NDLEA

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Anambra State Special Anti-Touting Squad has destroyed illicit drugs estimated at about N50 million after carrying out raids in different parts of Awka, the state capital.

Managing Director of the squad, Monday Nwokoye, disclosed this on Saturday during an operation conducted across several locations in the city.

He said the suspects arrested during the exercise had been transferred to officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, for further investigation and possible prosecution.

According to him, the operation followed intelligence reports gathered by the agency as part of efforts to tackle drug-related crimes and touting activities in the state.

Nwokoye also warned residents involved in the sale and consumption of illegal substances to stop such activities or face legal action.

“The raid underscores the state government’s commitment to dismantling illicit drug networks and curbing criminality across Anambra State. It is a significant enforcement exercise carried out after credible intelligence gathering across various locations.

“Illicit drugs estimated to be worth about N50m were found and destroyed, reaffirming the agency’s zero-tolerance stance on drug abuse and touting.

“It is our quest to ensure that Anambra is rid of touting, hard drugs, and all forms of crimes and criminality. The hard drugs were recovered from Awka and its environs.

“Those arrested in connection with the illegal business had been handed over to officers of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency,” he said.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a 38-year-old businesswoman, Iwebema Ogechi Peace, after allegedly finding cocaine hidden in her luggage at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

The suspect was apprehended on June 21, 2026, at the airport’s departure hall while preparing to board a Qatar Airways flight to Beijing, China.

According to the agency, intelligence reports led to her arrest. The suspect reportedly told investigators that she regularly travels to China to purchase goods for sale in Nigeria.

NDLEA operatives said a search of her luggage uncovered four parcels of cocaine weighing 7.5 kilogrammes. The illicit substance was allegedly concealed in a specially designed compartment inside the bag.

In a separate operation, a joint team made up of NDLEA officers, the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies intercepted a 40-foot container at the Apapa Port Complex in Lagos.

The agency said the container carried 195 sacks of Canadian Loud, a strong strain of cannabis, weighing 4,959 kilogrammes with an estimated street value of N12.397 billion.

NDLEA disclosed that the container, which also contained Ford and Nissan vehicles, had been monitored since April 25 after departing Toronto, Canada.

The anti-narcotics agency also uncovered a syndicate accused of hiding illegal drugs inside passengers’ luggage at motor parks.

The operation followed the interception of a Sienna bus travelling from Nnewi, Anambra State, to Abuja on June 20.

According to NDLEA, officers recovered a package suspected to contain methamphetamine weighing 467.7 grams. The substance was reportedly concealed inside a black nylon bag hidden among clothes bearing the receiver’s phone number.

A follow-up operation led to the arrest of the intended recipient, Gloria Peter, at Utako Motor Park in Abuja. However, she denied knowledge of the package.

Investigators later arrested some bus loaders in Nnewi. One of them allegedly confessed that the package was placed inside the woman’s luggage on the instruction of the driver, identified as Abdurrazak Isah.

The driver reportedly linked one of his passengers, Onyebuchi Victor Okoye, to the drugs. NDLEA later arrested the suspect in Utako.

In another operation, NDLEA operatives arrested 57-year-old Ikechukwu Uwakwe at a motor park in Iddo, Lagos, with 209.5 kilogrammes of Scottish Loud allegedly meant for transportation to Enugu State.

The agency also arrested two Beninese nationals, Hossou Tito Julien and Mancellim Dossou, alongside a Nigerian identified as Jackson ThankGod, after intercepting a truck at Mile 2 Bridge in Lagos.

According to NDLEA, the truck was transporting 558,900 pills of Tramadol 250mg concealed in a fabricated compartment. The consignment reportedly originated from Togo through the Republic of Benin.

Similarly, officers arrested Lucky Abonga and Osas Azamobo along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on June 26 with 118 kilogrammes of skunk concealed among goods inside a truck travelling to Onitsha, Anambra State.

