Tag: The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted consignments of illicit drugs concealed in frozen snails, electrical bulbs and female clothes heading to the United States, United Kingdom and Democratic Republic of Congo have been intercepted by operatives of the at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) and a courier company in Lagos.

Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, Femi Babafemi, who disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, said at least, two suspects linked to attempts to export the illicit substances have already been taken into custody. 

Babafemi said one of them, a cargo agent Boladale Riliwan was arrested on 7^th October 2025 following the discovery of 15 parcels of skunk, a strain of cannabis, concealed in 10 pieces of giant rechargeable electrical bulbs he presented in a carton for airfreight to Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) at the export shed of the Lagos airport.

He said another suspect in custody is 48-year-old Olawale Oyebola Hakeemot who is a UK-based Public Health Assistant. 

According to the statement, she was arrested on Sunday 12^th October at the departure hall of terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja following the discovery of  frozen snails used to conceal 2,300 pills of tramadol 225mg in her luggage while heading to Manchester, United Kingdom, on a Qatar Airways flight.

Babafemi said an attempt by another syndicate to export 810 pills of bromazepam hidden in female clothes going to the United States was also thwarted by NDLEA officers at a courier company in Lagos on Thursday 16^th October.

The Agency’s Spokesman said in Adamawa, a suspect Bello Buba was intercepted at an NDLEA check point in Namtari, Yola South LGA with 38,270 pills of tramadol concealed in the spare tyre, boot, and door compartments of his Honda Civic car he drove all the way from Benin Republic to smuggle the consignment into Nigeria on Sunday 12^th October.

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The statement read: ‎”He said not less than 53,250 kilograms of skunk were destroyed on 21.3 hectares of cannabis farm in Ilawe Ekiti, Ekiti state, with 70 bags of the same psychoactive substance weighing 1,140kg recovered by NDLEA operatives during an operation that lasted between Sunday 12th and Monday 13th October. 

“Suspects arrested include: Matthew Emmanuel, 26; James Moses, 27; and Israel Samuel, 20. This followed the destruction of 17,400kg skunk on 6.96 hectares of plantation by NDLEA operatives at Aponmu forest reserve, Akure, Ondo state on Sunday 12^th October.

“‎In Oyo state, Aliyu Muhammed, 50; Babarinde Segun,32; Ogunbiyi Sanjo, 30; and Ajani Oluro,30, were nabbed with 596kg skunk at Apata-Ako, Igboora, while Jacob Afolabi, 30, and Salako Oluwatobi, 25, were arrested with 273kg  of same substance at Odo-Oyan, Igangan, on Thursday 16^th October.

“While Joseph Andrew was arrested in possession of 88kg skunk on Wednesday 15th October by NDLEA operatives at Ona – Imeko, Ogun state, another suspect Festus Udoh, 42, was nabbed with 13,000 pills of opioids along Onitsha- Owerri road, Imo state. In same vein, a total of 74.5kg skunk was recovered from the store of a suspect Joseph Chukwujamaa at Umuogbo – Agu village, Enugu state on Saturday 18^th October.

“In Lagos, no fewer than 11 bags of skunk weighing 117kg were recovered from the base of a suspect Ramoni Olukowi in Mushin area on Saturday 18^th October while a total of 80,000 bottles of codeine-based syrup were intercepted in a container earlier watch-listed by NDLEA coming from India during a joint examination of the shipment with men of Customs service and other security agencies at the Apapa port on Tuesday 14^th October.

“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, work places and communities among others in the past week. These include: WADA advocacy lecture to students and staff of Commercial Grammar School, Igogo Ekiti; Junior Secondary Smart School, Kasarawa, Katsina; Government Technical College, Ahoada, Rivers; Government Girls Junior Secondary School, Yau Danzabuwa, Babura, Jigawa state; Attarbiyya Community College, Hotoro, Kano; Fuga Mixed Secondary School, Fuga, Edo state; St. Cyprian Special Science School, Nsukka, Enugu and St. Peter’s College, Olomore, Abeokuta, Ogun state, among others.

“While commending the officers and men of MMIA, Apapa, Lagos, Ekiti, Adamawa, Oyo, Enugu, Ogun, Ondo, and Imo Commands for the arrests, and seizures, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) urged them and their colleagues across the country not to relent in their ongoing balanced approach to the drug control efforts of the Agency.”

…as police launch manhunt for abductors

The kidnapped Anambra State Director of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mr. Daniel Onyishi, has regained his freedom after days in captivity.

