In a sweeping nationwide offensive against drug trafficking networks, operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have busted no fewer than six syndicates, seizing tons of assorted illicit substances and arresting nine kingpins in a string of intelligence-driven interdiction operations.
The anti-narcotics agency’s Head of Media and Advocacy, Mr. Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.
In one of such operations, NDLEA officers on Tuesday 18th November 2025 arrested two members of a drug trafficking organization in Onitsha, Anambra state when they showed up to take delivery of 5.40 kilograms of methamphetamine; 10.70 kilograms of Loud, a strong strain of cannabis; 16grams of cocaine; 200grams of phenacetin; 200grams of methcathinone and 100grams of caffeine concealed in pressure machine cylinders imported from South Africa.
The first to show up at a logistics company in Onitsha for the collection of the consignments was 30-year-old electrical appliances dealer Ebulue Lotanwa Uzochukwu, who was promptly arrested while shortly after, another member of the syndicate 51-year-old South Africa returnee Christopher Michael Ndubuisi showed up and was equally arrested.
According to Babafemi, the consignments had arrived the import shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Ikeja-Lagos with airway bill number 118-128829 arriving from South Africa on a Tag-Angola flight on 13th November 2025 and was immediately seized based on credible intelligence. A follow up sting operation was thereafter organized in Onitsha, Anambra state where the recipients: Uzochukwu and Ndibuisi were arrested.
In another operation at the Lagos airport, NDLEA operatives on Thursday 20th November intercepted a brake servo automobile part used to conceal 48 pellets and a block of cocaine with a gross weight of 2.30 kilograms packed among other auto parts going to Gabon.
Following the arrest of a freight agent, Ameh Solomon, who presented the consignment for export, a follow up at ASMPDA market, Trade Fair Complex, Ojo Lagos led to the arrest of an auto parts dealer Nwafor Tochukwu Boniface.
In Kogi state, NDLEA operatives on Monday 17th November intercepted a trailer conveying 4,700 kilograms of skunk, a strain of cannabis at Kabba. Three suspects: Solomon Dauda, Friday Garba and Daniel Danladi accompanying the consignment were arrested while a follow up operation in Jos, Plateau state on Friday 21st November led to the arrest of the kingpin who owns the trailer and the illicit drug consignment, Marcus Danladi Dan Mangu.
In Cross-River state, a couple: 55-year-old Onun Okoi Okpotum and his wife 52-year-old Itam Okoi Okpotum were on Wednesday 19th November arrested at their warehouse located at 13 Park road, Ugep Yakur LGA, where 362 jumbo bags of skunk weighing 4,706 kilograms were recovered.
In Edo state, two ladies: Praise Nwogu, 19, and Ebong Emem Oghosa, 25, who specialize in the production and online sale of brownies laced with illicit drugs were on Saturday 22ndNovember arrested in Benin city. At the point of their arrest, Praise Nwogu, was found with 12 plates and a cup of drug-laced brownies while Ebong Emem Oghosa, was nabbed with 76grams of skunk, 1.5grams of Colorado and drug-laced brownies. A raid at Ososo village, Akoko Edo LGA, on Tuesday 18th November led to the arrest of 35-year-old Shedrack Aminu, who was found with 59kg skunk.
In the FCT, two suspects: Anthony Mercy, 40, and Sunday Augustine, 39, were on Monday 17thNovember arrested with 430.5kg by NDLEA operatives on patrol along Abaji- Abuja expressway, while Samson Dafe, 47, was arrested at Dikko junction, Kaduna road, Tafa LGA, Niger state on Tuesday 18th November conveying 85,100 pills of opioids and 5,456 bottles of codeine syrup in his Sharon vehicle marked ABJ 114 BV. The premises of a suspect Sani Mohammed in Anguwan Makera Kuta, Shiroro LGA was on Thursday 20th November raided with 437 blocks of compressed skunk weighing 471.8 kilograms recovered.
In Lagos, a suspect Usman Ayoola Adegoke was arrested in connection with the seizure of 139 pouches of Canadian Loud weighing 71kg at an apartment in Lekki while a lady Oluchi Celestine was on Tuesday 18th November nabbed in Lekki with 2.6kg Colorado packaged in branded containers and some concealed in flight boarding cards.
Acting on credible intelligence, NDLEA operatives supported by some military personnel on Monday 17th November raided the notorious Peti illicit drug enclave, Lagos Island where 385 kilograms of skunk, Loud and Colorado were recovered and two suspects arrested.
While commending the officers and men of yhe various commands where successful operations were recorded, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd) enjoined them and their colleagues across the country to continue with the ongoing balanced approach to the drug control efforts of the Agency.
Justifying the current heavy crackdown on drug trafficking syndicates, Marwa said the coming festive season is usually a period often exploited by criminal elements, hence the Agency has decided to launch a relentless offensive on drug trafficking cartels across the nation.
“The coming weeks present both an opportunity and a challenge. Drug cartels may attempt to increase their illegal activities, seeking to profit during the busy holiday period. We must not, and we will not, let down our guard”, Marwa vowed.
