The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has recorded multiple arrests and seizures in Lagos and across several states, as part of its intensified operations to dismantle drug trafficking syndicates targeting Nigeria and the global market.
At the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, operatives arrested two Brazil returnees who ingested illicit drugs.
One of the suspects, 46-year-old Ofoma Sunday, was apprehended on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at Terminal 2 of the Lagos airport upon arrival from Laos, Brazil, via Ethiopian Airlines. A body scan confirmed ingestion of narcotics, after which he was placed under observation. He excreted 111 wraps of heroin weighing 1.452 kilograms in eight phases. A follow-up operation at Eliata Hotel, Amuwo Odofin, led to the arrest of 55-year-old Nweke Jude Chukwudi, who was designated to receive the drugs.
Similarly, Ukachukwu Frank Ikechukwu, another returnee, was intercepted on Friday, September 19, during clearance of Ethiopian Airlines passengers from Brazil via Addis Ababa. A body scan confirmed drug ingestion, and under monitoring, he expelled five wraps of cocaine weighing 145 grams. In his confession, Ukachukwu revealed he purchased nine wraps in Brazil, inserted them anally, and lost some during transit due to severe pain.
In a related case, NDLEA operatives arrested Okolonkwo Ebere Theresa on Sunday, September 14, while she attempted to board a Qatar Airways flight to Doha. Aviation security and NDLEA officers discovered 1.40 kilograms of methamphetamine concealed in her underwear.
Additional seizures at Lagos airport included 2.30 kilograms of methamphetamine hidden in food items destined for Hong Kong on September 15, with 59-year-old Umelo Ifeanyi Venatus arrested. On September 18, a courier shipment of phone chargers bound for New Zealand was found to conceal 257 grams of cocaine.
Beyond Lagos, NDLEA intensified operations nationwide:
- Adamawa State: Three raids yielded 233,800 tramadol pills. Recoveries included 195,600 pills from an abandoned Sienna vehicle in Mayo Belwa, 27,900 pills from suspect Rita Zira in Jambutu, and 10,300 pills from Halilu Abubakar, 22, at Namtari checkpoint.
- Zamfara State: A joint operation with Community Protection Guards (CPG) intercepted 1,099.4 kilograms of cannabis skunk concealed in a Mitsubishi Canter truck along Gummi–Daki Takwas road.
- Yobe State: Two suspects, Babangida Usman and Ismail Ibrahim, were arrested along Damaturu–Potiskum road with 14,000 tramadol capsules.
- Taraba State: 28-year-old Anas Hamisu was arrested at Garba-Chede, Bali LGA, with 25.525 kilograms of skunk.
- Edo State: NDLEA operatives destroyed two cannabis farms spanning 4.53 hectares in Owan West LGA, estimated to yield over 11,300 kilograms. They also recovered 148 kilograms of processed skunk and seeds. Three suspects, Mathew Onoja, 56; Moses Thomas, 18; and Friday Uchenjin, 38, were arrested at the sites.
Alongside enforcement, the NDLEA sustained its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaigns across the country, engaging schools, worship centres, and communities, including outreach at Sultan Abdulrahman College of Health Technology (Sokoto), Government Secondary School Gwaram (Jigawa), and St. Mary Junior Secondary School, Makurdi (Benue), among others.
NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd.), commended the officers and men of MMIA, DOGI, Adamawa, Zamfara, Edo, Taraba, and Yobe Commands for their outstanding results.
“These arrests and seizures represent a significant milestone in our determined effort to dismantle drug trafficking organizations operating in Nigeria and around the world, prioritizing those bent on targeting our productive youth population with illicit substances until they’re no longer able to inflict harm on our communities or misrepresent our country’s image in the global space,” Marwa said.
He urged NDLEA operatives nationwide to remain vigilant and sustain the balanced approach of enforcement and prevention in Nigeria’s drug control strategy.
Femi Babafemi
Director, Media & Advocacy
NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja
Sunday, 21 September 2025
