Tag: Ndlea

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has apprehended notorious drug trafficker Nwobodo Chidiebere Basil, who was previously convicted in 2023 for dealing 30.10kg of methamphetamine.

A statement released on Sunday by the agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, disclosed that Basil was arrested along with three cargo agents over the seizure of 75 parcels of cocaine weighing 1.50 kilograms concealed in factory-sealed sachets of cold-water starch heading to the United Kingdom at the export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos.

The statement read, “Three cargo agents: Jubrin Firdausi Hassana, Kuku Daniel Oluwasegun, and Igwe Chioma Jane, involved in the attempt to export the consignment to the UK, were swiftly arrested on Saturday, 20th December 2025, before further investigations unravelled 37-year-old Nwobodo Chidiebere Basil as the mastermind. He was arrested in a follow up operation on Sunday 21st December at a popular relaxation centre in Ikeja where he went on a date with his girlfriend.

“The Agency’s criminal database revealed that Nwobodo had been arrested in May 2023 in connection with the seizure of 30.10kg methamphetamine concealed in powdered custard containers as part of a consolidated cargo going to London, United Kingdom, at the export shed of the Lagos airport. He was subsequently arraigned at a Federal High Court in charge number: FHC/L/337C/2023, convicted and sentenced to five years imprisonment with an option of a fine of Seven Million Naira (₦7,000,000.00), along with one-month community service, with effect from 4th December, 2023. He paid the fine and soon after returned to the same crime.”

Babafemi also disclosed that the NDLEA operatives during another operation on Monday December, 22 set ablaze tons of skunk, a strain of cannabis and wooden warehouses in Ara forest, Ara-Ekiti where 638 kilograms of same psychoactive substance were also recovered.

He said, “No fewer than 1,205 blocks of compressed cannabis sativa, weighing 883.1kg, were recovered from three Toyota Camry vehicles intercepted by NDLEA operatives on patrol along Igara-Auchi road, Edo state, on Monday, 22nd December.”

Similarly, a raid operation conducted on Sunday, December 21, at Agoi-Ibami community, Yakurr LGA, in Cross River State, led to the arrest of three suspects and the seizure of various quantities of skunk.

The suspects include, Freedom Jonah Akpama, 27, with 671kg; David Itam David, 30, with 89kg; and Nelson Arikpo Osam, 26, with 148kg.

The agency said in another operation, a 42-year-old lady, identified as Joy Oisamaye, was arrested with 38kg skunk by NDLEA operatives on patrol along Abaji- Abuja expressway on Monday, December 22, on her way from Otua in Owan East LGA, Edo state.

In Gombe state, a 65-year-old driver, Sada’u Mohammed, was arrested while conveying 300 ampoules of pentazocine injection, 27,900 pills of tramadol, and other opioids, along the Gombe-Biu highway, heading to Biu in Borno state.

NDLEA also stated that a 47-year-old businessman, Ignatius Egbochie (alias Brown), wanted in connection with the seizure of 56 parcels of Loud, a strain of cannabis, weighing 26kg at the Tincan seaport in Lagos, has been arrested by NDLEA operatives.

The statement added, “The illicit drug consignment was seized on 10th December during a joint examination of a container by NDLEA, Customs and other security agencies. A follow up operation by NDLEA operatives on 19th December led to the arrest of Ignatius in Apapa.”

The Chairman of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) acknowledged the commitment of his operatives and enjoined them to remain extra vigilant throughout the festive season and beyond.

Marwa also charged them to maintain the highest standard of professionalism in all their drug control efforts.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has successfully secured a cumulative 21-year prison sentence for five members of an international criminal syndicate recently apprehended at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, over intercepted cocaine and opioid shipments destined for Australia and Gabon.

The convictions followed the seizure of 68.9 kilograms of cocaine and tramadol at the airport.

According to the NDLEA, the trio of Olasupo Michael Oladimeji, Muaezee Ademola Ogunbiyi, and Sola Adegoke—identified as leaders of one of the trafficking cartels—were arrested after 17.9kg of cocaine concealed in textile materials and local charms was intercepted at the MMIA export shed on August 26, 2025, en route to Sydney, Australia.

Further investigations led to the recovery of 20.5kg of Canadian Loud (a potent strain of cannabis) from Ogunbiyi’s residence in Lekki, while a black Range Rover SUV (RBC 459 EJ) was recovered from Adegoke’s home in Ikeja GRA.

