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Tag: NDLEA

  • Drug barons attack NDLEA officers, soldiers in Edo

    Drug barons attack NDLEA officers, soldiers in Edo

    Suspected drug lords have attacked operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and personnel of the Nigerian Army at Ukpuje town, Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State.

    An NDLEA official was injured in the attack.

    The attack made the team suspended an operation to raid drug kingpins in the area.

    Edo NDLEA commander, Mitchell Ofoyeju, who spoke in a statement, said ‘the community is notorious for cannabis cultivation and trafficking.’

    Ofoyeju said the combined team was attacked as they advanced through the town.

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    He said exchange of gunfire made the team to abort the operation.

    The statement reads: “A combined team of NDLEA and Army personnel came under attack on Monday at Ukpuje town, Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State.

    “Unfortunately, one officer was struck by a sharp object on the hand. This officer has since received medical attention and is expected to make a full recovery.

    “I commend the bravery of our officers and the army personnel involved. Our mission here is to ensure that illegal drug activities are disrupted, particularly in areas notorious for drug cultivation.

    “Although we faced resistance, we are grateful that no life was lost, and our team was able to carry out the operation efficiently.”

  • Drug barons attack NDLEA officers, soldiers in Edo

    Drug barons attack NDLEA officers, soldiers in Edo

    Suspected drug lords have attacked operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and personnel of the Nigerian Army at Ukpuje town, Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State.

    An NDLEA official was injured in the attack.

    The attack made the team suspended an operation to raid drug kingpins in the area.

    Edo NDLEA commander, Mitchell Ofoyeju, who spoke in a statement, said ‘the community notorious for cannabis cultivation and trafficking.’

    Ofoyeju said the combined team was attacked as they advanced through the town.

    He said exchange of gunfire made the team to abort the operation.

    The statement reads: “A combined team of NDLEA and Army personnel came under attack on Monday at Ukpuje town, Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State.

    “Unfortunately, one officer was struck by a sharp object on the hand. This officer has since received medical attention and is expected to make a full recovery.

    “I commend the bravery of our officers and the army personnel involved. Our mission here is to ensure that illegal drug activities are disrupted, particularly in areas notorious for drug cultivation.

    “Although we faced resistance, we are grateful that no life was lost, and our team was able to carry out the operation efficiently.”

  • NDLEA maintains presence at Proxy night club after drug raid

    NDLEA maintains presence at Proxy night club after drug raid

    Days after operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) stormed Proxy Night Club in Victoria Island, Lagos, arresting over 100 persons during an alleged drug party, the once-bustling area wears an unusual calm.

    A visit to the club’s location at 7 Akin Adesola Street, flanked by W-Motors Jetour, Sims Digital Centre, and Suzuki CFAO Mobility Motors, revealed NDLEA officials still stationed at the premises. 

    The road leading to the club, which was previously lively with nightlife activities, was notably quiet.

    During the visit, security personnel at Sims Digital Centre and Suzuki CFAO Mobility Motors declined comments, saying they were unaware of the ongoing situation inside the club.

    However, a security guard at W-Motors Jetour, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described their relationship with Proxy as “strictly business.”

    “We usually park our cars for display at the front of their gate. It’s a club, and different people come there. It’s difficult to know if something illegal was going on because they were just running their business like us,” he said.

    A vulcanizer in the area, Segun, told The Nation that he was not around when NDLEA operatives raided the club but confirmed noticing increased movement around the premises before the incident.

    “There have been many young people coming and going every day,” he said.

    According to Joshua, who works within the area, activities at the club often drew different crowds, especially on its operational days.

    “Proxy has always been like this. They open about four times a week. You will see different people coming in with drinks—sometimes wrapped up. It’s always been quiet, though,” he noted.

    NDLEA spokesman Femi Babafemi confirmed that the raid followed credible intelligence on a planned drug party at the club. According to him, operatives infiltrated the event around 11 p.m. on Saturday, October 25, and disrupted the gathering at about 3 a.m. the following day.

    He added that cartons of illicit substances, including Loud (a potent strain of cannabis) and nitrous oxide (commonly known as laughing gas), were recovered from the venue, while all arrested persons are currently being profiled and screened in custody.