Onyishi was abducted by gunmen on June 12 along Winners’ Church Road, near the temporary site of Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Awka.

Sources told The Nation that a ransom running into millions of naira may have been paid before his release.

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Confirming the development in a statement on Sunday, the Anambra State Police Command said the NDLEA official was receiving medical attention.

Police spokesperson, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, said his release was made possible through the combined efforts of sister security agencies and covert NDLEA operatives led by Mrs. Florence Ezeonye.

He added that the Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, has briefed the Police High Command and activated the Inspector-General of Police’s directive to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Despite recent efforts by the Anambra State government, including the launch of Operation Udoka Ga Achi and Agunechemba, insecurity continues to surge across parts of the state.

…intercepts Bahrain, Australia-bound Loud, Cocaine consignments in cloth hangers, female dress

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a 43-year-old female make-up artist, Adekoya Adebukonla Mary, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos, after 2.20 kilograms of cocaine were found factory-fitted in the walls of her suitcase.

The arrest, which occurred on Monday, June 16, 2025, was based on credible intelligence, according to a statement issued on Sunday by the NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi.

Adekoya, who claimed she was travelling to India for fibroid surgery, was placed under surveillance and allowed to check in her luggage before being apprehended while boarding a Qatar Airways flight to India via Doha. A search of her luggage revealed two large parcels of cocaine weighing 2.20kg concealed within the suitcase walls.

In her statement to investigators, Adekoya confessed to undertaking the trip for financial gain under the cover of seeking medical treatment. Further investigation identified her sponsor as a drug baron, Akeem Ayinde Adekanbi, who is currently on the run. Adekanbi is said to own the Rockford Hotel in the Sango area of Ogun State and resides in Igbe Laara, Igbogbo, Ikorodu, Lagos.

Babafemi also disclosed that NDLEA operatives from the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation (DOGI) intercepted a shipment of sewn female dresses containing 1.3kg of Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, bound for Bahrain through a courier company in Lagos on Thursday, June 19. A day earlier, on Wednesday, June 18, another courier firm was found to be handling a package with 850 grams of cocaine concealed in cloth hangers destined for Australia.

The statement reads, “In Bauchi state, NDLEA officers acting on credible intelligence on Monday, 16th June arrested the duo of Ibrahim Galadima, 37, and Ibrahim Muhammed, 28, along the Bauchi-Darazo road. A total of One Million and Thirteen Thousand (1,013,000) pills of opioids, namely: tramadol, diazepam and exol-5, were recovered from them.

“While 38-year-old Bishir Isyaku was nabbed on Tuesday 17th June at Gwargwaje along Kaduna – Zaria expressway with 14.2kg skunk, a strain of cannabis, concealed in two sacks of charcoal and seven cartons of rubber solution weighing 198kg, NDLEA operatives in Abuja on Wednesday, 18th June, arrested Murtala Adamu, Ahmed Ismai’l and four others during raid operations at Karu Abattoir and Torabora areas of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT. Recovered from them include 6.9kg skunk and 559 grams of methamphetamine.

“In Kano, NDLEA officers on patrol along Zaria-Kano road on Thursday, 19th June arrested Umar Hamisu, 19, and Dahiru Abdullahi, 32, with 56.2kg skunk, while another suspect, Obiwuru Henry, 27, was nabbed same day with 23,720 capsules of tramadol and 1,400 ampoules of pentazocine along Jaba road Fagge LGA. Similarly, Abubakar Modu, 60, was nabbed with 36.6kg skunk and Abdulkadir Muhammed, 28, with 32kg of the same substance along Zaria-Kano road on Saturday, 21st June.

“A 22-year-old female Student of Kwara State Polytechnic, Olotin Nifemi, notorious for selling illicit substances to other students, was on Thursday 19th June arrested at her base along Kwara Poly road, Ilorin, with 1kg skunk.

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A total of 4,226.11kg skunk was destroyed at Ugbada camp, Uzebba forest, Owan West LGA, Edo state, when NDLEA operatives raided the camp to destroy cannabis farms on Friday 20th June.

“A suspect, Albert Shamaki, 33, was nabbed during the operation. Operatives had on Thursday 19th June raided the Big Jamaya supermarket at Emado community in Esan West LGA where a suspect Esther Abumere, 28, was arrested and assorted illicit drugs recovered.

“Illicit substances seized include: Colorado, Loud, Molly, Tramadol and other opioids. Another raid at a provision shop at Idumeka Igueben led to the seizure of 1.143kg skunk and arrest of a female suspect, Eko Gift, 38.