The suspects were arraigned on October 30, 2025, before Justice Musa Kakaki of the Federal High Court, Lagos, on five counts under charge number FHC/L/925C/2025. They pleaded guilty to all charges.

Delivering judgment on October 31, Justice Kakaki sentenced each defendant to five years’ imprisonment without an option of fine, amounting to a combined jail term of 15 years.

The court also ordered the forfeiture of the Range Rover SUV and a Toyota Venza seized during the investigation to the Federal Government.

In a related case, two other cartel coordinators—Obunike Joseph Obichukwu and Uzorchukwu Godspower Chukwurah—were arrested over a shipment containing 2.60kg of cocaine and 27.90kg of tramadol concealed in motor spare parts destined for Gabon on July 19, 2025.

After investigations, both suspects were arraigned before Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa of the Federal High Court, Lagos, on November 4, on six counts under charge number FHC/L/980C/2025.

Upon their guilty pleas and a review of the case facts, the court sentenced both men to three years’ imprisonment each or an option of a N2 million fine.

Additionally, the N4 million Obunike allegedly offered as a bribe to NDLEA operatives was ordered forfeited to the Federal Government.

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have uncovered a secret laboratory producing Colorado, a potent synthetic cannabis, inside a residential building at Ajao Estate, Isolo, Lagos, arresting 30-year-old Stephen Kelechi Imoh.

According to a statement by the NDLEA on Saturday, the discovery followed months of intelligence gathering after officers intercepted consignments of freshly produced Colorado (Colos) in March and May 2025, indicating that the drug, once imported, was now being locally manufactured.

“The breakthrough came on Thursday, October 30, when NDLEA operatives raided a residential apartment converted into a laboratory for producing Colos,” the statement said.

Recovered items from the building included 16.2kg of freshly cooked Colos, 1.7kg of ADB-CHMNACA Cannabinol, 4.5kg of Potassium Carbonate, and 91 litres of Dibromobutane, all chemicals used in producing synthetic cannabis.

In a separate operation on Saturday, November 1, NDLEA officers stormed the den of a 28-year-old drug dealer, Afeez Salisu (alias Malu), in Mushin, Lagos, seizing 16 compressed blocks of Ghana Loud (another cannabis strain) and designer sachets and bottles of Colorado weighing 16.4kg.

The agency also arrested a 20-year-old music artist, Godspower George Osahenrumwen, popularly known as Steady Boy, for attempting to collect a shipment of cannabis imported from the United States.

The consignment, concealed inside three cartons of bathtubs, arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, aboard a DHL flight on October 28.

Steady Boy was apprehended at Bougain Villa, Primewater Gardens 2, Freedom Way, Lekki, when he showed up to collect the 140 bags of Loud, weighing 77.2kg, on behalf of a syndicate led by his manager, Zion Osazee Omigie (alias Zee Money), who remains at large.

In Kaduna, NDLEA operatives intercepted 84,710 capsules of Tramadol being transported from Onitsha, Anambra State, to Bauchi. A follow-up operation led to the arrest of 27-year-old Musa Abdulkarim.

Two days later, 47-year-old Hamza Musa was arrested at the Abuja-Kaduna tollgate with 32,946 bottles of Akuskura, a new psychoactive substance (NPS), while 30-year-old Saidu Nafiu was caught with 131.5kg of skunk in Igabi LGA, Kaduna State.

In Ogun State, NDLEA officers intercepted a bus along Abiola Way, Abeokuta, arresting Seun Olaniyi (24), Rauf Asogba (28), and Ayinla Adeniyi (50) with 1,779kg of skunk traced from Benin Republic.

In Bauchi, operatives seized 596.4kg of skunk from Jamilu Mustapha (alias Last Card), while 532,600 pills of Tramadol and Exol-5 were recovered from three suspects in Ilorin, Kwara State, inside a truck marked KTG-791ZZ.

In Edo State, NDLEA operatives intercepted two Toyota Sienna buses on October 29 at Okhokho-Isi community, Uhunmwode LGA, recovering 1,455kg of skunk.