     The once-vibrant Proxy Night Club now stands under the watchful eyes of NDLEA officials. 

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  • NDLEA arrests Pretty Mike, 100 others over drug party

    NDLEA arrests Pretty Mike, 100 others over drug party

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has raided Proxy Night Club in Victoria Island, Lagos, arresting over 100 persons, including popular socialite Mike Eze Nwalie Nwogu, better known as Pretty Mike, during a drug party in the early hours of yesterday.

    Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Femi Babafemi, in a statement, said the raid followed credible intelligence about a planned drug party at the club, located at 7 Akin Adesola Street, Victoria Island.

    He said NDLEA operatives infiltrated the event around 11 p.m. on Saturday, October 25, and disrupted the gathering at about 3 a.m., acting on standard operating procedures.

    Cartons of illicit substances, including Loud (a potent strain of cannabis) and nitrous oxide (commonly known as laughing gas), were recovered from the club’s store and from suspects at the venue. All the individuals arrested are currently being profiled and screened in custody.

    Meanwhile, in a separate operation, NDLEA operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos, uncovered 70 parcels of cocaine weighing 3.6 kilograms, concealed in body cream containers and destined for the United Kingdom, he said.

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    The consignment, disguised as personal effects and bound for London aboard an Air Peace flight on October 14, was presented for export by a cargo agent, Lawal Mustapha Olakunle, who was promptly arrested, the statement indicated.

    Further investigations led to the arrest of Ogunmuyide Taiwo Deborah, a healthcare worker, and Mutiu Adebayo Adebiyi, Chief Executive Officer of Mutiu Adebiyi and Co Travel Agency, who were both linked to the drug shipment.

    Similarly, Babafemi said NDLEA operatives at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport (AIIA), Enugu, intercepted a 35-year-old Lesotho national, Lemena Mark, attempting to export 103.59 grams of methamphetamine concealed in a diabetic coffee-tea pack to the Philippines via Ethiopian Airlines on October 22.

    In Kwara State, the agency arrested Umar Abubakar, 40, at Bode Saadu, Moro Local Government Area, after discovering 21,950 capsules of Tramadol 250mg hidden inside a 100-litre water heater on October 21.

    The agency also made multiple arrests in other states. In Taraba, Auwal Musa, 26, and Salihu Bala, 22, were arrested at the Dan-Anacha checkpoint with 450,000 pills of Tramadol and Exol-5, while transporting the drugs from Onitsha, Anambra State, to Mubi, Adamawa State.

    NDLEA patrols along the Okene–Lokoja highway in Kogi State seized 162.2 kilograms of skunk on October 24, and another 128 kilograms were recovered from Abubakar Muhammad, 55, in Keffi, Nasarawa State, two days earlier, the statement disclosed.

    In Lagos, a mother of two, Oyonumoh Glory Effiong, was arrested at her Lekki residence on October 17 with 500 grams of Canadian and California Loud, which she distributed to clients across Lekki, Ajah, Ikoyi, Victoria Island, and VGC. Another suspect, Ogunyabo Adenigbigbe, was arrested at Solomade Estate, Ikorodu, where operatives recovered 275 litres of “skuchies”, a psychoactive mixture made from blackcurrant drink, cannabis, and opioids.

    In Abia State, a 75-year-old man, Echendu Onuoka, was arrested at Ovum village, Obingwa LGA, with 4.7 kilograms of skunk, while a 60-year-old woman, Aukana John, was caught with 225 grams of the same substance at Apanta village.

    Further operations led to the seizure of 150 kilograms of skunk during a raid at Lot Camp, Ikun Akoko, Ondo State. In Kaduna, Bashir Mohammad, 50, and Samini Ahmed Tijjani, 35, were arrested with 234.5 kilograms of cannabis, while two others — Isah Usman, 50, and Salvation Okoler, 18 — were nabbed with 8,600 pills of Tramadol 225mg and Rohypnol along the Abuja–Kaduna highway.

    The statement indicated that at the Seme border, Jacob Ojugbele was arrested with 55 kilograms of skunk at Ashipa, Badagry, while Amusa Oluwabukola was caught with 121.3 litres of skuchies at Itoga, Badagry.

