Three weeks after escaping arrest at his home at Anguwan Matera, Kuta, Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, a notorious supplier of illicit drugs to bandits in the area, 33-year-old Mohammed Sani (alias Gamboli), has been arrested by National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at his hideout.
Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, Femi Babafemi, broke the news in a statement yesterday.
Babafemi said following credible intelligence about the illicit drug activities of Gamboli, NDLEA operatives had on November 20, this year, raided his house at Anguwan Makera, where they recovered 471.8 kilograms of skunk, a strain of cannabis.
He said though Sani escaped arrest during the raid and had since been in hiding, the manhunt for him eventually paid off last Thursday, when NDLEA officers acting on intelligence traced and arrested him at one of his drug joints in Anguwan Fadama, Kuta.
Babafemi said intelligence reports had indicated that Gamboli is a major supplier of illicit drugs to bandits operating in Shiroro Local Government Area.
The NDLEA, Delta State Command has busted a warehouse in Asaba, the state capital, operated by drug syndicate and seized illicit drugs worth over N150 million.
The state NDLEA Commander, Dr. Halilu Hamidu, made this known during a press conference in Asaba at the weekend to review the activities of the agency in the year.
Beside the seizure of the narcotics, the agency noted that its operatives had impounded other dangerous substances such as cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, worth over N3billion in the state between January and December 12.
Hamidu assured residents that the Command had launched an aggressive manhunt to identify, track, and arrest the masterminds behind the storage and trafficking of the drugs.
Specifically, the Commander said on December 6, operatives, acting on high-grade intelligence, stormed a warehouse at Oko Market, Asaba, uncovering a stockpile of illicit drugs primed for distribution across the state.
He added that NDLEA officers in Abia State last Thursday raided a clandestine codeine syrup-manufacturing factory at Amapu Igbengwo village, Umuakpara, in Osisioma Local Government Area of the state and recovered a total of 9,015 bottles of codeine syrup weighing 1,152.2kg.
In Enugu State, operatives last Thursday too arrested Ossai Emeka, 45, on Onitsha-Enugu Ezike Road with 7.2kg skunk, while Enoje Agada, 40, was nabbed along Enugu-Ezike -Ette Road with 94.6kg of same psychoactive substance.
At a notorious drug joint known as “Beere the California” at Ido in Oyo State, 3.4kg skunk, 1.6kg Colorado, a synthetic cannabis and 400grams of methamphetamine were seized by the agency. The owner of the drug joint identified as “Idowu the killer” is at large while a suspect Ajibade Faruk was nabbed at the joint.
At Idi Oro, Elekuro, Ibadan last Friday, Olusanya Abosede, 35, 238.4kg skunk was seized.
Babafemi said while Bashiru Babalola, 43, and Ugunwale Ranti, 50, were arrested on December 10 at Gbaji Checkpoint, Seme Road Badagry, Lagos with 50,000 pills of tramadol 250mg, the agency’s operatives in Ogun State arrested two suspects – Akinwale Makanjuola and Joseph Owolabi – with 73kg skunk at Iperu.
He added that another suspect Wasiu Lateef was nabbed with 25kg of same substance at Oke Agbede, Imeko area of the state on December 9.
He said: “In Ondo State, NDLEA officers acting on credible intelligence on Monday 10th December raided a compound in Ogbese, Akure North Local Government Area, where they arrested a 55-year-old woman Veronica Obi and her 29-year-old son Bright Obi, and recovered 1,187 kilograms of skunk and its seeds from them.
“A suspect Ohiomah Igbafe, 44, was arrested during a raid operation at Uroe community, Owan East Local Government Area of Edo State, where 461kg skunk and its seeds were recovered on December 9.
“In Gombe State, a suspect Muhammed Sani (alias Sha-Mu-Sha), 50, was arrested with 40,000 capsules of tramadol at Tunfure area, Gombe, while two other suspects: Muhammad Abdullahi (a.k.a Sakalala), 52, and Muhammed Hamza (a.k.a Mamman), 32, were nabbed at Ashaka Jalingo, with 56kg skunk on December 8.
“No fewer than 907 pills of tramadol, tapentadol, cocodamol, amitriptyline and bromazepam concealed in containers of local black soap, and designer wears, in six different consignments going to the U.S., Canada and Sweden were intercepted and seized by NDLEA operatives at two major courier companies in Lagos between December 9 and 10, 2025.”
Babafemi said at the Apapa seaport in Lagos, NDLEA officers last Saturday intercepted a consignment of 170,000 bottles of codeine syrup weighing 23,579kg during an examination of a container with men of Customs Service and other security agencies.
Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd) commended the officers and enjoined them and their colleagues across the country to continue with the drug control efforts of the agency.
According to him, the raid led to the recovery of large quantities of Tramadol, Rohypnol, Hypnox, Diazepam, Exol-5, Codeine, and other highly dangerous substances.
Hamidu described the discovery as shocking and disturbing, particularly as families and communities prepare for the festive season. He warned that the circulation of these drugs represents a grave threat to public safety, youth wellbeing, and social stability, stressing that the warehouse had the potential to unleash a wave of addiction, crime, and untold tragedy across the state and beyond.
Hamidu emphasised that the operation sends a message: the command remains resolute in its mission to safeguard Delta.
He added that throughout the Yuletide and beyond, security operatives would continue to act decisively to ensure the safety, stability, and security of the state, regardless of the challenges they face.
The commander noted that the Command, in partnership with the State Drug Control Committee (SDCC), had strengthened youth-focused drug education by establishing War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) clubs in secondary schools across the state.
He said: “These clubs serve as safe-learning spaces where students are empowered with practical knowledge, guidance, and support to resist drug use.
“They help young people build confidence, make better decisions, and understand the long-term consequences of substance abuse in simple, relatable terms.
“Our sensitisation efforts also reached the NYSC Orientation Camp, tertiary institutions, religious organisations, workplaces, and various community gatherings.
“In each engagement, we meet people where they are: families, youths, workers, and community leaders helping them understand the risks of drug abuse and how to protect those they care about. These outreach activities continue to strengthen community awareness, encourage collective responsibility, and build a more informed and resilient Delta State.”
Hamidu said between January and December, this year, the command’s Drug Demand Reduction Unit counselled to 704 individuals struggling with drug dependency (480 males and 224 females).
In addition, he indicated that 14 clients were admitted for counselling and rehabilitation.
He acknowledged the indispensable support received from the state government, the military, sister law enforcement agencies, traditional institutions, religious bodies, educational institutions, media partners, youth associations, NGOs and civil society organisations, saying their partnership remains fundamental to the progress they have made.
He stated: “The command remains firmly committed to strengthening its operations throughout Delta State. Our focus is to work hand in hand with all relevant stakeholders to build an environment where drugs are harder to access, harder to distribute, and far less attractive to potential users.
“By reducing both the demand for drugs and the supply channels that feed abuse, we aim to protect our communities and support healthier, more productive lives for our people.
“This drive is fully aligned with the vision of the current administration and directly supports the successful implementation of the M.O.R.E Agenda. With continued cooperation from government bodies, security agencies, traditional institutions, and community groups, the State can move closer to achieving lasting safety and social stability.
“Furthermore, under the strong leadership and national direction of the Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Brig.-Gen Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd.), the fight against drug abuse and trafficking continues to gain momentum.
“His commitment and strategic guidance have strengthened our operations nationwide, and the Delta State Command stands ready to intensify the battle even further in line with his vision for a drug-free Nigeria.’’
