NDLEA Seizes N3.4 Billion Worth of Opioids in Lagos, Port Harcourt; Uncovers Explosives,Arrests Kingpin

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted a massive haul of illicit drugs valued at over N3.4 billion in coordinated operations across Lagos and Port Harcourt, while also uncovering explosives and arresting a long-sought drug kingpin.

Major Drug Busts in Lagos and Port Harcourt

According to a statement released on Sunday by NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the agency seized more than 3.5 million pills of opioids and 163,000 bottles of codeine syrup during separate operations in Lagos and Port Harcourt. The bulk of the seizure-two million pills of tafrodol 225mg and 163,000 bottles of codeine syrup-was made on April 29 during a joint inspection with Customs and other security agencies at the Port Harcourt Ports Complex, Onne.

In Lagos, 1.5 million pills of a controlled opioid were recovered from a suspect, Olarenwaju Wahab, in the Alaba-Rago area of Ojo. The source of this consignment was traced to a residence in Victoria Garden City, Lekki, belonging to one Obinna Kenneth, who is currently at large.

Drugs Concealed in Food Items, International Trafficking Foiled

At the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos, NDLEA operatives intercepted 42 parcels of “Canadian Loud”-a potent cannabis strain-totaling 20kg. The drugs were cleverly concealed in tins of chocolate, milo beverage, white kidney beans, and dark red kidney beans, arriving as part of cargo on a British Airways flight from Canada. Three suspects, including the receiver, Monsurat Ewawunmi Lawson, were arrested between April 30 and May 3.

In a related operation, businessman Bobby Morris Osas was apprehended at Lagos airport on May 2 while attempting to board a Turkish Airlines flight to Italy. A search of his luggage uncovered 8,130 pills of tramadol in various strengths. Another syndicate’s attempt to ship tramadol and skunk, hidden in bottles of body cream to Iraq via courier, was also thwarted by NDLEA officers.

Explosives and Additional Seizures Across States

On May 3, NDLEA operatives on patrol along the Kaduna–Zaria expressway intercepted a commercial vehicle traveling from Nasarawa to Zamfara. A search uncovered 942 explosives concealed in a sack, leading to the arrest of 30-year-old Nura Sani Muhammad (alias Nura Hariji). NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) has ordered the transfer of the suspect and exhibits to the appropriate security agency for further investigation.

Other notable arrests and seizures include:

• Five syndicate members led by Aminu Musa (aka Kadagi) arrested in Kano with 50 blocks of skunk weighing 21.6kg.
• In Edo State, a white Toyota bus conveying assorted opioids from Onitsha to Auchi was intercepted, yielding 314,020 pills of tramadol, rophynol, diazepam, exol5, 638 bottles of codeine syrup, and 200 ampoules of pentazocine injection. Suspect Dare Adeyemo was detained.
• In Anambra, 50,400 capsules of tramadol, 500 tablets of co-codamol, and 300 ampoules of pentazocine injection were seized from a commercial bus, with suspect Chinedu Eneh arrested.
• In Niger State, 5,500 capsules of tramadol and 2,300 ampoules of pentazocine injection were recovered from a truck, and suspect Yusuf Abubakar was arrested.

Kingpin Apprehended After 10 Months

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After a ten-month investigation, NDLEA operatives on April 26 arrested Dominic Chiegozie Obijiaku, the 52-year-old Managing Director of Ovidaq International Ltd, for his role in importing 2,616,060 pills of tramadol intercepted at Apapa seaport in July 2024. A follow-up search at his Lekki residence led to the seizure of 51 wraps of Canadian Loud cannabis weighing 34 grams.

NDLEA’s Ongoing Advocacy and Commendation

The NDLEA continues its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy, conducting sensitization lectures in schools and communities nationwide. Chairman Marwa commended the agency’s officers across various commands for their efforts in balancing drug supply reduction with demand reduction through public education and community engagement.

He urged all Nigerians, including community and religious leaders, to support the fight against illicit drugs, emphasizing that collective action is essential to keeping communities safe.