    In Zamfara State, NDLEA operatives on patrol along the Gummi–Anka road on October 20 arrested Abubakar Ibrahim, 30, with an AK-47 rifle and 1,746 rounds of ammunition meant for AK-47 and GPMG rifles. He was allegedly transporting the weapons from Sokoto to Bagega forest in Anka LGA. The suspect and the recovered items have been handed over to the appropriate security agency for further investigation, Babafemi said.

    Meanwhile, the agency’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign continued nationwide, with sensitization programmes held in schools, religious institutions, and workplaces across Oyo, Kebbi, Enugu, Benue, Taraba, Rivers, and Kano States.

    Babafemi added that NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended officers of the MMIA, AIIA, Lagos, Kwara, Abia, Nasarawa, Kogi, Ondo, Anambra, Taraba, Kaduna, Seme, and Zamfara commands for their successful operations and urged them to sustain the agency’s balanced and robust approach to drug control across the country.

  • Reality star Ike prays for Tuoyo amid NDLEA arrest

    Reality star Ike prays for Tuoyo amid NDLEA arrest

    Former Big Brother Naija housemate Ike Onyema has defended Tuoyo Ideh, praying for divine intervention and justice in the wake of his arrest during the NDLEA‘s raid on Proxy Nightclub.

    In a prayer shared on social media, Ike called upon God to defend Tuoyo, surround him with peace, and expose any injustice or evil surrounding his arrest.

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    He also prayed for Tuoyo’s freedom, healing, and restoration, both physically and spiritually.

    Onyema wrote: “Heavenly Father, We lift up Tuoyo who has been wronged and mistreated by those meant to protect. You are the God of justice rise and defend the innocent. Surround him with your peace in this storm, with your strength in his pain, and with Your light in the darkness of injustice.

    “Lord, expose the truth let every lie crumble and every hidden evil be revealed. Bring him freedom, healing, and restoration body, mind, and spirit. May Your mercy always shine through so that those who abuse power may be humbled and transformed. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen”.

  • NDLEA raids Lagos nightclub, arrests Pretty Mike, others over drug party

    NDLEA raids Lagos nightclub, arrests Pretty Mike, others over drug party

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has raided Proxy Night Club in Victoria Island, Lagos, arresting over 100 persons, including popular socialite Mike Eze Nwalie Nwogu, better known as Pretty Mike, during a drug party in the early hours of Sunday.

    Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Femi Babafemi, who made this known in a statement on Sunday, said the raid followed credible intelligence about a planned drug party at the club, located at 7 Akin Adesola Street, Victoria Island. 

    He said NDLEA operatives infiltrated the event around 11 p.m. on Saturday, October 25, and disrupted the gathering at about 3 a.m., acting on standard operating procedures.

    Cartons of illicit substances, including Loud (a potent strain of cannabis) and nitrous oxide (commonly known as laughing gas), were recovered from the club’s store and from suspects at the venue. All the individuals arrested are currently being profiled and screened in custody.

    In a separate operation, NDLEA operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos, uncovered 70 parcels of cocaine weighing 3.6 kilograms, concealed in body cream containers and destined for the United Kingdom, he said.  

    The consignment, disguised as personal effects and bound for London aboard an Air Peace flight on October 14, was presented for export by a cargo agent, Lawal Mustapha Olakunle, who was promptly arrested, the statement indicated. 

    Further investigations led to the arrest of Ogunmuyide Taiwo Deborah, a healthcare worker, and Mutiu Adebayo Adebiyi, Chief Executive Officer of Mutiu Adebiyi and Co Travel Agency, who were both linked to the drug shipment.

    Babafemi also said NDLEA operatives at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport (AIIA), Enugu, intercepted a 35-year-old Lesotho national, Lemena Mark, attempting to export 103.59 grams of methamphetamine concealed in a diabetic coffee-tea pack to the Philippines via Ethiopian Airlines on October 22.

    In Kwara State, the agency arrested Umar Abubakar, 40, at Bode Saadu, Moro Local Government Area, after discovering 21,950 capsules of Tramadol 250mg hidden inside a 100-litre water heater on October 21.

