Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have uncovered a sophisticated drug trafficking operation involving the concealment of cocaine and tramadol in 71 vehicle side mirrors destined for Libreville, Gabon, through the export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos.
According to a statement issued on Sunday by NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, a total of three suspects have been arrested in connection with the illegal shipment. The initial discovery on July 19 led to the interception of 57,420 pills of tramadol 225mg and 57 pellets of cocaine weighing 1.60kg in cargo booked on Air Côte d’Ivoire.
The arrest of a popular cargo agent, Ihekweme Osinachi Benedict, was followed by the apprehension of Uzochukwu Godspower Chukwurah the next day. Further investigation led to the recovery of an additional 1kg of cocaine hidden in four side mirrors at Chukwurah’s residence on July 21, bringing the total cocaine haul to 68 pellets weighing 2.60kg.
In a related operation, NDLEA officers on August 1 arrested a Lagos-based businesswoman, Mrs. Nwafor Roseann Nneka, at her shop in the Trade Fair Complex, Ojo. She was linked to a shipment of cocaine concealed in lipstick containers intercepted on July 10 and destined for Malabo, Equatorial Guinea. The illicit package also contained 300 grams of phenacetine, a known cocaine cutting agent. Two cargo agents were earlier apprehended before the final arrest of Nneka, who confessed that the smuggling operation was managed in conjunction with her husband, Remigus Nwafor, currently on the run.
Elsewhere, in Abuja’s Gwarimpa, Jahi, and Galadimawa districts, three dispatch riders—Sabo Sule (24), Samuel Nnamdi (28), and Idris Jibrin (28)—were arrested during intelligence-led stop-and-search operations on July 30. They were found distributing illicit substances, including 149.8 grams of Canadian Loud, a potent strain of cannabis.
Additional arrests were made on August 2 along the Abaji-Gwagwalada Expressway, where Aliyu Abubakar (25) and Adekunle Agbabiaka (30) were caught transporting 91.1kg of skunk. In Lagos, Joseph Michael was arrested in Mushin with 3.3kg of Colorado, a synthetic cannabis variant, while Ibrahim Sulaiman was found with 16.5 litres of skuchies, a locally brewed psychoactive drink, in Yaba on August 1.
Across other parts of the country, NDLEA recorded several high-impact seizures and arrests:
In Benue State, 37-year-old Hussein Yusuf was arrested on August 1 at a checkpoint along the Vandeikya-Ogoja road with 100,000 tramadol capsules.
In Edo State, 233.5kg of skunk was recovered from a warehouse in Ekpoma with suspect William Alabi (44) arrested.
At the Maiduguri airport, Umar Aminu (38) was caught with 160 tramadol pills hidden in footwears on August 1.
In Ogun State, Yahaya Aminat Seyi was apprehended with 7,218 opioid pills during a raid in Oja Odan.
In Oyo, Delta, and Bayelsa States, several suspects were arrested with combined seizures of skunk, tramadol, codeine, and other opioids, including Chief Emeka Opara (52) and Onuoha Chidinma (25) in Bayelsa with 41,705 tramadol capsules.
In Kano State, 61kg of skunk was recovered from suspect Bashir Gambo (30) in Yar Yasa town, Tudun Wada LGA.
In Osun State, Kabiru Ayinde (40) and Roqeeb Adekanmbi (25) were arrested with 90kg skunk, 36.3g of methamphetamine, a vehicle, and ₦228,200 cash in Ile-Ogbo, Iwo town on July 28.
Meanwhile, the NDLEA continued its nationwide War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization campaign, engaging schools, transport workers, religious centers, and traditional institutions. Recent advocacy efforts included visits to Ciroma Ibrahim Islamiyya School in Potiskum, Sultan Maccido Institute in Sokoto, Borno Express Transport drivers, and the Oluwo of Iwo land, Oba Abdurasheed Adewale Akanbi.
NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended officers across multiple state commands for their vigilance, professionalism, and successful operations. He urged them to sustain the momentum and continue employing a balanced approach to the agency’s drug control efforts.
