The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has intensified its crackdown on drug traffickers across the country, uncovering several sophisticated smuggling methods and making multiple arrests, including that of a notorious kingpin who had been on the run for nearly a year.
At the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, NDLEA operatives intercepted a consignment containing 23 parcels of Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, weighing 11.3 kilograms. The illicit drugs were hidden inside newly imported microwaves from Thailand and arrived via Ethiopian Airlines from Bangkok through Addis Ababa. The seizure, made on Monday July 7, was based on credible intelligence. A suspect identified as Ezenwegbu Chike has been arrested in connection with the smuggled consignment.
In another operation, NDLEA officers at the airport’s export shed discovered 400 grams of cocaine and phenacetine ingeniously concealed in ladies’ lipsticks. The cargo, which was headed to Malabo, Guinea, also included hair attachments and cosmetics. The arrest of Ezeikwelume Prince Afam, a businessman from the Trade Fair Complex in Ojo, Lagos, followed the interception.
Barely a week earlier, a similar bust had uncovered 420 grams of cocaine cleverly built into 84 pieces of lipsticks destined for the United Kingdom.
The anti-narcotics agency also recorded a major breakthrough with the arrest of Okechukwu Izugha, widely known as Okey Omeogo, a high-profile drug baron. He was nabbed on Wednesday July 9 at his wife’s shop in Ijesha Market, Lagos. Izugha had gone into hiding following the August 2024 seizure of 9 kilograms of cocaine linked to him. His wife, Maureen Izugha, had previously been arrested with 500 grams of cocaine in January 2025, convicted, and sentenced to two years in prison.
In Edo State, NDLEA operatives stormed Ewere Uzebba forest in Owan West Local Government Area and destroyed over 28,000 kilograms of cannabis grown across 11 hectares. During the operation, cartel members opened fire on the officers, riddling a patrol vehicle with bullets. However, the operatives were able to repel the attack without any casualties and recovered an additional 82 kilograms of processed cannabis.
In Lagos, a separate operation at Okun Ajah Beach led to the interception of 1,400 blocks of Ghana Loud cannabis weighing 700 kilograms. A Ford truck used for the transportation of the drugs was confiscated, and two suspects, Innocent Ejidiobo and Friday Paul, were arrested. Further raids uncovered 26 kilograms of cannabis, 123 grams of methamphetamine, 45 grams of Molly, and another delivery van.
In Borno State, operatives apprehended a suspect, Godwin Chimaobi Nwaobi, aged 42, with 18,759 ampoules of pentazocine along with quantities of tramadol and rohypnol in Maiduguri on Saturday July 12. This came after the arrest of Abdulrahman Bello Ahmadu, aged 34, who was caught with 10,000 pills of tramadol earlier in the week.
In Gombe State, a massive haul of 116,226 pills of tramadol and D5 tablets was recovered from five suspects during operations carried out at Gombe main market and along the Gombe Kano road. The suspects include Hafiz Bello aged 22, Isah Suleman aged 48, Kabiru Muhammed aged 30, Abdullahi Adamu aged 30, and Abel Murna aged 25.
The agency also made significant busts in Kogi and Kaduna States. Along the Okene Lokoja expressway, a suspect named Sabiu Bala was arrested with 316.6 kilograms of skunk. Similarly, in Gubuchi area of Ikara Local Government Area in Kaduna State, Haladu Suleiman aged 38 was caught in possession of 58.805 kilograms of the same substance.
The NDLEA has reiterated its commitment to pursuing drug traffickers and dismantling their networks, while urging the public to support its efforts in ensuring a drug free Nigeria.