Similarly, in Ondo State, officers recovered 2,829kg of skunk linked to a 32-year-old woman, Mrs. Ige Olarewaju, from two locations in Ayede, Ogbese, while another suspect, Samuel Adebayo, was arrested with 737kg of the same substance at Adegbola Junction, Akure.

At Ibereko, Badagry, Lagos, 50-year-old Ige Oluwale was caught with 76.5 litres of “skuchies”, a cocktail of blackcurrant, skunk, and opioids.

In Taraba State, two men, Musbahu Abdullahi (28) and Saleiman Ahmed (25) — were arrested in Wukari with 30,370 pills of Tramadol and 177 grams of methamphetamine, reportedly being moved from Onitsha to Yola, Adamawa State.

Meanwhile, the NDLEA continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign across the country, holding sensitisation sessions in secondary schools, religious institutions, and workplaces.

The outreach covered Aroje/Abaa Community High School, Ogbomoso (Oyo State); Amazing Flower Secondary School, Ikorodu (Lagos); Government Day Secondary School, Ilelah (Sokoto); and several others across Kano and Jigawa States.

The NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), commended officers of the MMIA, Lagos, Kaduna, Edo, Kwara, Ogun, Taraba, Ondo, Seme, and Bauchi Commands for their professionalism and resilience.

“The NDLEA will continue to target and dismantle every identified drug syndicate in any part of Nigeria.

“We will also ensure that offenders forfeit all traceable assets to the Federal Government. Our fight is not only to seize drugs but to cripple the economic base of these criminal networks,” Marwa said

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in the early hours of Sunday, October 26, 2025, raided Proxy Nightclub located at 7 Akin Adesola Street, Victoria Island, where a drug party was reportedly taking place.

Over 100 suspects including the owner of the club, Mike Eze Nwalie Nwogu, alias Pretty Mike, were arrested and taken into custody for screening.

Cartons of illicit substances including Loud, and laughing gas, were recovered from suspects at the party and the club’s store.

A statement released by the NDLEA said the raid followed intelligence about the drug party.

NDLEA operatives who were embedded in the party between 11:00 pm on Saturday 25th October however disrupted the gathering at 3:00 am on Sunday 26th October based on Standard Operating Procedures, SOPs.

A total of 70 parcels of cocaine factory packed in walls of cocoa butter formula body cream containers heading to London, United Kingdom have been uncovered at the export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja Lagos by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, with three suspects arrested in series of follow-up operations across Lagos.

The cocaine consignments weighing 3.60 kilograms were discovered on 14th October 2025 during examination of cargoes packaged as personal effects going to London, UK on an Air Peace flight.

A cargo agent Lawal Mustapha Olakunle who presented the consignment for airfreight was promptly arrested while investigations stretching into two weeks led to the arrest of two principal suspects linked to the attempt to export the concealed Class A drug to the UK.

In a follow up operation on 18th October, a female healthcare worker, Ogunmuyide Taiwo Deborah, was arrested following which Mutiu Adebayo Adebiyi, the Chief Executive Officer of a travel agency, Mutiu Adebiyi & Co, was arrested at his 23 Ladoke Akintola Street, Ikeja GRA Lagos office on Monday 20th October.

In a similar development, attempt by a 35-year-old Lesotho national, Lemena Mark, to export 103.59 grams of methamphetamine concealed in a diabeta herbs coffee tea pack to the Philippines on an Ethiopian airlines flight from the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, AIIA, Enugu on Wednesday 22nd October was thwarted by NDLEA officers who arrested him and recovered the illicit drug.

No fewer than 21,950 capsules of tramadol 250mg concealed inside a 100-litre water heater were recovered from a suspect Umar Abubakar, 40, who was arrested by NDLEA operatives at Bode Saadu, Morro local government area of Kwara state following credible intelligence on Tuesday 21st October.

In Taraba, the duo of Auwal Musa, 26, and Salihu Bala, 22, were on Tuesday 21st October arrested with 450,000 pills of tramadol and exol-5 at Dan-anacha checkpoint while conveying the consignment in a truck loaded with building materials from Onitsha, Anambra state to Mubi, Adamawa State.

While NDLEA officers on patrol along Okene/Lokoja highway, Kogi state seized 162.200kg skunk, a strain of cannabis, from a truck on Friday 24th October, operatives in Nasarawa state on Wednesday 22nd October recovered 128kg of same psychoactive substance from a suspect, Abubakar Muhammad, 55, in Keffi area of the state.

