Tag: NDLEA

…arrests bandits’ supplier with drugs in private part

…recovers 563kg skunk, meth, heroin in Bayelsa warehouse, arrests four

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted a shipment of cocaine concealed in 20 sets of religious books going to Saudi Arabia.

Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters Abuja, Femi Babafemi, made this known in a statement on Sunday.

He saaid the cocaine consignment consisting of 20 parcels with a total weight of 500grams and buried in the pages of the religious books was uncovered at a courier company in Lagos on Tuesday 15th April 2025 when NDLEA officers of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation (DOGI) were searching through export cargos going to Saudi Arabia at the logistics firm.

Babafemi said at another courier company same day, NDLEA officers intercepted five parcels of Loud, a strong strain of cannabis weighing 2.8 kilograms hidden in a carton coming from the United States of America.

The spokesman said jn Kano, a 22-year-old supplier of illicit substances to bandits, Muhammad Mohammed, was been arrested by NDLEA operatives on patrol along Bichi – Kano road while heading to Katsina with 277 ampoules of pentazocine injection tied to his thigh and private part with Sellotape.

Babafemi said the suspect was intercepted on Sunday 13th April, while another suspect, Mohammed Abdulrahman Abdulaziz, 43, was nabbed same day at Research Rimin Kebe area of Nasarawa, Kano with 68 blocks of skunk, a strain of cannabis, weighing 30kg.

The statement reads, “Not less than 557.2kg of skunk, 5.6kg of methamphetamine and 29.8grams of heroin were recovered from a house along Major General Isaiah Alllison Street, Opolo, Yenagoa, Bayelsa state where four suspects were arrested when NDLEA operatives raided the premises on Wednesday 16th April. The four suspects arrested during the raid include: Sarimiye Suwa Kurtis, 46; Roland Prosper, 34; Sarimiye Tare Paul, 45; and Fidelis Ugbesla, 46.

“While a total of 1,100 kilograms of skunk were recovered from a delivery van with the driver, Ismail Abdullahi arrested in Surulere area of Lagos on Thursday 17th April, NDLEA operatives in Kaduna on Friday 18th April raided the hideout of a suspect, Ike Ani, 30, in Zaria, where no fewer than 31,950 pills of tramadol 225mg and diazepam were recovered.

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“In Kebbi, NDLEA operatives on patrol along Bagudo road on Friday 18th April intercepted a vehicle loaded with bags of charcoal coming from Malabil, Benin Republic. A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of 97kg skunk concealed in the sacks of charcoal. Three suspects: Abubakar Ibrahim, 50; Mustapha Aliyu, 32; and Bashar Lawali, 28, were arrested in connection with the seizure.

“A 48-year-old Okafor Marcel was nabbed with 11.5kg skunk at Abatete, Anambra state while NDLEA operatives in Osogbo, Osun state on Tuesday 15th April arrested Ajala Mercy, 27, with 43 litres of skushi, a mixture of black currant, cannabis and opioids recovered from her room at Dada estate, Halleluyah area of the state capital.

“Two cannabis farms in Egbeta forest, Ovia North East LGA, Edo state were raided by NDLEA operatives who destroyed 3,717.8625kg of the psychoactive plant on 1.487145 hectares and recovered 136.5kg of processed cannabis.

“At the Tincan seaport in Lagos, a suspect Basorun Usman Kayode, 40, who has been at large for two years was arrested by NDLEA officers in connection with the seizure of 107kg Loud imported from Cannada in 2023, while another suspect, Dauda Yakubu who distributes illicit drugs within the seaport community was arrested by a team of operatives on Monday 14th April.

“The War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, social advocacy activities by NDLEA Commands equally continued across the country in the past week. Some of them include: WADA sensitization lecture delivered to students and staff of St. Michael Anglican Primary School, Epe, Lagos; Community Grammar School, Ipoti Ekiti, Ekiti state; College of Education, Minna, Niger state; traders at Igbona market, Osogbo, Osun state; traders at Marian Market, Calabar, Cross River; drivers and others at Peace Mass Transit park, Upper Iweka, Onitsha, Anambra state, among others.

