In a series of successful operations, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted multiple illicit drug shipments bound for the United States, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Poland, and the United Arab Emirates. The traffickers, attempting to smuggle cocaine, tramadol, Loud, Molly, and other substances concealed in prayer beads, board game packs, and female clothing, were stopped by NDLEA operatives at Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) and logistics companies in the city.
At least two suspects have been apprehended in connection with the thwarted drug exports. Among them is 43-year-old businesswoman Jakpor Egware May, who was caught at the airport’s Gate ‘C’ departure hall while attempting to board an Air France flight to Italy on March 8, 2025. A search of her luggage revealed 190 parcels of tramadol (225mg) and a parcel of skunk, a potent strain of cannabis. May admitted to purchasing the drugs herself, intending to resell them in Italy.
On March 11, NDLEA officers at the airport’s export shed arrested 60-year-old Yahaya Fatai Ayinla while he attempted to send a shipment of clothing concealing 400 grams of skunk to New York. Further interceptions at logistics firms in Lagos between March 10 and 12 uncovered over two kilograms of Loud, Molly, and tramadol concealed in Vitamin C bottles and female clothing, as well as 230 grams of cocaine hidden in prayer beads, shoe soles, and board game packs destined for Saudi Arabia, Poland, and the UAE.
Drug raids across multiple states
Beyond Lagos, NDLEA operatives executed raids in several states, seizing significant drug consignments:
- Kano State: On March 12, a 40-year-old suspect, Hassan Haruna, was arrested in Chalawa with 727 blocks of compressed skunk, weighing 479kg.
- Kogi State: On March 11, officers intercepted a commercial bus on the Kabba-Obajana highway, seizing 58,300 tramadol pills en route to Abuja.
- Kaduna State: A March 13 raid in Kachia led to the arrest of Idris Hamza, 21, with 4,900 tramadol pills. A follow-up operation on March 14 in Hayin Banki resulted in the arrest of 25-year-old Aminu Magaji and the seizure of 2,900 tramadol tablets.
- Kwara State: On March 14, NDLEA operatives intercepted 40,200 tramadol pills along Ilorin-Jebba expressway, while another 21,700 capsules were seized from Salisu Usman on March 13 along the Eiyenkorin expressway.
- Taraba State: On March 14, 35-year-old Polycarp Adeku was arrested in Kurmi LGA with 15.77kg of skunk.
- Osun State: A commercial bus from Idumota, Lagos, was intercepted in front of King University, Ode-Omu, on March 13 with 48.7kg of Ghanaian Loud, Colorado, and Canadian Loud strains of cannabis. Nine suspects were arrested in follow-up operations in Osogbo and Ile-Ife.
- FCT, Abuja: On March 11, 58-year-old Ade Esan (aka Pastor) was arrested on the Gwagwalada expressway with 27,800 tramadol pills, while 26-year-old Usman Mohammed was nabbed the same day in Wuse Zone 3 with skunk and cocaine.
- Abia State: On March 15, NDLEA operatives raided Ntigha community, Isiala-Ngwa North LGA, arresting 34-year-old Chinaza Nwogu (aka Young Money). The raid yielded 274 grams of heroin, 141 grams of methamphetamine, 2.931kg of cannabis sativa, 4 grams of cocaine, and N753,015 in cash.
As part of its nationwide War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative, NDLEA continued sensitization efforts in schools, worship centers, workplaces, and communities. Some of the schools visited last week include:
- U.P.E School, Ilara Epe, Lagos
- Government Day Secondary School, Jigalambu, Michika, Adamawa
- Agbegi High Grammar School, Dekina, Kogi
- Capital City Secondary School, Awka, Anambra
- Eso-Obe Comprehensive High School, Ikoro Ekiti, Ekiti
Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), praised the operatives for their commitment to reducing both the supply and demand for illicit drugs in Nigeria. He commended the officers in MMIA, DOGI, and the Kano, Kwara, Kaduna, Taraba, Abia, Osun, and FCT Commands for their operational successes and contributions to the agency’s fight against drug trafficking and abuse.