“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 Government Day Arabic Secondary School, Guri, Jigawa; Government College, Lafia, Nasarawa; Atodo Secondary School, Ankpa, Kogi; Natsugunne Junior Secondary School, Jabba, Kano; and Shallom Academy, Ibagwa, Enugu, while the Osun State Command of NDLEA paid a WADA advocacy visit to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, at his palace in Ile Ife, among others.

“While commending the officers and men of MMIA, DOGI, Bauchi, Kaduna, Kano, Kwara, Edo and FCT 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) also praised their counterparts in all the commands across the country for pursuing a fair balance between their drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts.”

…recovers tramadol pills concealed in gas cylinder, cocaine, skunk in Kano, Lagos raids

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted a 42-year-old Indian woman, Ms. Neetu Neetu, at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano, with 72 parcels of heroin disguised as chocolates.

According to a statement released on Sunday by NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the consignment, classified as a Class A drug, weighed 11 kilograms and was factory-sealed in wafer wraps.

Babafemi explained that the drugs were discovered after a thorough search of Neetu’s luggage, following credible intelligence. 

The interception took place during an inward clearance of Qatar Airways flight QR1431, which arrived from Bangkok, Thailand, via Vietnam and Doha, on Friday, March 14, 2025.

Babafemi said the arrest of Neetu, according to the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), signifies a growing attempt by drug trafficking organisations to hire white ladies and foreign nationals to move illicit drugs through the Nigerian borders.

He said vigilant NDLEA operatives have consistently frustrated this bid with the aid of modern technological tools and proactive intelligence.

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According to the statement, in another interdiction operation in Kano, NDLEA officers on Thursday 20th March arrested a 45-year-old suspect, Michael Ogundele with a 50-litre steel gas cylinder at Gadar Tamburawa, along Zaria- Kano road.

It reads, “Based on credible intelligence, welding tools were later used to cut the giant cylinder after which 50,000 pills of tramadol 225mg concealed in it were extracted.

“While Sunday Ogar, 40, was nabbed at Gunduwawa area of Kano on Wednesday 19th March with 27kg skunk, a strain of cannabis, a female suspect Khadijah Abdullahi, 40, was arrested with 424 bottles of codeine-based syrup at Lungun Bulala Yalwa area of the state on Tuesday 18th March.

“In Lagos, the duo of Olumuyiwa Kolawole and Samod Adisa were nabbed with 67.5kg skunk in Mushin just as 100.8kg of same psychoactive substance was recovered from the store of two fleeing suspects in Anifowoshe area of Mushin while Isah Idris was arrested in Apapa with 4.5kg skunk; 600grams of tramadol 225mg and 30litres of codeine syrup on Tuesday 18th March. Another suspect, Yahaya Mohamed, was arrested same day in Ikotun area of the state with different quantities of cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine.

“Across the country, NDLEA Commands and formations continued to intensify their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) social advocacy sensitization engagements in schools, markets, motor parts, work places and worship centres in the past week. These include: WADA sensitisation lecture to students and staff of Chrisland School, Ikeja, Lagos; Hakimi Secondary School, Mokwa, Niger state; Marist Comprehensive College, Nteje, Anambra state; Ikole City College, Ikole Ekiti, Ekiti state; Government Day Secondary School, Sunane, Sokoto state; and Government Day Secondary School, Jada, Adamawa state, among others.

“While commending the officers and men of MAKIA, Lagos, and Kano Commands of the Agency for the arrests and seizures, its Chairman/Chief Executive, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), noted with satisfaction the balance in drug supply and demand reduction efforts of all the formations nationwide, even as he charged them not to relent,” the statement reads.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has announced the arrest of a 42-year-old Angolan businessman, Mbala Dajou Abuba, at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano, for attempting to traffic a significant consignment of cocaine to Istanbul, Turkey.

Femi Babafemi, Director of Media and Advocacy at NDLEA Headquarters in Abuja, stated in a press release on Sunday that Abuba, who hails from the Zaire province in Angola, was apprehended on Tuesday, 25th February 2025.

The suspect was arrested at the screening point of Kano Airport while attempting to board Egypt Air flight MS 880 to Istanbul, Turkey, via Cairo. Babafemi noted that a body scan confirmed the suspect had ingested the illicit substance.