“While commending the officers and men of DOGI, Kano, Lagos, Kaduna, Kebbi, Osun, Zone 13, Edo and Tincan Commands of the Agency for the arrests and seizures of the past week, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) equally praised their counterparts in all the commands across the country for ensuring a fair balance between their drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts.”

Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) has charged officers and men of the agency to remain resolute and steadfast in the ongoing onslaught against illicit drug trafficking and dealers.

Marwa gave the charge yesterday while commissioning blocks of terrace flats accommodation newly constructed for personnel of the Zonal Command, Kano Command, Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport Command, and officers of the Strike Force Team of the agency deployed to Kano as well as a rehabilitation facility.

This was according to a statement by the Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, Femi Babafemi.

Marwa said the commissioning stands as yet another testimony to President Bola Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to the welfare of security personnel including NDLEA.

“We are acutely aware that the effectiveness of our officers hinges not merely upon their training and tools, but also upon the quality of their living conditions. A secure and decent home front empowers the spirit, sharpens the mind, and steels the resolve of those tasked with the solemn duty of safeguarding our society from the scourge of illicit drugs,” he noted.

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While recalling that the first ever NDLEA barrack in its 35-year history was commissioned in Yola, Adamawa State in February, Marwa disclosed that the agency has just completed  another barrack in Abuja, which is due for commissioning by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, adding that similar projects are at various stages of completion in Enugu and Lagos.

Justifying  the provision of decent accommodation for the agency’s workforce, he said: “These structures we commission today are not mere edifices of brick and mortar; they are symbols of peace, assurance, and respect. They reflect the value we place on our officers and an affirmation of our enduring pledge to uplift their standard of living.

“The challenges we face in this noble task are immense. The war against drug abuse and trafficking is not for the faint-hearted—it demands unyielding courage, iron discipline, and a resolute sense of purpose. With improved living conditions, our officers are fortified—physically, mentally, and emotionally—to bear the burden of this vital mission.”

He acknowledged the sacrifices being made daily by NDLEA officers to rid the country of illicit drugs and urged them to continue to stand up to the challenge of drug menace.

“I wish to sincerely acknowledge and commend the dedication and hard work of all NDLEA officers serving in Kano. The records of arrests, seizures, and convictions over the past twelve months—both in quantity and quality—have been impressive.

“As a state with an international border and an international airport, the importance of securing Kano against drug trafficking cannot be overstated. Therefore, NDLEA officers in this territory must continue to rise to the challenge. While we applaud the performance so far, we also look forward to even greater results in the future,” he said.

He urged personnel who will inhabit the buildings to treat the facilities with care and discipline, adding that the commissioning is a notable milestone in the determined march toward a more resilient, people-focused, and mission-driven NDLEA.

“Let us, together, continue to build an institution that stands for excellence, inspires loyalty, and never ceases to support its personnel,” he said.

The NDLEA boss thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his steadfast support for the Agency.

“Our gratitude equally extends to the many stakeholders who have stood shoulder-to-shoulder with us in the pursuit of our constitutional mandate,” he added.

Three officers of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA) have been hospitalized for gunshot injuries sustained after they came under attack from some armed men during a raid operation in the Jahi area of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja on Thursday night.

Director, Media and Advocacy NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, Femi Babafemi, made this known in a statement on Friday evening.

 According to the statement, the incident occurred when a team of NDLEA operatives, acting on intelligence and surveillance report, raided an uncompleted building at NNPC area of Jahi where 74 bottles of codeine, 10 litres of codeine syrup, 48grams of tramadol 225mg and 4.9kilograms of skunk, a strain of cannabis, as well as five android phones were recovered.

 The statement reads, “As the NDLEA team made their way out of the location, they came under gun attack.