The agency also disclosed that Helen Ese Idiji, 40, and Rashidat Sa’adullah, 53, were arrested at Olumokun Street, Amukoko, Lagos, where officers recovered 28.8 kilogrammes of skunk.

NDLEA said investigations showed that Idiji allegedly stored drug consignments with Sa’adullah before distributing them to buyers.

Meanwhile, the agency said its commands across the country intensified sensitisation campaigns under the War Against Drug Abuse initiative in schools, communities, workplaces and religious centres.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (retd.), commended officers involved in the various operations. He urged them to sustain efforts aimed at combating drug trafficking across the country.

By Uzair Adam

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested two elderly men, aged 84 and 75, for allegedly supplying illicit drugs to secondary school students in Umuahia, Abia State.

The suspects, identified as Godfrey Orji, 84, and Godwin Obulunbiya Obiora, 75, were apprehended in separate operations following intelligence reports and investigations by the agency.

According to the NDLEA, Obiora was arrested on Friday, June 19, 2026, after intelligence revealed that he was allegedly selling illicit substances, including opioids, from a patent medicine store on Club Road in Umuahia.

A search of the shop led to the recovery of 4.64 kilograms of drugs, including tramadol and diazepam.

In a separate incident, Orji, a pensioner, was arrested after security personnel at Saint Silas Secondary School in Old Umuahia reportedly caught him supplying drugs to two teenage students.

He was initially handed over to the police before being transferred to the NDLEA on June 18 for further investigation.

The agency said one of the students, a 15-year-old Senior Secondary School Two (SS2) student, confessed that Orji supplied him with drugs, which he in turn distributed to other students within the school.

NDLEA said both suspects would face prosecution, while the students involved have been enrolled in counselling and rehabilitation programmes.

Elsewhere, the agency intercepted a 9.5-kilogram consignment of ADB-Chminaca, a synthetic cannabinoid classified as a dangerous psychoactive substance, at a courier company in Lagos.

The shipment, which originated from China, was concealed inside a carton.

Operatives also recovered 300 grams of “Loud,” a potent strain of cannabis, hidden inside ladies’ handbags at a logistics company in Lagos.

In another operation, NDLEA officers raided the residence of a wanted drug dealer, Lukman Badmus, in the Ogombo area of Ajah, Lagos, where they recovered codeine syrup and skunk.

A follow-up raid at his wife’s shop led to the seizure of additional drugs and related items. The agency said attempts to destroy evidence were thwarted by operatives.

In Kogi State, officers intercepted a suspect transporting methamphetamine concealed in custard containers along the Okene-Lokoja highway.

Meanwhile, a couple who had been on the run following the seizure of 117 kilograms of cannabis in Ekiti State were also arrested.

In Oyo State, three suspects were arrested during a raid on a building in the Dangote area of Oyo town, where operatives recovered 1,416 kilograms of skunk concealed in jumbo sacks covered with sawdust.

The agency further disclosed that several forest operations in Edo State resulted in the destruction of large cannabis plantations and the arrest of suspects linked to drug cultivation and trafficking.

NDLEA said it has continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaign across schools, places of worship and communities nationwide as part of efforts to combat substance abuse.

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the agency, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (retd.), commended officers involved in the operations and urged them to sustain the ongoing nationwide crackdown on drug trafficking and abuse.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted consignments of illicit drugs concealed in water purifier machines imported from the Netherlands, while a series of operations across different parts of the country also led to several arrests and drug seizures.

According to the agency, the drugs were discovered on May 26, 2026, at a courier facility in Lagos. Officers recovered three kilograms of ketamine and 199 grams of MDMA hidden inside the water purification machines.

Confirming the development, the NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, said, “Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have uncovered consignments of high potency illicit drugs concealed in water purifier machines shipped to Lagos from Netherlands.”

The agency also recorded a major seizure in Kaduna State. NDLEA operatives arrested a couple, Musa Sunday and Mercy Sunday, along with Salomi Ezekiel after raiding a residence in the Gonin Gora area on May 24. During the operation, officers recovered 100 jumbo bags of skunk with a combined weight of 1,246 kilograms.

