NDLEA Unleashes Major Blow Against Drug Trafficking: N6.5 Billion Opioids Seized, 2 British Men Arrested

LAGOS/PORT HARCOURT – In a series of massive operations that sent shockwaves through Nigeria’s illicit drug trade, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted a staggering N6.524 billion worth of opioids at ports in Lagos and Rivers states. The agency also announced the arrest of two British nationals and two Nigerians for attempting to smuggle 92 bags of “Loud” cannabis into the country.

The seizures, which highlight evolving tactics by drug cartels, were meticulously planned and executed based on intelligence and the tracking of new trafficking routes.

Record Opioid Haul at Ports
At the Port Harcourt Ports Complex in Onne, Rivers State, NDLEA operatives, working in conjunction with the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies, uncovered six million pills of opioids (including tramadol 225mg, tapentadol 225mg, and carisoprodol 225mg) and 162,000 bottles of codeine-based cough syrup. These illicit substances were found in two separate containers on Monday, May 19, and Tuesday, May 20, 2025.

Similarly, at the Apapa seaport in Lagos, a joint examination conducted by NDLEA operatives on Thursday, May 22, led to the discovery of another 170,000 bottles of codeine syrup in a watch-listed container. The combined street value of these intercepted opioids and codeine syrup is estimated at an astounding N6,524,000,000.00.

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British Nationals Among Those Busted for Cannabis Smuggling
In a separate but equally significant operation at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos, NDLEA operatives foiled an attempt to smuggle 92 bags of “Loud,” a potent strain of cannabis weighing 51.10kg. Two British nationals, Mhizha Jordan Alexander Tatendra and Ayedipe Andrew Adejuwon, alongside two Nigerians, Shonowo Oluwaseun Imole and Ofuoma Omokaro Ayobami, were arrested in connection with the illicit consignment.

Alexander was intercepted upon his arrival at the MMIA on a Qatar Airline flight on Thursday, May 15. He was allowed to pass through security unhindered and was closely monitored by NDLEA operatives. He was apprehended at the car park where the owner of the cargo, Ayedipe Andrew Adejuwon (a Nigerian British national), was waiting in an SUV with his relation, Shonowo Oluwaseun Imole, and the driver, Ofuoma Omokaro Ayobami.

Alexander confessed he was recruited during a recent vacation and promised £1,300 for a successful delivery in Lagos. Ayedipe Andrew Adejuwon, identified as the syndicate’s mastermind, admitted to arriving in Nigeria a day earlier from South Africa via Ghana. A follow-up raid at their Lekki apartment led to the recovery of N3,810,500 cash, an Apple laptop, an iPhone 14 Pro Max, and four canisters of laughing gas (Nitrous Oxide), in addition to N93,000 and 17,200 South African Rand found on Ayedipe at the point of his arrest.

Extensive Farm Destructions and Other Nationwide Busts
The agency’s relentless War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) also extended to cannabis farms and various illicit drug activities across the country.

In Cross River State, 75,000 kilograms of skunk were destroyed across 30 hectares of cannabis farms at Esuk-Odot village in Odukpani LGA on Wednesday, May 22, where an additional 200kg of the substance was recovered. Edo State saw the destruction of 1,957.5kg of skunk at Ohosu forest, Ovia South West LGA, and Okhuse community forest, Owan West LGA, on Friday, May 23, and Saturday, May 24.

Elsewhere, in Nasarawa State, Sunday Daniel, 51, and Abu Peter, 30, were arrested in Keffi on Saturday, May 24, with 4,000 kilograms of skunk concealed under unprocessed wood in their lorry. Godwin Obi, 39, was also apprehended in Karu on Wednesday, May 21, with 154.5kg of the same substance.

Further operations yielded significant results:

1.Kaduna: Muhammad Hamza, 22, was intercepted on the Kaduna-Zaria expressway at Gwargwaje on Wednesday, May 21, with 57,750 pills of tramadol and diazepam.

2.Bauchi: Usman Muhammad, 45, was arrested along the Bauchi-Misau road on the same day with 80 blocks of skunk weighing 45kg.

3.Yobe: Adum Muhammed, 29, was attempting to smuggle 55 parcels of Colorado (2kg) into Chad via Ngamboru Ngala border town in Borno State when he was intercepted on the Potiskum–Damaturu road.

4.Niger: Adams Ayibakro was arrested on Thursday, May 22, on the Mokwa-Jebba road with a Mercedes Benz car loaded with 235 blocks of compressed cannabis sativa weighing 97kg.

5.Lagos: Raids in the Osapa London area of Lekki led to the arrest of Jonathan Isa with various quantities of Cocaine, Methamphetamine, Molly, Rohypnol, Codeine, Cannabis, and Nitrous Oxide. Another raid at Idasun, Eleko, Ibeju Lekki on Saturday, May 24, resulted in the arrest of Olamilekan Idowu and the seizure of 48kg skunk.

WADA Continues to Drive Awareness
Beyond enforcement, the NDLEA’s “War Against Drug Abuse” (WADA) social advocacy activities continue nationwide. Sensitization lectures were delivered to students and staff of Adamu Babbale Government Secondary School, Dimirkol, Katsina; Mary Hanney Secondary School, Oron, Akwa Ibom; Nnodo Secondary School, Abakaliki, Ebonyi; Government Secondary School, Guyuk, Adamawa; and Government Girls Islamic Secondary School, Gwagwarwa, Kano. The Lagos State command of NDLEA also paid a WADA advocacy visit to the Sarkin Fulani of Lagos, Alhaji Muhammadu Bambado.

Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, commended the officers and men of the various commands for their diligence in these arrests and seizures. He praised their dedication to achieving a balanced approach between drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts across the country.