A mother of two, Oyonumoh Glory Effiong, who is a major distributor of Canadian and California Loud, both strong strains of cannabis in Lekki, Ajah, Ikoyi, Victoria Island and VGC areas of Lagos have been arrested by NDLEA operatives on Friday 17th October during a raid at her Lekki home where 500 grams of the illicit substances were recovered.

In Ikorodu area of Lagos, NDLEA officers on Thursday 23rd October raided the home of a suspect Ogunyabo Adenigbigbe at Solomade Estate where 275 litres of skuchies, a new psychoactive substance produced with black currant drink, cannabis and opioids, were recovered.

A 75-year-old grandpa, Echendu Onuoka, was on Wednesday 22nd October arrested at Ovum village, Obingwa LGA, Abia State with 4.7kg skunk seized from him, while a 60-year-old grandma, Aukana John, was nabbed with 225 grams of same substance at Apanta village, in the same LGA.

While 150kg skunk was recovered during a raid operation at Lot camp, Ikun Akoko, Ondo state, two suspects: Bashir Mohammad, 50, and Samini Ahmed Tijjani, 35, were nabbed with 234.5kg of same substance at Yan aya , Saminaka in Lere LGA, Kaduna on Friday 24th October just as another set of suspects: Isah Usman, 50, and Salvation Okoler, 18, were arrested with 8,600 pills of tramadol 225mg and rohypnol along Abuja/Kaduna highway.

At the Seme border area of Lagos, NDLEA operatives on Wednesday 22nd October nabbed Jacob Ojugbele with 55kg skunk at Ashipa area of Badagry while Amusa Oluwabukola was arrested with 121.3 litres of skuchies at Itoga Badagry.

In Zamfara State, NDLEA operatives on patrol along Gummi-Anka road on Monday 20th October arrested a suspect Abubakar Ibrahim, 30, in possession of AK-47 rifle and 1,746 assorted calibres of ammunition, for AK 47 and GPMG rifles while moving them from Sokoto to Bagega forest, Anka LGA, Zamfara.

Both the suspect and the exhibits have since been handed over to the appropriate security agency for further investigation.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has destroyed 8,166.95 kilograms of confiscated illicit drugs in Yobe State, marking a major milestone in the ongoing battle against drug trafficking and abuse.

The event which took place at Kasaisa village near Gujba Maiduguri new bypass on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, was presided over by the Chairman of NDLEA Brigadier General Mohammed Buba Marwa and supported by Governor Mai Mala Buni.

The destroyed drugs include: 6,791.249kg of cannabis sativa, 1,375.65kg of psychotropic substances, 0.04kg of cocaine, and 0.012kg of heroin.

The NDLEA, Yobe State Command has made remarkable progress since its inception in 2003, seizing over 16,011.13 kilograms of illicit substances, arresting 2,345 suspects, and securing 349 convictions.

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have busted an international organized criminal group (IOCG) with networks across Nigeria, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Australia, and the United Arab Emirates, arresting three kingpins and seizing a cocaine consignment valued at ₦5.3 billion.

NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, said the operation, conducted over two weeks across Lagos, began on August 26, 2025, when officers at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, intercepted 76 cartons of textile materials bound for Sydney, Australia.

A search revealed 17.9kg of cocaine concealed in lace fabrics alongside local charms, allegedly meant to provide “spiritual cover” against detection.

A freight agent, Olashupo Michael Oladimeji, was the first to be arrested. Further investigations led to the arrest of Muaezee Ademola Ogunbiyi, described as the group’s Nigerian coordinator, and Shola Adegoke, another leader.

Ogunbiyi was picked up at an Ikeja GRA hotel, where a search of his Lekki residence uncovered 21 parcels of Canadian Loud (10.9kg) and a pump-action rifle. Adegoke was arrested during a raid on the syndicate’s packaging house at Ikeja GRA, where 9.6kg of Loud was seized from a Range Rover SUV.

Babafemi disclosed that the cartel’s ringleader, identified as Adebisi Ademola Omoyele (alias Mr. Bee), currently resides in Dubai. Investigations revealed that Adegoke had previously served a UK jail term for methamphetamine trafficking, while Ogunbiyi had served 14 years in Britain for murder before returning to Nigeria.