    The agency also made multiple arrests in other states. In Taraba, Auwal Musa, 26, and Salihu Bala, 22, were arrested at the Dan-Anacha checkpoint with 450,000 pills of Tramadol and Exol-5, while transporting the drugs from Onitsha, Anambra State, to Mubi, Adamawa State.

    NDLEA patrols along the Okene–Lokoja highway in Kogi State seized 162.2 kilograms of skunk on October 24, and another 128 kilograms were recovered from Abubakar Muhammad, 55, in Keffi, Nasarawa State, two days earlier, the statement disclosed. 

    In Lagos, a mother of two, Oyonumoh Glory Effiong, was arrested at her Lekki residence on October 17 with 500 grams of Canadian and California Loud, which she distributed to clients across Lekki, Ajah, Ikoyi, Victoria Island, and VGC. Another suspect, Ogunyabo Adenigbigbe, was arrested at Solomade Estate, Ikorodu, where operatives recovered 275 litres of “skuchies”, a psychoactive mixture made from blackcurrant drink, cannabis, and opioids.

    In Abia State, a 75-year-old man, Echendu Onuoka, was arrested at Ovum village, Obingwa LGA, with 4.7 kilograms of skunk, while a 60-year-old woman, Aukana John, was caught with 225 grams of the same substance at Apanta village.

    Further operations led to the seizure of 150 kilograms of skunk during a raid at Lot Camp, Ikun Akoko, Ondo State. In Kaduna, Bashir Mohammad, 50, and Samini Ahmed Tijjani, 35, were arrested with 234.5 kilograms of cannabis, while two others — Isah Usman, 50, and Salvation Okoler, 18 — were nabbed with 8,600 pills of Tramadol 225mg and Rohypnol along the Abuja–Kaduna highway.

    The statement indicated that at the Seme border, Jacob Ojugbele was arrested with 55 kilograms of skunk at Ashipa, Badagry, while Amusa Oluwabukola was caught with 121.3 litres of skuchies at Itoga, Badagry.

    In Zamfara State, NDLEA operatives on patrol along the Gummi–Anka road on October 20 arrested Abubakar Ibrahim, 30, with an AK-47 rifle and 1,746 rounds of ammunition meant for AK-47 and GPMG rifles. He was allegedly transporting the weapons from Sokoto to Bagega forest in Anka LGA. The suspect and the recovered items have been handed over to the appropriate security agency for further investigation, Babafemi said.

    Meanwhile, the agency’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign continued nationwide, with sensitization programmes held in schools, religious institutions, and workplaces across Oyo, Kebbi, Enugu, Benue, Taraba, Rivers, and Kano States.

    Babafemi added that NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended officers of the MMIA, AIIA, Lagos, Kwara, Abia, Nasarawa, Kogi, Ondo, Anambra, Taraba, Kaduna, Seme, and Zamfara Commands for their successful operations and urged them to sustain the agency’s balanced and robust approach to drug control across the country.

  • NDLEA launches online portal for drug integrity test, visa clearance certificate

    NDLEA launches online portal for drug integrity test, visa clearance certificate

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has launched a digital platform that will make its drug integrity test and visa clearance processes seamless, more accessible and ultimately curb the scourge of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in Nigeria.

    Unveiling the portal at a press conference to flag off the digitisation of the Agency’s Drug Integrity Test and Visa E-Administration System (DITViCAS) on Tuesday in Abuja, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), said it marks “a paradigm shift in our fight against the scourge of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking, a moment where enforcement meets efficiency, and commitment merges with cutting-edge technology.”

    Marwa, who was represented by the Agency’s Secretary Shadrach Haruna, said in line with the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Agency has maintained an aggressive, balanced, and uncompromising approach to tackling the scourge of illicit substances, with focus on two critical fronts: Drug Supply Reduction and Drug Demand Reduction.

    “For years, the process of obtaining an NDLEA Visa Clearance Certificate, required by certain source and transit countries, has been characterized by documentation, physical appearances, and lengthy verification cycles. This manual process was no doubt prone to human interference, delays, and a host of other issues.

    “With the flag-off of the Online Visa Clearance Portal today, we are bringing an end to those bottlenecks. The system delivers automation across all processes and operations associated with the administration of the Drug Integrity Test and Visa Clearance with interfaces for effective collaboration with partner agencies.

