). That same day, another significant seizure was made when NDLEA agents intercepted a Mercedes Benz truck along the Abraka-Orogun Road, seizing 1,111 kilograms of skunk concealed in 101 bags.
The agency’s successful operations continued in Edo State, where on March 1, 2025, NDLEA operatives, with military support, raided a warehouse in the Okpuje community of Owan West Local Government Area.
They destroyed over 100 jumbo bags of skunk and recovered 1,409.5 kilograms of the narcotic. Two individuals, Oikelomen Osere Monday (38) and Glory Iroyo (42), were arrested in connection with the illicit drugs.
Further arrests were made in other parts of Nigeria. On February 27, 2025, NDLEA operatives intercepted a consignment of 1.05 kilograms of skunk concealed in detergent soap and biscuit cartons on the Ibadan-Gbongan Expressway, leading to the arrest of Sunday Ogbu (45).
In Borno State, Mustapha Shettima (50) was apprehended on February 26, 2025, with 31 kilograms of skunk, 1,000 tramadol pills, and N720,000 in cash. Another suspect, Michael Omoloki (46), was arrested with 58.5 kilograms of skunk on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
In Kwara State, Lawali Mohammed, a Beninese national, was arrested on February 24, 2025, with 2,980 tablets of tramadol and diazepam pills, while Ayuba Mustapha (30) was arrested in Zamfara State on February 23, 2025, with 24,700 tramadol pills.
The NDLEA’s operations have also extended to educational outreach as part of its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA). Sensitization programs have been conducted in schools, workplaces, religious centers, and communities across Nigeria.
Notable institutions include Ansarudeen Junior Secondary School in Lagos, Loretto Girls Special Science School in Anambra, and Tudun Murtala Special Primary School in Kano.
With these strategic operations and collaborations with various law enforcement agencies, the NDLEA remains at the forefront of Nigeria’s efforts to curb the drug trade.
The agency’s consistent success in intercepting illicit drugs and arresting perpetrators signals a stronger, more coordinated response to the dangers of drug trafficking in the country.
NDLEA’s work is far from over, and as these recent busts show, they are committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of Nigerians by eradicating the threat of drugs in the nation.