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 “Three of the NDLEA personnel involved in the raid sustained gunshot injuries: one in the rib and two others on their back and leg.

 “The wounded officers were initially stabilized at the Police Clinic in Garki Area 1 before they were transferred to the National Hospital Abuja for further medical attention.

 “Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) expressed appreciation to the staff of the Police Clinic for their prompt support. He also thanked the Chief Medical Director of the National Hospital who was personally reached by him for overseeing the treatment of the wounded officers.

 “The NDLEA boss who is in Kano on official engagements also spoke on phone with the injured officers to wish them quick recovery. He assured them that the Agency will deploy every means at its disposal and work in collaboration with other security agencies to fish out those responsible for the attack on them.”

Three officers of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have been hospitalised for gunshot injuries sustained after they came under attack from some armed men during a raid operation in Jahi area of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja on Thursday night.

The incident occurred when a team of NDLEA operatives acting on intelligence and surveillance report raided an uncompleted building at NNPC area of Jahi where 74 bottles of codeine, 10 litres of codeine syrup, 48grams of tramadol 225mg and 4.9 kilograms of skunk, a strain of cannabis, as well as five android phones were recovered.

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As the NDLEA team made their way out of the location, they came under gun attack.

Three of the NDLEA personnel involved in the raid sustained gunshot injuries: one in the rib and two others on their back and leg.

The wounded officers were initially stabilised at the Police Clinic in Garki Area 1 before they were transferred to the National Hospital Abuja for further medical attention.

Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig-Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), expressed appreciation to the staff of the Police Clinic for their prompt support.

Three officers of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have been hospitalised for gunshot injuries sustained after they came under attack from some armed men during a raid operation in Jahi area of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja on Thursday night.

Director, Media and Advocacy NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, Femi Babafemi, announced this in a statement on Friday evening.

According to the statement , the incident occurred when a team of NDLEA operatives, acting on intelligence and surveillance report, raided an uncompleted building at NNPC area of Jahi where 74 bottles of codeine, 10 litres of codeine syrup, 48grams of tramadol 225mg and 4.9kilograms of skunk, a strain of cannabis, as well as five android phones were recovered.

The statement reads: “As the NDLEA team made their way out of the location, they came under gun attack.

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“Three of the NDLEA personnel involved in the raid sustained gunshot injuries: one in the rib and two others on their back and leg.

“The wounded officers were initially stabilized at the Police Clinic in Garki Area 1 before they were transferred to the National Hospital Abuja for further medical attention.

“Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) expressed appreciation to the staff of the Police Clinic for their prompt support. He also thanked the Chief Medical Director of the National Hospital who was personally reached by him for overseeing the treatment of the wounded officers.

“The NDLEA boss who is in Kano on official engagements also spoke on phone with the injured officers to wish them quick recovery. He assured them that the Agency will deploy every means at its disposal and work in collaboration with other security agencies to fish out those responsible for the attack on them.”

Barcelona will host Inter Milan at the iconic Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys on Wednesday evening for the highly anticipated first leg of their Champions League semifinal clash. The Spanish giants will look to take a strong step towards securing a place in the final, as they face off against the formidable Italian side in what promises to be a thrilling encounter. Both teams will be eager to make a statement in this crucial match, with Barcelona hoping to capitalize on home advantage and Inter aiming to build momentum ahead of the second leg.

Barcelona secured a dramatic Copa del Rey victory over Real Madrid at the weekend, with Jules Kounde’s extra-time goal giving Hansi Flick his second piece of silverware in his debut season. With Barcelona leading La Liga and still in the hunt for the Champions League, the quadruple remains a possibility.

However, to keep their European dreams alive, Barcelona must overcome Inter Milan in a challenging two-legged semifinal. While Barcelona’s attacking trio could find it tough to break down Simone Inzaghi’s solid defense, Inter’s recent struggles offer some hope. The Nerazzurri have lost their last three matches without scoring, and they’ll be cautious as they head to Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, aiming to secure a respectable result ahead of next week’s second leg at San Siro.

