NDLEA Seizes N3.4bn Worth of Cannabis, Opioids, Arrests Fake Police Officer, 10 Others
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted illicit drugs worth more than N3.4 billion and arrested several suspects in intelligence-driven operations across eight states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The agency said its operatives recovered more than 1.3 million pills and capsules of tramadol and other opioids, alongside about 6,000kg of cannabis, including 603.75kg of Canadian Loud, in operations conducted in Lagos, Edo, Niger, Delta, Ondo, Gombe, Imo and the FCT.
Among the major breakthroughs was the seizure of 1,200 parcels of Canadian Loud concealed in a 40-foot container at the Tin-Can Island Port, Lagos. The consignment, which weighed 603.75kg and had an estimated street value of N1.81 billion, was shipped from Montreal, Canada.
According to the NDLEA, the container arrived at the port on September 12, 2026, but was placed under surveillance following processed intelligence. A joint physical examination by NDLEA, the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies on September 16 led to the discovery of the consignment.
The drugs were concealed in 31 black jumbo bags loaded inside two Toyota Sienna vehicles within the container.
In a related operation, NDLEA operatives arrested a 49-year-old suspected drug trafficker, Innocent Ekpe, along the Benin-Onitsha Expressway in Asaba, Delta State, on September 16.
Ekpe was allegedly found with 292.48kg of skunk concealed in a silver Toyota Sienna bus.
The agency said preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect allegedly impersonated a senior police officer under the name Godwin Emeka, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, and used a forged identification card to evade security checkpoints while transporting illicit drugs across states.
His alleged accomplice, 39-year-old Nduka Joseph, was also arrested.
In 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 workshop was allegedly being used as a cover for storing illicit drugs. NDLEA officers recovered 48kg of Canadian Loud, 152 grammes of methamphetamine and a metal box used to store the substances.
Meanwhile, three young men were arrested along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway at Chachi, Tafa Local Government Area of Niger State, during a patrol on September 15.
The suspects, identified as Bashir Usman, 20; Abubakar Nuhu, 18; and Abdulrahman Abdulwahab, 18, were allegedly found with two locally fabricated AK-47 rifles and a magazine, a locally made pistol with a magazine and nine rounds of 9mm ammunition concealed in a black travel bag.
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Also in Niger State, NDLEA operatives on September 18 arrested Aminu Isyaku, 23, and Jamilu Habibu, 25, along the Abaji-Abuja highway.
The suspects were allegedly transporting more than 1.1 million assorted tramadol tablets and capsules, codeine syrup, methamphetamine and Exol tablets concealed in eight sacks. The consignment was reportedly being conveyed from Onitsha, Anambra State, to Mararaba, Nasarawa State.
In Lagos, operatives arrested Onyeka Ofor at his residence in Aguda, Surulere, on September 18, recovering 48,900 pills of tramadol 225mg.
Another 59kg of cannabis sativa was intercepted at a logistics company, leading to the arrest of a suspect identified as Luke Ugokwe.
In a separate operation at Apongbo, Lagos, NDLEA officers arrested 43-year-old Ibrahim Hudu on September 17 and recovered 998.38kg of nitrous oxide gas.
In Gombe State, 154,480 capsules of tramadol were recovered from two suspects, Sabi’u Umar, 27, and Hassana Muhammad, 19, who were arrested at Barunde and Gombe Main Market respectively on September 18.
Similarly, NDLEA operatives arrested 25-year-old Ifesinachi Godwin along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Imo State, recovering 43.85kg of skunk from him.
In Ondo State, 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.
The operation, conducted on September 15, also led to the destruction of an estimated 5,000kg of cannabis plants. The agency said 48kg of dry and fresh cannabis was recovered for use in prosecuting the suspects.
Beyond its interdiction operations, the NDLEA said its commands and formations nationwide continued with its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaign during the week.
The campaign included enlightenment 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 paid a WADA advocacy visit to His Royal Majesty, King Couple Mackson Oromoni Mobene III, Pere Ama-Okosu of Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Kingdom, Delta State.
Commending the officers and men of the Lagos, Tin-Can, Edo, Niger, Delta, Ondo, Gombe, Imo and FCT Commands, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), urged them to sustain their intelligence-driven operations.
Marwa also called on personnel nationwide to maintain what he described as a balanced approach to drug control, combining supply reduction with drug demand reduction and public sensitisation.
The NDLEA’s latest operations come amid intensified efforts by the agency to disrupt the trafficking and distribution of illicit drugs across Nigeria while expanding public awareness campaigns against drug abuse.
By PRNigeria
