NDLEA Intercepts Saudi-Bound Cannabis at Kano Airport, Seizes ₦7bn Tramadol in Lagos
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted a consignment of cannabis concealed in a gallon of palm oil at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, destined for Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, while uncovering 8,725 kilogrammes of powdered tramadol valued at more than ₦6.98 billion at the Apapa Port in Lagos.
The agency also arrested several suspects, including an 85-year-old woman, and seized large quantities of cannabis, tramadol, diazepam and other illicit substances during intelligence-led operations across Lagos, Edo, Ondo, Bauchi, Kano, Kaduna and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
According to a statement issued on Sunday by the NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the interception at Kano airport occurred on Friday, October 16, 2026, during the outward clearance of an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Jeddah via Addis Ababa.
The suspect, identified as Fatimah Ahmad, was allegedly found with 511.75 grammes of cannabis, commonly known as skunk, concealed in a gallon of palm oil. She reportedly told investigators that her cousin, Abubakar Yahaya, had given her the container. Yahaya was subsequently arrested at the airport car park.
In Lagos, NDLEA operatives, working with the Nigeria Customs Service and other agencies, uncovered 8,725 kilogrammes of powdered tramadol hydrochloride at the Apapa Port. The consignment, imported from India and declared as maize starch, was discovered on October 2 and confirmed through laboratory testing.
The shipment was subsequently separated from its concealment on October 14, revealing 349 bags of the substance with an estimated street value exceeding ₦6.98 billion.
At the Tincan Island Port, Lagos, operatives on October 12 also recovered 55 kilogrammes of Canadian Loud, a potent cannabis strain, valued at ₦165 million. The drugs were packed in brown cartons and concealed inside a Toyota Sienna vehicle shipped in a 40-foot container.
Other operations in Lagos led to the arrest of Elizabeth Chidera Kalu at Idumota Market, where officers recovered 10,600 ampoules of diazepam injection and 6,500 tablets of Molly from her store.
In Mushin, two men, Idowu Daudu and Ahmed Oniyinde, both aged 35, were arrested on October 15 with 59.95 kilogrammes and 61.23 kilogrammes of skunk, respectively.
The agency also intercepted a truck along Iyana Oba following intelligence about illicit drug consignments allegedly transported from Trade Fair Market. Two suspects, identified as Tajudeen Adeduntan, a loading manager, and his assistant, Azeez Sikiru, were arrested. A search of the vehicle uncovered 18,000 tablets of tramadol 250mg concealed in cartons labelled as Rambo insecticide.
In Edo State, NDLEA operatives arrested six suspects during raids in Warake, Ivhiaro and Ewe/Irue communities in Owan East Local Government Area between October 15 and 16.
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Among those arrested was 85-year-old Grace Ehimeka, who was allegedly found with 179 kilogrammes of skunk in Warake. Other recoveries included 220.8 kilogrammes from Ayo Aigberadion, 53; 5.852 kilogrammes from Ali Garba, 57; and smaller quantities of cannabis and other substances from Habib Braimoh, 45, Musa Mubid, 35, and Hope Okoro, 35.
In Ondo State, operatives raided a cannabis farm at Okemoro Isinbode Camp Forest on October 17, destroying an estimated 7,500 kilogrammes of skunk cultivated across three hectares.
Five suspects were arrested during the operation. Officers also recovered 92 bags of skunk weighing 1,267 kilogrammes, 11 kilogrammes of cannabis seeds and three kilogrammes of fresh cannabis stems, bringing the total weight of the recovered exhibits to 1,281 kilogrammes.
In a separate operation in the Owo area of the state, officers tracked 53-year-old Okunebe Ndidi to a hideout in Ameyinti on October 16 and recovered 25 bags of cannabis weighing 375 kilogrammes.
In Bauchi State, operatives intercepted a Volkswagen Golf wagon driven by 35-year-old Shamsu Garba at Ragwam village in Katagum Local Government Area on October 14. A search reportedly led to the recovery of 894,800 pills of tramadol capsules and Exol-5 tablets.
On the same day, NDLEA officers patrolling the Bauchi-Gombe Road recovered 291 blocks of cannabis weighing 265 kilogrammes from an abandoned vehicle at Tudun Natsira village.
In Kano State, two suspects, Ali Abdullahi, 38, and Ibrahim Adamu, 23, were arrested along the Zaria-Kano Road on October 13 with 30,100 tablets of tramadol 225mg. Another suspect, 54-year-old Murtala Dayyabu, was arrested at Niger Street, Malan Kato, on October 14 with 100,000 tablets of Exol-5.
In Kaduna State, raids at Kayimi village led to the arrest of Mohammed Sani, 48, Zaharadeen Shafiu, 29, and Yakubu Abdullahi, 20, with 496.5 kilogrammes of cannabis.
A separate operation at Food Palace on Ali Akilu Road resulted in the arrest of John Ayo David, 39, with 49,500 tablets of tramadol 225mg.
In Abuja, operatives arrested 42-year-old Odo Jonas Ejike at Utako on October 17 and recovered 29,500 capsules of tramadol.
Beyond enforcement operations, the agency continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaign in schools, religious centres, workplaces and communities across the country.
The outreach activities included engagements with students and staff of Nawar-Ur-Deen High School in Oyo State, Elf Junior Secondary School in Gombe, Cherubim and Seraphim Primary School in Ikorodu, Lagos, Harmony Secondary School in Lokoja, Kogi State, and Government Secondary School in Ikot Ansa, Cross River State.
Other institutions reached included Rivers State College of Health Science and Management Technology in Port Harcourt, Mesh International School in Benin City and Abu Hanifa Academy in Kano.
The NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), commended personnel of the Apapa, Tincan, Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Lagos, Edo, Bauchi, Ondo, Kano, Kaduna and FCT Commands for their professionalism and intelligence-led operations.
Marwa urged officers across the country to sustain pressure on drug trafficking networks while maintaining a balanced approach to drug control, including enforcement and public awareness.
The latest seizures underscore the scale and geographical spread of illicit drug trafficking in Nigeria, with authorities continuing to target international smuggling routes, domestic distribution networks and cannabis cultivation sites.
By PRNigeria