    Read Also: NDLEA clarifies position on cannabis oil export

    “It is also important to note that we have made provision on the system for private medical centres to partner with the agency as accredited centres for Drug Integrity Test. The system brings efficiency, flexibility and convenience to the process. Following this ceremony, applicants for Drug Integrity Test and Visa Clearance can now apply from home and choose any preferred location and book a date convenient and available for both applicant and the desk officer of the NDLEA without having to go and wait the whole day at the NDLEA office.

    “With the E-Certification and Verification system, it also eliminates drug and visa clearance certificate falsifications and establishes the reliability and transparency of the process with supervisory dashboards across our commands, formations and at the headquarters. 

    “The extension of the service to students of tertiary institutions, and others is to significantly foster drug demand reduction across the country without any attempt to stigmatize any student or anyone, while our rehabilitation and counselling centres are open for those who test positive to ensure that no one is left without care.”

    Speaking further on the essence of the platform, the NDLEA boss explained:“The portal integrates sophisticated background check protocols, ensuring that the certificate remains a robust security instrument that safeguards Nigeria’s international reputation and prevents drug syndicates from exploiting legitimate travel channels. This is a commitment to the Nigerian citizen: a commitment to stress-free, integrity-driven public service delivery.

    “All applicants need to do is logon to the portal (www.drugandvisa.ndlea.gov.ng), create an account and apply from anywhere and book appointment at any available centre for either Drug Integrity Test or Visa Clearance, while the system generates drug test certificates on the spot as the desk officer completes the testing process and reports the result, with the Visa Clearance process completed within three days or maximum a week in peculiar circumstances.”

  • NDLEA’s position on cannabis oil

    NDLEA’s position on cannabis oil

    Sir: When reports surfaced that the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) had “approved” the export of cannabis oil, it quickly stirred debate and confusion across Nigeria’s policy and public health circles. A closer look, however, shows that the agency’s remarks were not an endorsement of cannabis use or a sign of legalization, but a scientific contribution to an ongoing national discussion.

    What really happened? The controversy began after NDLEA chairman and chief executive, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd.), spoke at a workshop organized by the Nigerian Academy of Science (NAS) in Abuja. During his presentation on the prospects of cannabis oil export, Marwa said the agency was “not averse to the controlled and regulated export of cannabis oil” for international markets, while maintaining its opposition to local use in line with existing law and the country’s high rate of drug abuse.

    His comments, made in a scientific forum, were intended as an academic opinion — not a policy announcement.

    Globally, several countries have explored the medicinal and economic potential of cannabis oil, particularly CBD — a non-psychoactive compound known for its therapeutic value. But Nigeria’s context is unique. The country’s drug abuse prevalence stands at 14.4 percent — nearly three times the global average, according to the 2018 National Drug Use Survey. Cannabis remains the most abused substance, with about 10.6 million users nationwide.

    Given these figures, the NDLEA’s cautious approach is rooted in public health realities. Premature legalization or commercial production could worsen addiction and mental health challenges already straining Nigeria’s healthcare system.

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    Cannabis oil is extracted from the cannabis plant and contains cannabinoids — mainly THC (the psychoactive compound responsible for the “high”) and CBD (the non-psychoactive compound used for medical purposes in some countries).

    While CBD oil has recognized therapeutic benefits, products containing THC remain tightly controlled worldwide because of their potential for abuse. The NDLEA’s position, therefore, is that cannabis oil should be discussed only in the context of scientific research and possible regulated export — not local use or open trade.

    The NDLEA’s position is, therefore, not about legalizing cannabis — it’s about understanding it.

    By promoting open dialogue and commissioning research, the agency is ensuring that when Nigeria eventually decides on cannabis policy, it will do so with facts, not assumptions; with science, not speculation. In simple terms, NDLEA’s message is clear: Nigeria must “learn before it decides.”

    •As-Sayyidul Arafat Abdulrazaq,as.sayyid21@gmail.com.