On the same day, operatives intercepted a 30-year-old suspect, Sunusi Musa, along the Abuja-Kaduna Highway at Jere. He was allegedly transporting 380 rounds of 7.62mm military ammunition to Katsina State. NDLEA said the suspect and the recovered ammunition were subsequently handed over to the relevant security agency for further investigation.

The agency also reported another breakthrough in Niger State. It stated, “In Niger State, NDLEA operatives acting on intelligence raided a warehouse at Gidan Kukah, Bosso Local Government Area, on May 27, where 457 kilograms of skunk were recovered.

“A suspect, Godwin Zakka, was later arrested at his residence in Minna in connection with the seizure.

“In Enugu State, operatives on patrol along the Onitsha–Enugu expressway intercepted a commercial vehicle marked JAY-158-YF on May 28, recovering 22,000 tramadol pills, 100 ampoules of pentazocine and 200 grams of bromazepam. A suspect, James Maigari Wisdom, was arrested,” NDLEA said.

Beyond enforcement activities, the anti-narcotics agency said it continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign in schools, places of worship, workplaces and communities across several states.

The agency stated, “With the same zeal, Commands and formations of the Agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse sensitisation activities in schools, worship centres, work places and communities, among others.”

NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), commended officers involved in the operations. He urged personnel to sustain efforts aimed at disrupting drug trafficking networks while expanding preventive campaigns across the country.

By Uzair Adam

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested three persons living with disabilities, including a 60-year-old man, over alleged involvement in drug trafficking during separate operations in Anambra and Kwara states.

The agency also disclosed that it uncovered a cannabis stash house valued at N5.8 billion in Lekki, Lagos, and dismantled a skuchies production factory within the state.

This was made known in a statement issued on Sunday by the agency’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi.

According to the statement, Romanus Nwabara, 60, was apprehended on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, after operatives tracked him to Akpaka Forest in Onitsha, Anambra State, where he was allegedly found in possession of 250 grams of skunk packaged in retail sachets.

Babafemi said in a separate operation at Ogbunike in the same state, NDLEA officers on Thursday, May 7, arrested another suspect, Amos Kenneth, 25, with 160.3 grams of Tramadol (225mg and 100mg), 80 tablets of Diazepam, 38.23 grams of Exol-5, and 176.93 grams of skunk.

He added that in Kwara State, operatives on patrol along Bode Saadu on Friday, May 8, intercepted a commercial vehicle, where a passenger identified as Usman Salisu was found with 6.3 kilograms of skunk concealed in a brown school bag.

In a major breakthrough, the NDLEA Special Operations Unit on Friday raided a mansion in Lekki, Lagos, allegedly used as a drug warehouse.

During the operation, 4,000 parcels of “Loud,” a potent strain of cannabis weighing 2,326 kilograms and valued at over N5.815 billion, were recovered.

The agency said two Mercedes-Benz buses and branded sachets used for packaging illicit drugs were also seized from the property located at 36 African Lane, Lekki Phase 1.

Elsewhere, Babafemi revealed that Emmanuel Osita Okeke, 38, was arrested with 129 kilograms of skunk at Nyanya in Karu, Nasarawa State, on Monday, May 4, 2026.

He further disclosed that operatives on patrol along the Okene–Lokoja highway in Kogi State on Friday intercepted a white commuter J5 bus heading to Abuja.

A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of 76 jumbo bags of skunk weighing 766 kilograms, while three suspects — Mathew Omohove, Ebuka Desmond, and Babangida Musa — were taken into custody.

The statement also noted that NDLEA officers uncovered a skuchies production site, where suspects were caught processing cannabis mixed with other illicit substances.

A total of 270 litres of the substance and 106 grams of Tramadol (225mg) were recovered.

Babafemi added that NDLEA commands nationwide sustained their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaigns across schools, places of worship, workplaces, and communities during the week.

The NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), commended the officers involved in the operations and urged them to maintain the agency’s momentum in drug supply reduction and public awareness efforts.

By Faith Mamman

Drug abuse has become a major concern in Nigeria, particularly among the youth. Many young Nigerians have fallen prey to the lure of sedatives and other illicit substances, often without a doctor’s prescription. This trend is not only alarming but also devastating, as it has the potential to destroy the future of these young individuals.

The victims of drug abuse often mistakenly believe that getting high will help them cope with depression and other emotional challenges. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Drug abuse only serves to exacerbate these problems, leading to a downward spiral of addiction, health issues, and social problems. The consequences of drug abuse are far-reaching and devastating, affecting not only the individual but also their families and communities.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), substance abuse can affect brain development and growth in youth, leading to risky behaviors, mental health issues, and a host of other problems. The physical effects of drug use on youth include paranoia and hallucinations, dangerously high body temperatures, irregular heartbeat and heart palpitations, heart attack or failure, stroke, seizures, and sleep disorders. In addition to these physical effects, drug abuse can also have severe mental and emotional consequences, including poor judgment, declines in academic performance, dependence on drugs, and mental health disorders.

There is a strong link between substance abuse and delinquency. According to the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, youth who use drugs are more likely to commit crimes, including violent and income-generating crimes. This is evident in the recent disorderliness in Nigeria, which could be attributed to drug abuse. A great percentage of perpetrators who have been brought to book are victims of drug abuse. Their masters brainwash them and furnish them with illicit drugs before sending them on evil errands.

To address the scourge of drug abuse among Nigerian youths, it is essential that we work together to create a safer and healthier society. This requires a collective effort from parents, educators, healthcare professionals, and law enforcement agencies. We must also support the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in its efforts to combat drug abuse and trafficking. By working together, we can help to prevent the spread of illicit substances and provide support to those affected by drug abuse.

In conclusion, drug abuse is a major concern in Nigeria, particularly among the youth. It is essential that we recognize the dangers of drug abuse and take action to prevent it.

Faith Mamman, Department of Mass Communication, University of Maiduguri.

By Uzair Adam

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have arrested a 62-year-old businessman, Nwabueze Nicholas Izueke, at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, for attempting to smuggle cocaine to China.

Izueke, who is based in Lagos, was arrested on Saturday, January 31, 2026, during the outbound clearance of Ethiopian Airlines flight ET940 to China via Addis Ababa.

The NDLEA said the suspect was subjected to a body scan after exhibiting suspicious behaviour, which confirmed that he had ingested illicit drugs.

“In the course of excretion observation, he expelled 95 wraps of cocaine in seven separate excretions,” the agency disclosed, adding that the total weight of the drugs was 1.589 kilograms.

The suspect, who claimed to be involved in clothing and auto parts trading in Lagos, reportedly confessed that he engaged in the trafficking to raise funds to complete the construction of his country home in Iwollo, Enugu State.

Meanwhile, the agency recorded several other major seizures across the country. In the Federal Capital Territory, NDLEA operatives uncovered a makeshift warehouse in Kubwa where 627.7 kilograms of skunk, a strain of cannabis, was recovered.

The agency also arrested Ebube Okeke, Evans Ugwu, Mohammed Eze Arinze and Friday Michael for attempting to traffic methamphetamine concealed in MP3 speakers from Enugu to Abuja and Kaduna between February 6 and 7.

On February 6, officers intercepted 1.8 kilograms of methamphetamine hidden inside Hollandia yoghurt packs along the Lagos–Mubi route, leading to the arrest of a 32-year-old suspect, Yusuf Abubakar.

In Oyo State, Shuaibu Abdulrahman, 29, was arrested with 149.6 kilograms of skunk, while Adeniyi Adeola, also known as Prince, was apprehended in Ibadan with more than 128,000 tablets of tramadol and pentazocine.

Drug kingpin Jimoh Nurudeen, 40, was equally arrested in Ibadan alongside his accomplice, Ogundipe Yusuf, 27.