In related operations, NDLEA seized 160,200 bottles of codeine syrup worth ₦1.1bn from a 40ft container at Onne Port, Rivers State, and recovered 653kg of cannabis derivatives during raids in Lagos, Abuja, Kogi, Edo, Anambra, Niger, Kaduna, and Taraba.

Highlights include:

Arrest of a Milan-based Nigerian, Gabriel Michael, at Lagos Airport with 24,480 tramadol pills.

Interception of a dispatch rider in Abuja with 3.1kg of Colorado.

Recovery of 625kg of Loud and Colorado from a distribution hub in Surulere, Lagos.

Arrest of a couple in Ajegunle, Lagos, with 24.4kg of skunk.

Destruction of 18.7 tonnes of cannabis farms in Taraba State.

NDLEA Chairman, Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd), commended the officers involved, urging them to intensify the agency’s “balanced approach” combining enforcement with advocacy under the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has arrested a 50-year-old widow and fashion designer, Mrs. Ifeoma Henrietta Ezewuike, for attempting to smuggle 1.3 kilograms of cocaine while posing as a pregnant woman.

Ezewuike, who runs a fashion outfit, Golden Star Creation, in the Okota area of Lagos, was apprehended at a bus terminal in Jibowu, Yaba, on Friday, August 22, 2025, while attempting to deliver the drug consignment to customers in Abuja.

A statement released by the agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, said a follow-up operation at her residence in Ago Palace Way, Okota, led to the recovery of 200 grams of cutting agent used in processing cocaine.

Babafemi said in her statement to investigators, Ezewuike, a mother of one, claimed she inherited the drug trade from her late husband, who died two years ago, despite being in the fashion business for over 20 years.

“A 50-year-old widow and fashion designer, Mrs. Ifeoma Henrietta Ezewuike, has been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) over an attempt to traffic 1.3 kilograms of cocaine, using fake pregnancy as a façade to escape scrutiny and detection.

“A follow-up operation at her house in the Ago palace area led to the recovery of 200 grams of cutting agent used in the production of a strain of cocaine. In her statement, Ezewuike claimed she inherited the criminal trade from her husband, who died two years ago, while she has been in the fashion business for 20 years,” the statement partly read.

In related operations, Babafemi said NDLEA operatives intercepted 90 parcels of Loud, a strain of cannabis weighing 48.6kg, concealed in three cartons of kitchen sinks imported from the United States.

He said the seizure was made at a courier company in Lagos on Tuesday, August 19

“Not less than 90 parcels of Loud, a strain of cannabis weighing 48.6kg, imported from the United States of America and concealed in three cartons of kitchen sink were intercepted at a courier company in Lagos on Tuesday, 19th August by NDLEA officers of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation,” Babafemi said.

In Adamawa, he said NDLEA operatives acting on credible intelligence on Friday, 22nd August, raided the home of a notorious drug dealer, Idris Garba, who scaled the fence to escape arrest while one of his associates, Boniface Nnaji, 55, who attempted the same, was caught in the act at Rumde Baru area of Yola South.

“Recovered from the premises include a black Toyota Thundra jeep marked FST-885-CZ driven to Yola by Nnaji to supply Garba 354,480 pills of tramadol 225mg, 250mg and others as well as a Toyota Yaris car with registration number DSA 776 AA”, he added.

In Kano, Babafemi said the duo of Buhari Ibrahim, 25, and Mansur Musa, 24, were nabbed at Zangon Ungogo, with 5,850 capsules of pregabaline on Tuesday, 19th August, while a total of 452,070 pills of opioids were recovered from the home of a suspect Rabilu Mukhtar, who is at large, at Rangaza, Ungogo LGA, just as Buhari Idris, 35, was arrested at Tashan Rami area of the state with 140 litres of codeine syrup, both on the same Tuesday.

“Fewer than 7,000 capsules of tramadol were seized from Adamu Yusuf, 29, along Zaria-Kano road, Kwanar Dangora area of the state on Saturday, 23rd August”, he added.

In Abuja, he said two dispatch riders were arrested for distributing illicit substances.

According to the statement, similar crackdowns were recorded in Taraba, Edo, Delta, Ondo, and Ekiti states, where NDLEA teams destroyed large cannabis farms and warehouses.