  • Businessman excretes 127 cocaine wraps as NDLEA uncovers meth in ceramics

    Businessman excretes 127 cocaine wraps as NDLEA uncovers meth in ceramics

    A 52-year-old businessman, Godwin Emeka Ejiofor, has been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) Kano for concealing  127 wraps of cocaine  in his stomach.

    The cocaine wraps were  recovered after days under excretion observation.

    Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, Femi Babafemi, said this in a statement yesterday.

    Babafemi said Ejiofor who operates boutiques in Lagos and Onitsha, Anambra state, was taken into NDLEA custody upon his arrival from Bangkok, Thailand via Ethiopian Airlines flight ET 941 on Wednesday following credible intelligence.

    According to the statement, he was taken for body scan which confirmed he ingested illicit drugs and had some concealed in his private part.

    Babafemi said “a total of 58 wraps of cocaine were immediately recovered from his pant after which he was taken for excretion observation during which he egested 69 pellets of cocaine in seven excretions bringing the total number of wraps of the class A drug recovered from him to 127 weighing 1.388 kilograms.”

    Babafemi said three consignments of illicit drugs heading to the United Kingdom UK) were on Thursday and Friday intercepted at a courier company in Lagos by NDLEA operatives.

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    “One of the shipments, 1.74 kg of methamphetamine was recovered from blocks of glass ceramics, while another shipment contains 114 grams and 168 grams of pentazocine and tramadol injections respectively just as the third consignment contains 48 grams of tramadol capsules concealed in Vitamin C container, all going to the UK. Bids by another set of criminal syndicates to ship 2.6kg skunk and 422grams tapentadol 250mg concealed in tablets of black soap heading to Turkey; 169 grams of cocaine hidden in lady’s handbags going to Australia and 568 grams of Loud, a strong strain of cannabis concealed in containers of herbs going to United Arab Emirates were thwarted by NDLEA operatives at some courier companies in Lagos,” Babafemi said.

    He added a total of 27,510 pills of rohypnol concealed in sachets of alcoholic drinks going to South Africa have been intercepted by NDLEA officers at the export shed of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) Ikeja Lagos.

    Babafemi said after the initial arrest of a freight agent and a cab driver linked to the shipment, a follow up operation at Oyingbo market in Lagos led to the arrest of the mastermind, 46-year-old Samuel Omoruyi (alias Yellow) on October 2nd.

    The Spokesman said same day, an Italy-based businessman Enehizena Augustine Uyimwen, was arrested by operatives while attempting to export 3,700 pills of tramadol 225mg and 2,600 tabs of tapentadol 200mg hidden in food items to the European country.

    Uyinwen claimed he was trafficking the opioids for someone else for a fee of €945

  • Businessman excretes 127 cocaine wraps at MAKIA as NDLEA uncovers meth in ceramics

    Businessman excretes 127 cocaine wraps at MAKIA as NDLEA uncovers meth in ceramics

    A 52-year-old businessman, Ejiofor Godwin Emeka, has been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano, following which a total of 127 wraps of cocaine concealed in his stomach have been recovered after days under excretion observation.

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

    Babafemi said Ejiofor, who operates boutiques in Lagos and Onitsha, Anambra state, was taken into NDLEA custody upon his arrival from Bangkok, Thailand via Ethiopian Airlines flight ET 941 on Wednesday, 8th October 2025, following credible intelligence.

    According to the statement, he was taken for a body scan, which confirmed he had ingested illicit drugs and had some concealed in his private parts.

    Babafemi said, “A total of 58 wraps of cocaine were immediately recovered from his pants after which he was taken for excretion observation during which he egested 69 pellets of cocaine in seven excretions, bringing the total number of wraps of the class A drug recovered from him to 127, weighing 1.388 kilograms.”

    Read Also: NDLEA clarifies position on cannabis oil export

    Babafemi said three consignments of illicit drugs heading to the United Kingdom were on Thursday, 9th, and Friday, 10th October intercepted at a courier company in Lagos by NDLEA operatives.