When, Where, Referee

Location: Barcelona, Spain

Stadium: Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys

Date: Wednesday April 30

Kick-off Time: 8:00pm

Referee: Clement Turpin (FRA)

VAR Jerome Brisard (FRA)  

Barcelona vs Inter head-to-head record (last five games)

Barcelona: 2 wins

Inter: 1 win

Draws: 2

Last meeting: Barcelona 3-3 Inter (12 October 2022) – Champions League

Current form (all competitions)

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Barcelona

Barcelona 3-2 Real Madrid (AET) – 26/04/25

Barcelona 1-0 Mallorca – 22/04/25

Barcelona 4-3 Celta Vigo – 19/04/25

Borussia Dortmund 3-1 Barcelona – 15/04/25

Leganes 0-1 Barcelona – 12/04/25

Inter Milan

Inter 0-1 Roma – 27/04/25

Inter 0-3 Milan – 23/04/25

Bologna 1-0 Inter – 20/03/25

Inter 2-2 Bayern Munich – 16/04/25

Inter 3-1 Cagliari – 12/04/25

How to Watch Barcelona vs Inter on TV

United States

Paramount+, TUDN.com, Univision NOW, TUDN App, ViX, CBS Sports Golazo, TUDN USA, Univision

United Kingdom

TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports Ultimate, discovery+, discovery+ App

Canada

DAZN Canada

Mexico

TNT Sports, MAX

Barcelona Predicted Lineup vs Inter

Barcelona predicted lineup vs Inter (4-2-3-1): Szczesny; Kounde, Cubarsi, Martinez, Martin; De Jong, Pedri; Yamal, Olmo, Raphinha; Torres.

Inter Predicted Lineup vs Barcelona

Inter predicted lineup vs Barcelona (3-5-2): Sommer; Bisseck, Acerbi, Bastoni; Dumfries, Mkhitaryan, Calhanoglu, Barella, Dimarco; Martinez, Thuram.

Prediction

Barcelona 2-1 Inter

…arrests trans-border drug trafficker with 8,740 ampoules of fentanyl injection, others

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it has arrested a 41-year-old ex-convict and Malaysian returnee, Ndubuisi Udatu (aka Richard) with 2700kg methamphetamine.

Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters Abuja, Femi Babafemi, who disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, said Ndubuisi was arrested inside a commercial transport bus at an NDLEA check point at Namtari along Ngurore -Yola road, Adamawa on Monday 7th April 2025. 

Babafemi said said the drugs were in four parcels concealed in two giant music speakers for distribution in Yola and Mubi, Adamawa State, and across the border into Cameroon.

According to the statement, he was found with two new music speakers used to conceal four packages of methamphetamine and monetary exhibit of N22,300.

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Babafemi said in his statement, the suspect claimed he returned to Nigeria to continue his illicit drug trade after serving out his jail term in Malaysia where he had been arrested, convicted and sent to prison for drug trafficking offences.

In another interdiction exercise, NDLEA officers in a joint border operation with Customs personnel at the Nigeria/Cameroon border, Mfum, Cross River state arrested a trans-border drug trafficker, 35-year-old Odoh Peter Ikechukwu, with 8,740 ampoules of assorted opioids, weighing 395kg.

They include: 1,080 ampoules of fentanyl injection, 2,160 ampoules of morphine sulphate injection, 3,010 ampoules of phenobarbital sulphate injection, 2,160 ampoules of pethidine injection, and 330 ampoules of midazolam injection.

The statement reads, “In Kano, NDLEA operatives on Friday 11th April 2025 arrested 27-year-old Aliyu Ibrahim with 20 ATM cards and 25,600 pills of tramadol 225mg and 250mg at Bachirawa area of Kano, while 48-year-old Gambo Lawan was nabbed in a follow up operation at Wazobia motor park, Gwagwalada FCT Abuja following the seizure of a consignment of 8,960 pills of tramadol by NDLEA officers on routine check along Gwagwalada expressway on Monday 7th April.

