The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intensified its offensive against drug trafficking networks, dismantling at least six syndicates and arresting nine major suspects in a series of coordinated, intelligence-driven operations across the country.
According to a statement released on Sunday by the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, NDLEA operatives carried out multiple raids that resulted in the recovery of several tons of illicit substances, including methamphetamine, cannabis variants, cocaine, opioids and drug-laced products.
In Anambra State, officers arrested two members of a drug trafficking ring in Onitsha after they attempted to receive consignments concealed inside pressure machine cylinders imported from South Africa. The shipment, which arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) on 13 November, contained 5.40kg of methamphetamine, 10.70kg of Loud, 16g of cocaine and other illicit substances.
A separate operation at the Lagos airport on 20 November intercepted a brake-servo automobile part stuffed with 48 pellets and one block of cocaine destined for Gabon. A freight agent, Ameh Solomon, and an auto-parts dealer, Nwafor Tochukwu Boniface, were arrested following a follow-up investigation.
In Kogi State, NDLEA officers intercepted a trailer transporting 4.7 tonnes of cannabis. Three suspects were arrested, while a follow-up operation in Plateau State led to the arrest of the alleged kingpin, Marcus Danladi Dan Mangu.
A major warehouse raid in Ugep, Cross River State, resulted in the arrest of a couple and the recovery of 362 jumbo bags of cannabis weighing 4.7 tonnes.
In Edo State, operatives arrested two women in Benin City for producing and selling drug-laced brownies online. Additional raids across the state also led to arrests and seizures, including 59kg of cannabis in Akoko Edo LGA.
NDLEA operatives in Enugu arrested a suspect transporting cannabis, tramadol, pentazocine injections and live ammunition along the Enugu–Onitsha expressway, while in Kebbi State, officers evacuated over 13,000 bottles of codeine syrup from a warehouse in Dandi LGA and arrested a suspect with 12,548 opioid pills concealed in paracetamol containers and allegedly headed towards a remote enclave in Borno State.
In the Federal Capital Territory and Niger State, NDLEA teams intercepted over 430kg of cannabis, more than 85,000 opioid tablets and thousands of bottles of codeine syrup. Additional operations in Lagos led to arrests in Lekki and the seizure of 71kg of Canadian Loud, 2.6kg of Colorado packaged in branded containers, and illicit substances hidden in flight boarding passes.
A joint operation with the military on Lagos Island led to the recovery of 385kg of assorted drugs from the notorious Peti area, while another 163,200 tramadol capsules were seized at Maza Maza motor park.
Beyond enforcement, NDLEA commands across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaigns in schools, religious centres and communities in Lagos, Oyo, Katsina, Niger, Sokoto, Enugu and Ogun states.
Commending the commands for the successful operations, NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), urged officers to sustain the momentum, noting that criminal groups often ramp up their activities ahead of the festive season.
“The coming weeks present both an opportunity and a challenge. Drug cartels may attempt to increase their illegal activities during the busy holiday period. We must not, and we will not, let down our guard,” he said.
