In a major blow to transnational narcotics trafficking, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted 1.63 million pills of tramadol (250mg) and dismantled a sophisticated criminal syndicate operating along the Togo–Benin Republic–Nigeria corridor.
The operation, detailed by the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, on Sunday, July 19, 2026, marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to curb the flow of illicit opioids.
Strategic Interceptions and Arrests
The intelligence-led crackdown targeted trucks moving illicit substances from Lagos toward Kano. Investigations confirmed that three separate truckloads—intercepted on June 21, July 2, and July 4—belonged to the same smuggling network.
The specific seizures included:
- July 2: Officers tracked a truck along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, recovering 853,000 tramadol pills hidden in a fabricated compartment beneath the cargo floor. The driver, 22-year-old Jabir Kabiru, was arrested.
- July 4: A second trailer was intercepted on the same route, leading to the recovery of 777,000 pills and the arrest of 22-year-old driver, Muhammed Nuhu.
Multi-State Enforcement Successes
Beyond the Lagos–Kano route, the NDLEA executed coordinated operations across several states, resulting in the following arrests and seizures:
- Rivers State: An 80-year-old man, Chika Ugwoji, was taken into custody in Ahoada on July 14 after being found with 800 grams of skunk.
- Edo State: A couple, Christian (32) and Nwanneka Christian (33), were arrested following a raid on a warehouse in Benin City. Operatives seized 219.5kg of cannabis sativa and 192.67kg of compressed Canadian Loud.
- Lagos Airport/City: A 44-year-old businesswoman, Chioma Nneka Mokeme, was arrested for importing 4.70kg of Canadian Loud from Canada concealed in cartons labeled “Odugwu”. Additionally, a Chadian woman, Hajara Abdullahi, and her accomplice, Abdulkarim Jidda, were apprehended in Apapa regarding 50,000 pills of tramadol (225mg) seized in Kogi State.
NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended the commands for these significant breakthroughs, reinforcing the agency’s commitment to dismantling drug trafficking networks and protecting public health through ongoing advocacy and enforcement.
NDLEA intercepts 1.63 million tramadol pills
This video provides additional context regarding the security operations and inter-agency collaborations involved in recent drug seizure efforts.
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