Abuba was subsequently placed under observation for excretion, during which he expelled 120 pellets of cocaine weighing 1.829 kilograms across seven excretions, as indicated in the statement.

Babafemi also mentioned that the suspect claimed, during questioning, to have been engaged in the business of township delivery services in Angola before turning to the illicit drug trade.

The spokesman disclosed that a similar attempt by an auto spare parts dealer, Okeke Ebuka Igwe, to send two parcels containing 1.10kg of cocaine concealed in vehicle propellers to Angola through the export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Ikeja, Lagos, was thwarted by NDLEA operatives, who arrested him on Monday, 24th February, following credible intelligence.

Babafemi added that during an interview with the suspect, he claimed to be a businessman selling auto parts in ASPANDA, Trade Fair Complex, Ojo area of Lagos.

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The statement reads, “The bid by another suspect, Ezechi Iyke Cyprian to move a large consignment of cocaine weighing 5.40 kilograms to Owerri, Imo state, in his Toyota Sienna bus on Sunday 23rd February was frustrated by operatives of a special operations unit of NDLEA who arrested him following weeks of intelligence and surveillance.

“At the Tincan seaport in Lagos, NDLEA operatives on Friday 28th February, discovered a total of 128 parcels of Canadian Loud, a strong strain of cannabis concealed in two matrasses in the trunk of a Toyota Venza car imported from Canada.

“The discovery of the 63.75kg consignment was made during a joint examination of a targeted container marked TCNU 1945861 from Montreal, Canada, by NDLEA, Customs, and other security agencies. The consignee of the shipment, 44-year-old Bamidele Joseph, has been arrested and taken into custody.

“In Delta state, NDLEA operatives supported by the military on Thursday, 27th February, stormed a forest in Innam-Abbi/Orogun community, Ndokwa West local government area, where they destroyed over 50,000kg cannabis on a 20-hectare farmland. Five suspects arrested during the raid include: Augustine Subaru, 45; Ukoba Malachukwu, 53; Odalonu Emmanuel, 40; Esuabom Macaulay, 35; and Itoje Safe, 54.

“In another operation in Delta, NDLEA operatives on Friday 28th February intercepted a Mercedes Benz truck marked AWK 791 ZJ along Abraka-Orogun road. A search of the truck led to the recovery of 101 bags of skunk with a total weight of 1,111kg.

“In Edo state, NDLEA officers supported by the military on Saturday 1st March raided the Okpuje community in Owan West LGA where they destroyed over 100 jumbo bags of skunk in warehouses and recovered a total of 1,409.5kg of the psychoactive substance for the prosecution of arrested suspects: Oikelomen Osere Monday, 38 and Glory Iroyo, 42.

“While a suspect, Michael Omoloki, 46, was arrested with 58.5 kilograms of skunk at the Ibadan end of the Lagos -Ibadan expressway, Oyo state, operatives in Kwara state on Monday 24th February nabbed a Beninoise Lawali Mohammed with 2,980 tablets of tramadol and dozens of diazepam pills at Eiyenkorin expressway, Ilorin.

“In Osun, NDLEA operatives on patrol along Ibadan/ Gbongan expressway on Thursday, 27th February intercepted a consignment of 1.05kg skunk concealed in detergent soap and biscuit carton, while Sunday Ogbu, 45, was arrested in connection with the seizure. A suspect, Ayuba Mustapha, 30, was arrested at Tsafe, Zamfara state, with 24,700 pills of tramadol on Sunday, 23rd February.

“In Borno state, Mustapha Shettima, 50, was arrested by NDLEA operatives with 31kg skunk, 1,000 pills of tramadol and N720,000 monetary exhibit along Bama road, Maiduguri on Wednesday 26th February, while Adamu Idris, 40, was nabbed along Zaria road, Kano, same day with 140 blocks of cannabis weighing 73.5kg.

“With the same vigour, 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 enlightenment lecture to students and staff of Ansarudeen Junior Secondary School, Ojuelegba, Lagos; Loretto Girls Special Science School, Adazinnukwu, Anambra state and Tudun Murtala Special Primary School, Nasarawa LGA, Kano state, among others.

While commending the officers and men of MMIA, MAKIA, SOU, Tincan, Delta, Edo, Oyo, Kano, Osun, Borno, Zamfara and Kwara Commands of the Agency for the arrests and seizures, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) stated that their operational successes and those of their compatriots across the country, especially their balanced approach to drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts, are well appreciated.”

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says two drug kingpins have excreted 125 wraps of heroin at the Port Harcourt International Airport and the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.