“Not less than 124 kilograms of skunk, a strain of cannabis, packaged in 11 jumbo bags were on Friday 11th April recovered from the boot of a Lexus car marked KTU 54 CU driven by a suspect, Ademiluyi Adedapo Collins, 58, along Mokwa-Jebba road, Niger state.

“Meanwhile, the NDLEA Commands across the country continued to balance their drug supply reduction operations with War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, social advocacy campaigns to schools, markets, worship centres and communities in the past week. 

“Some of these include: WADA sensitisation lecture delivered to students and staff of New Era Secondary School, Nteje, Anambra; Promise Land College, Ikotun Egbe, Lagos; Cherryfield College, Jikwoyi, FCT; Federal Polytechnic, Ayede, Ogbomoso, Oyo state; Nurul Faruq Islamic Academy, Gombi, Adamawa state, while the Kwara state command paid a WADA advocacy visit to Oloro of Oro kingdom, Oba Joel Olaniyi Oyatoye Titiloye Olufayo II, among others.

“While commending the efforts of the officers and men of Adamawa, Cross River, FCT, Kano and Niger State Commands of the Agency for job well done, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) tasked them and their compatriots nationwide not to rest on their oars but continue to raise the bar in their offensive action against drug cartels with an equal measure of drug demand reduction efforts,” the statement reads.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has destroyed heaps of illicit drugs weighing about 1.6 million kilograms of assorted illicit substances seized across Lagos, Ogun, and Oyo states by setting them ablaze.

According to a statement by Femi Babafemi, the Director of Media and Advocacy of NDLEA, Abuja, on Saturday, this is the largest volume of seizures to be set ablaze at a time in the agency’s history.

Babafemi said the public destruction of the illicit substances witnessed by representatives of government officials, traditional rulers, clergymen, other security agencies, international partners, non-governmental organisations, and community leaders, among others, was conducted at an isolated location at Ipara, along Lagos-Ibadan expressway, Ogun state on Saturday 12th April 2025.

According to Babafemi, some of the illicit drugs destroyed include 123 kilograms of cocaine; 46.8 kilograms of heroin; 1.4 million kilograms of cannabis; 148,000 kilograms of codeine syrup; 3,244.26 kilograms of tramadol; 1,544 kilograms of skuchies; and 111 kilograms of methamphetamine, among others.

Read Also: NDLEA arrests Indian lady with 72 parcels of heroin in chocolate wraps at Kano airport

Speaking at the occasion, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) said the exercise is a testament to the Agency’s steadfast commitment to tackling the scourge of drug trafficking in the country.

 “The sheer volume of seizures, which totals approximately 1.6 million kilograms, serves as a reminder of the grave danger these substances pose to public health until they are completely and irreversibly destroyed.

“The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) operates under a clear mandate to reduce these narcotics to rubble. At all times, we discharge this duty with the utmost seriousness and diligence”, he stated.

He warned those involved in drug trafficking that the times have changed and there will be no breathing space or any safe haven for them in Nigeria.

“At the NDLEA, we are fully prepared to pursue our objective of holding accountable those who defy the law. In the past four years, we have successfully prosecuted and convicted 10,572 such offenders, who are now serving various jail terms.”

He expressed appreciation to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, and Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo for their support for the Commands and operations of the Agency in their respective states.

The NDLEA boss who was represented at the occasion by the Agency’s Director of Assets and Financial Investigation (DAFI), Dr. Ibrahim Abdul, justified the public destruction of the confiscated drugs.

“The rationale is simple: to show transparency and accountability. By making this process open, we affirm our collective resolve against the insidious activities of illicit drug trafficking. This exercise is not merely symbolic—it is forensic, grounded in evidence. Random laboratory tests are carried out to confirm the authenticity of the seized items.