The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has arrested nine major drug kingpins and dismantled six trafficking syndicates in a nationwide crackdown that led to the seizure of large quantities of assorted illicit drugs.
The agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, confirmed the operations on Sunday, saying they were based on intelligence gathered over recent weeks.
He said, “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, and 16 grams of cocaine.
“Other drugs seized were 200 grams of phenacetin, 200 grams of methcathinone and 100 grams of caffeine concealed in pressure machine cylinders imported from South Africa.”
According to Babafemi, the first suspect, 30-year-old Ebulue Lotanwa Uzochukwu, arrived at a logistics company to receive the consignment and was arrested. The second suspect, 51-year-old South Africa returnee Christopher Michael Ndibuisi, was picked up shortly after.
He added, “The consignments arrived the MMIA import shed on 13th November 2025 on a Tag-Angola flight and were immediately seized based on credible intelligence.”
NDLEA also uncovered another drug shipment at the Lagos airport where a brake servo automobile part was used to hide 48 pellets and a block of cocaine weighing 2.30 kilograms and headed for Gabon. A freight agent, Ameh Solomon, was arrested, leading to the arrest of an auto parts dealer, Nwafor Tochukwu Boniface, at the Trade Fair Complex.
In Kogi State, operatives intercepted a trailer carrying 4,700 kilograms of skunk at Kabba. Three suspects were arrested, followed by the arrest of the alleged owner of the consignment, Marcus Danladi Dan Mangu, during a follow-up operation in Jos.
A major warehouse raid in Cross River also led to the arrest of a couple, Onun Okoi Okpotum, 55, and his wife, Itam, 52. Officers recovered 362 jumbo bags of skunk weighing 4,706 kilograms.
In Edo, two women, 19-year-old Praise Nwogu and 25-year-old Ebong Emem Oghosa, were arrested for producing and selling drug-laced brownies online. Officers recovered brownies, skunk, and Colorado from them.
Another raid in Akoko Edo led to the arrest of 35-year-old Shedrack Aminu with 59 kilograms of skunk.
NDLEA officers in Enugu arrested 24-year-old Chinoso Emmanuel Monday on the Enugu–Onitsha road with 10.1 kilograms of skunk, 105,600 tramadol pills, pentazocine injections and 3,000 rounds of live ammunition.
In Kebbi, officers evacuated 13,155 bottles of codeine syrup from a warehouse in Dole-Kaina, while 23-year-old Umar Adamu was arrested with 12,548 opioid pills disguised in paracetamol packs and heading to a Boko Haram enclave in Borno.
Two more suspects were arrested with 430.5 kilograms of cannabis on the Abaji–Abuja expressway.
In Niger State, 47-year-old Samson Dafe was arrested at Dikko junction with 85,100 opioid pills and 5,456 bottles of codeine syrup.
A raid on the home of Sani Mohammed in Shiroro LGA uncovered 437 blocks of compressed skunk weighing 471.8 kilograms.
More seizures were recorded in Lagos, including 71 kilograms of Canadian Loud found in an apartment in Lekki and 2.6 kilograms of Colorado hidden in flight boarding cards.
Babafemi added that, “Acting on credible intelligence, NDLEA operatives supported by military personnel raided the notorious Peti drug enclave on Lagos Island where 385 kilograms of skunk, Loud and Colorado were recovered.”
The agency also recovered 163,200 capsules of tramadol at another location in the Maza Maza area of Lagos.
NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), commended the officers and justified the intensified clampdown ahead of the festive season.
He said, “The coming festive season is usually a period often exploited by criminal elements. Drug cartels may attempt to increase their illegal activities. We must not, and we will not, let down our guard.”
He urged officers nationwide to sustain the balanced approach to drug control and continue the War Against Drug Abuse sensitisation in schools, worship centres and communities.