    “One of the shipments, 1.74 kg of methamphetamine, was recovered from blocks of glass ceramics, while another shipment contains 114 grams and 168 grams of pentazocine and tramadol injections, respectively, just as the third consignment contains 48 grams of tramadol capsules concealed in a Vitamin C container, all going to the UK. Bids by another set of criminal syndicates to ship 2.6kg skunk and 422grams tapentadol 250mg concealed in tablets of black soap heading to Turkey; 169 grams of cocaine hidden in lady’s handbags going to Australia and 568 grams of Loud, a strong strain of cannabis concealed in containers of herbs going to United Arab Emirates were thwarted by NDLEA operatives at some courier companies in Lagos,” Babafemi said.

    He added that, meanwhile, a total of 27,510 pills of Rohypnol concealed in sachets of alcoholic drinks going to South Africa have been intercepted by NDLEA officers at the export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos.

    Babafemi said after the initial arrest of a freight agent and a cab driver linked to the shipment, a follow-up operation at Oyingbo market in Lagos led to the arrest of the mastermind, 46-year-old Samuel Omoruyi (alias Yellow), on 2nd October.

    The Spokesman said the same day, an Italy-based businessman, Enehizena Augustine Uyimwen, was arrested by operatives while attempting to export 3,700 pills of tramadol 225mg and 2,600 tabs of tapentadol 200mg hidden in food items to the European country.

    Uyinwen claimed he was trafficking the opioids for someone else for a fee of Nine Hundred and Forty-Five Euros (€945).

    The statement reads, “In Edo state, a raid of the home of a suspect, Emmanuel Sunday, 33, at Ugbekpe Ekperi in Etsako Central LGA led to the recovery of 47kg skunk, a strain of cannabis. Two suspects: Nureni Ayobami Eleweodo, 48, and Oladejo Taiwo, 52, were on Wednesday, 8th October arrested at Omifufun village, Ife South LGA, Osun state, following the seizure of 635 kilograms of skunk from their Toyota Hiace bus marked DDA65ZY.

    “Two other suspects: Timothy Omiwole, 41, and Isaac Achiatan, 36, were nabbed at the same location with 100kg skunk recovered from them along with their motorcycle. While Okoro Julius, 20, and Onyebuchi Nwibo, 25, were arrested in different parts of Port Harcourt, Rivers state in connection with the seizure of 8.5kg skunk on Friday, 10th October, Sulaiman Kalalu, 46, was nabbed after 29.5kg of the same substance was found in his house at Bayan Asiti, Jibia town, Katsina state on Saturday, 11th October.

    “In Niger state, NDLEA officers on Wednesday, 8th October arrested Yisa Daniel, 29, at New Bussa, where 22,000 capsules of tramadol, 800 ampoules of pentazocine injection, and 150,000 pills of Exol-5 were seized from him. A total of 312kg skunk was recovered from a bush at Ologede camp, Ogbese, Ondo state, while operatives on patrol along the Benin-Lagos expressway on Thursday, 9th October, intercepted two suspects: Francis John, 39, and Adeyemi Taiwo, 46, in a car conveying 141.8kg of skunk. In Kaduna, a suspect, Rufai Ahmed, 27 (alias Farin Malam), was nabbed at Abuja/Kaduna toll gate while conveying 150,000 pills of exol-5 from Lagos to Katsina.

    “In like manner, Commands and formations of the Agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization activities to schools, worship centres, workplaces, and communities, among others, in the past week.

    “These include: WADA sensitization lecture to students and staff of General Murtala Mohammed College, Yola, Adamawa; Assembly of God Secondary School, Abakaliki, Ebonyi; Community Girls Secondary School, Bakori, Katsina; Girls Secondary School, Nenwe, Awgu LGA, Enugu; Day Secondary School, Tungan Mallam, Paikoro LGA, Niger; Sacred Heart Secondary School, Kabba, Kogi; Ebenezer Model Secondary School, Onitsha, Anambra; Government Secondary School, Borikiri, Rivers; Government Junior Secondary School, Wakili Bawa, Ungoggo LGA, Kano; and Baptist High School, Ede, Osun state, among others.

    “While commending the officers and men of MMIA, MAKIA, DOGI, Kano, Edo, Rivers, Kaduna, Katsina, Niger, Ondo, and Osun Commands of the Agency for the arrests and seizures, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) urged them and their compatriots across the country to maintain their tenacity, professionalism and balanced approach to the drug control efforts of the Agency.”