Items recovered from them included eight litres of precursor chemicals, cannabis, cash and vehicles allegedly used in the production of synthetic cannabis.

In Kwara State, NDLEA operatives recovered 395,400 capsules of tramadol concealed inside a fuel tanker travelling from Lagos to Maiduguri. Additional seizures were recorded in Imo and Ondo states, where 203 kilograms and 420 kilograms of skunk were intercepted respectively.

The Marine Command of the agency also intercepted 31 wraps of cocaine from a suspect arriving from Côte d’Ivoire in Badagry, Lagos.

Further operations in Lagos and Enugu led to the recovery of Canadian Loud and Colorado cannabis from Adekunle Oluwatosin Olajide, as well as assorted illicit drugs from Emeka Okeke.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Federal Government has made drug tests compulsory for anyone applying for a job in the public service.

The move aims to tackle the growing problem of drug abuse and its effects on security and work performance.

The directive came in an official circular issued today by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF).

It orders all Permanent Secretaries and heads of Ministries, Departments, Agencies (MDAs), and parastatals to include drug screening in their hiring process.

According to the circular, all MDAs must work with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to carry out the tests and ensure they meet required standards.

The government said the policy is a response to the “alarming rate” of substance abuse, especially among young Nigerians.

It warned that the trend poses a serious threat to public health, the economy, workplace safety, and national security.

The statement was signed by Segun Imohiosen, Director of Information at the OSGF.

He stated that the administration is determined to safeguard the workforce from drug-related harms.

This new rule for federal jobs follows similar recent policies that introduced mandatory drug testing in universities and other sectors.

By Uzair Adam 

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Kano Strategic Command, says it has arrested a 27-year-old man in possession of nine kilograms of Cannabis Sativa (Colorado) valued at more than N10 million.

This was disclosed in a statement issued on Saturday in Kano by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Sadiq Muhammad-Maigatari.

He explained that the suspect, a resident of Fagge Local Government Area of Kano State, was arrested on August 6 along the Zaria–Kano Road by operatives of the Kiru Area Command while transporting 19 parcels of the substance from Lagos to Kano.

According to Muhammad-Maigatari, the suspect confessed to his involvement in the illicit trade and had been on the command’s watchlist before his arrest.

He noted that the seizure inflicted a major financial loss on the drug network, disrupting their supply chain and denying them revenue for further criminal activities.

“Removing this quantity from circulation also helps protect vulnerable communities from the social and economic harms associated with the trade in narcotics,” he said.

The spokesperson added that under the leadership of Abubakar Idris-Ahmad, the Kano Strategic Command will continue to strengthen patrols and intelligence-driven operations to curb drug trafficking in the state.

By Uzair Adam

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Kano State Strategic Command, has arrested a 23-year-old suspected notorious drug dealer, Faisal Yusuf-Umar, in Fagge Local Government Area of the state.

The Public Relations Officer of the command, Sadiq Muhammad-Maigatari, disclosed this in a statement issued in Kano on Sunday, saying the arrest followed a targeted surveillance operation prompted by community complaints about the suspect’s alleged illicit activities.

“On July 18, NDLEA operatives attached to the Fagge Area Command carried out a strategic operation at the suspect’s residence in Dandali, Fagge Local Government Area.

“A significant quantity of controlled substances was recovered, including 40 bottles (4kg) of Benylin with Codeine and cash amounting to N204,000,” Muhammad-Maigatari said.Quoting the State Strategic Commander, Abubakar Idris-Ahmad, he noted that the arrest demonstrated NDLEA’s unwavering commitment to dismantling drug trafficking networks across Kano.

“This operation is part of our broader strategy to take down drug dealers who pose a serious threat to the health and safety of our communities,” Idris-Ahmad said, adding, “We will continue to work tirelessly to ensure Kano remains safe and drug-free.”

The command urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to support the ongoing fight against drug abuse and trafficking in the state.