Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted consignments of cocaine and tramadol concealed in 71 vehicle side mirrors being exported to Libreville, Gabon, through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos.
The first batch of the consignment, containing 57,420 pills of tramadol 225mg and 57 pellets of cocaine weighing 1.6kg, was intercepted on July 19, 2025, on an Air Côte d’Ivoire flight. Cargo agent Ihekweme Osinachi Benedict was arrested immediately, leading to the arrest of Uzochukwu Godspower Chukwurah the next day.
Further investigations uncovered 11 more parcels of cocaine (1kg) hidden in four side mirrors at Uzochukwu’s residence, bringing the total haul to 68 parcels weighing 2.6kg.
In a related operation, NDLEA operatives arrested a businesswoman, Mrs. Nwafor Roseann Nneka, on August 1 at the Trade Fair Complex, Ojo, Lagos. Her arrest followed the interception of cocaine (100g) and phenacetine (300g) concealed in ladies’ lipsticks destined for Equatorial Guinea. Two cargo agents linked to the shipment were earlier arrested. Nneka confessed to sourcing the lipsticks, while her husband, Remigus Nwafor—now on the run—handled the concealment.
Also in Abuja, three dispatch riders were arrested during stop-and-search operations on July 30 for distributing illicit substances around Gwarimpa, Jahi, and Galadimawa. The suspects—Sabo Sule (24), Samuel Nnamdi (28), and Idris Jibrin (28)—were caught with 149.8g of Canadian Loud. Two others, Aliyu Abubakar (25) and Adekunle Agbabiaka (30), were arrested on August 2 with 91.1kg of skunk along the Abaji-Gwagwalada expressway.
In Lagos, Joseph Michael was arrested on August 2 in Mushin with 3.3kg of Colorado, while Ibrahim Sulaiman was caught on August 1 in Yaba with 16.5 litres of skuchies.
In Benue State, Hussein Yusuf (37) was caught on August 1 with 100,000 tramadol capsules at an NDLEA checkpoint along the Vandeikya-Ogoja road. On the same day, operatives in Edo State raided a warehouse in Ekpoma, arresting William Alabi (44) and seizing 233.5kg of skunk.
In Borno, Umar Aminu (38) was arrested on August 1 at the Maiduguri airport for concealing tramadol pills in footwear. In Ogun, Yahaya Aminat Seyi was nabbed with 7,218 tramadol pills during a raid at Oja Odan, while in Oyo, Oladeji Saka (54) was arrested with 77.5kg of skunk in Ibadan.
In Delta State, Benson Izah (40) was found with 12.5kg of skunk, 1kg of tramadol, and 14.4 litres of codeine in Abraka. In Bayelsa, Chief Emeka Opara (52) and Onuoha Chidinma (25) were arrested in Amassoma with 41,705 tramadol capsules. In Kano, Bashir Gambo (30) was caught with 61kg of skunk in Tudun Wada LGA.
In Osun, Kabiru Ayinde (40) and Roqeeb Adekanmbi (25) were arrested in Iwo town with 90kg of skunk, 36.3g of methamphetamine, a Toyota bus, and ₦228,200 in cash.
Meanwhile, the NDLEA continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign across schools, worship centres, transport hubs, and traditional institutions. Activities were held in Yobe, Sokoto, Borno, Enugu, and Osun states, including a courtesy visit to the Oluwo of Iwo land.
Commending the efforts, NDLEA Chairman/CEO Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) praised officers across commands for their dedication and urged continued vigilance in the agency’s balanced drug control strategy.