Director, Media and Advocacy

NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, Femi Babafemi, in a statement on Sunday said this was as operatives foiled attempts by both of them to smuggle the consignments into Nigeria through through the airports.

Babafemi said one of the suspected kingpins, who uses dual identities to aid his cross-border movements, was identified as Onyekwonike Elochuckwu Sylvanus, 30. 

The suspect also possesses a Sierra Leonean passport with a different name: Kargbo Mohamed Foday, he said. 

The NDLEA Spokesman Sylvanus was intercepted by NDLEA officers with his Sierra Leonean passport on Sunday, February 2, 2025, at the Port Harcourt airport, Rivers State, during the inward clearance of passengers on Qatar Airways Flight from Doha through Abuja to Port Harcourt.

A body scan confirmed that Sylvanus had ingested illicit drugs, and he was subsequently placed under excretion observation. 

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During this period, he expelled a total of 62 wraps of heroin in five excretions, weighing 1.348 kilograms.

According to the statement, investigations revealed that Sylvanus alternates between his two identities for different drug trafficking missions between Thailand, Pakistan, Iran, and West African countries. 

The suspect claimed to have ventured into the illicit drug trade in 2017 after his clothing and shoe business collapsed.

The second suspected kingpin, James Herbert Chinoso, 48, was arrested by NDLEA operatives at the Lagos airport on Saturday, February 1, 2025, upon his arrival from Madagascar via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on an Ethiopian Airlines flight.

After a body scan confirmed the presence of illicit drugs in his system, Chinoso was placed under excretion observation, during which he egested 63 wraps of heroin weighing 909 grams, the statement indicated.

Chinoso had left Lagos for Madagascar on January 26, 2025, and returned via Addis Ababa after spending a week. 

He claimed to have ventured into the illicit drug trade after his phone accessories business in Liberia collapsed.

The statement reads, “In a related development, NDLEA operatives intercepted two parcels of 2.82 kilograms of Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, imported from the United States with Lagos as the destination. The parcels were seized at a courier firm in Lagos on Thursday, February 6, 2025.

“On the same day, anti-narcotics officers intercepted 80 ampoules of pentazocine injection weighing 225 grams concealed in cartons heading to Canada at a different logistics company in Lagos.

“In Kano, NDLEA operatives arrested two suspects, Usaini Salisu and Yahaya Mu’azu, both 23 years old, at Gadar Tamburawa along Zaria Road, where 15,396 pills of tramadol were recovered from a gas cylinder used to conceal the consignment.

“On the same day, operatives arrested a female suspect, Choima Okeke, 35, with 27 blocks of skunk, a strain of cannabis weighing 15 kilograms, at Sabon Gari area of Kano.

“A consignment of 12,800 pills of tramadol 250mg heading to Shuwarin in Jigawa State was intercepted by NDLEA officers on patrol along Kabba-Obajana Highway in Kogi State on Saturday, February 8, 2025. A suspect, Salisu Basiru, 33, was arrested in connection with the seizure.

“Similarly, 65 parcels of Colorado, a strong synthetic strain of cannabis weighing 1.600 kilograms, were recovered from another suspect, Rufai Hassan, 32, at the same checkpoint on the same day.

“The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended the officers and men of the MMIA, PHIA, DOGI, Kano, and Kogi Commands of the Agency for the arrests and seizures.

“Marwa stated that their operational successes and those of their compatriots across the country, especially their balanced approach to drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts, are well appreciated.”

…arrests 33 suspects across six states

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have thwarted an attempt by a 26-year-old nursing student, Esther Onyinyechi Uzodinma, to ingest 76 wraps of cocaine before boarding her return flight to India.

The suspect, a 200-level nursing student at Noida International University in Uttar Pradesh, was arrested at the Royal Park Hotel in Sabon Gari, Kano, on Thursday, January 16, 2025, according to a statement by the Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, Femi Babafemi, on Sunday

Esther had planned to travel on Qatar Airways Flight 1432 to Delhi from the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) the next morning, Babafemi said.

However, NDLEA operatives intercepted the cocaine consignment concealed in an audio speaker on a commuter bus along the Okene-Lokoja highway in Kogi State.

The courier, Cosmas Okorie, 31, was arrested, leading to Esther’s subsequent apprehension.

According to Babafemi, in her statement, Esther revealed that a drug cartel in India recruited her, paid for her trip to Nigeria, and promised her over $5,000 to deliver the drugs.

To avoid suspicion, she spent two weeks in an Enugu hotel and later moved to Abuja before heading to Kano.

The statement indicated that in a series of operations, NDLEA officers made multiple arrests and drug seizures across the country.

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It reads: “In other operations along the Okene-Lokoja-Abuja highway, NDLEA officers arrested four suspects: Abdullahi Umar; Tijjani Samaila; Lucky Obotte and Abubakar Haruna, who were heading to Maiduguri, Borno state, Kano, and Abuja in commuter vehicles with over 38,000 pills of tramadol 225mg, 250mg and 100mg concealed in audio speakers and cloths.

“In Lagos, operatives of a special operations unit of the Agency on Tuesday 14th January raided the hideout of a 59-year-old Nwokedi Emeka Jonas in Ojodu-Berger area of the state where they recovered 10 parcels of Canadian Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis weighing 4.9kg as well as different paper bags he uses in dispensing the psychoactive substance in retail quantities. Printed on them include street names and codes such as ‘Dead man’; ‘Gelato top shelf smoke’; ‘Topshelf’; and ‘Gelato cake’

“In other operations in Lagos, operatives of the state Command of the Agency on Wednesday 15th January raided a house in Igando New Town area of Alimosho where they arrested three suspects: Isaac Vincent, 32; Ebube Ikechi, 25; and Christopher Usifoh, 43, from whom 1,610kg skunk, a strain of cannabis and 6kg pills of tramadol were recovered. Also recovered from the house were a delivery van and three other vehicles used for distributing the illicit drugs.

“Two suspects: Olashile Okoya and Mohammed Ibrahim were arrested on Saturday 18th January when NDLEA officers raided their home at 5A Addison Palmer, Cadogan Estate, Castle Rock Avenue, Osapa, Lekki Lagos, where 28 kilograms of Canadian Loud were recovered following credible intelligence.

“Not less than 67kg skunk was seized from Saheed Sulaiman on Thursday 16th January when NDLEA operatives raided his Edumare street, Lagos Island hideout, while various quantities of assorted illicit substances were recovered from Adamu Abdullahi on Tuesday 14th January when Jerry Irabi Estate, Lekki hideout was raided by NDLEA officers. They include 3.7 litres of codeine syrup; 10,000 pills of tramadol; 1,670 tablets of rohypnol; 6.5kg cannabis; 3,100 tablets of diazepam; 10,090 tablets of Molly; 5,500 tabs of Exol-5; 1.2kg crisps of wrapped methamphetamine and a monetary exhibit of ₦623,650.00.

“In Kano, two suspects: Usama Adamu, 25, and Isah Ibrahim, 29, were on Friday 17th January arrested at Dawanau, Dawakin Tofa LGA where a total of 7.6kg skunk, 78 tubes of rubber solution and 356 bottles of ‘suck and die’, a new psychoactive substance were recovered from them. In another raid in Kano, Usman Isa, 29, was nabbed along Zaria Road with 114 blocks of skunk weighing 49.8kg.

“Three suspects: Lawali Isiaka, Umoru Isiaka and Mohammed Kabiru were on Wednesday 15th January arrested by NDLEA operatives with 390 tablets of Molly and 65.5kg of cannabis at Bode Saadu in Moro Local Government Area of Kwara State, while Samuel Ogbu, 24, was nabbed with 25,000 pills of tramadol by operatives along Wukari- Zaki Ibiam road, Wukari LGA, Taraba state.

“In series of raids in Abuja, a suspect, Rufa’i Hashimu, 27, was arrested at Gwarimpa village area of the FCT with 118 bottles of codeine-based syrup, while 13 others were nabbed in other locations such as Area1 IDP camp, Gishiri, Zuba, Dei -Dei, AYA, Lagos Street Garki, Karu, and Lugbe. Recovered from them include different quantities of tramadol, diazepam, and methamphetamine.

“With the same vigour, 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 sensitisation lecture to students and staff of NUD Basic Primary School, Orile-Igbon, Oyo state; Corpus Christi College, Ilawe Ekiti; Holy Family International Schools, Calabar; Kudam Islamic School, Osogbo; Business Apprenticeship Training Centre, Kankia, Katsina, while Abia state command of NDLEA paid a WADA advocacy visit to Governor Alex Otti, among others.

“While commending the officers and men of Lagos, Kogi, SOPU, Kano, Kwara, FCT, and Taraba 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 not to rest on their oars as they intensify their balanced approach to drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts.”