The NDLEA has launched into 2026 with a series of high-impact busts, reinforcing its relentless ‘War Against Drug Abuse.’ From intercepting Ketamine and Ecstasy hidden in coffee mixes bound for the UK and Zambia in late December, to the New Year’s seizure of 31.5kg of cocaine at Apapa Port, the agency remains a step ahead. Most recently, 22 Indian crew members from the MV Aruna Hulya were taken into custody following the discovery of illicit cargo on January 2nd.
In a statement released Sunday, January 4, 2026, NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi confirmed the detention of 22 suspects following the discovery of 31.5kg of cocaine. The illicit cargo was intercepted in Hatch 3 of a vessel originating from the Marshall Islands.
Leading the list of detainees is the ship’s Master, Sharma Shashi Bhushan, alongside 21 crew members namely: Bharati Manoj Kumar; Bhalerao Nilesh Mukund; Nadar Anthony Macson David; Kolusu Srinivasa Rao; Sagar Gaurav; Francis Anto Beemas Nester; Jagdeep Singh; Jai Parkash; Prabhukhan Singh; Nevage Sandesh Suresh; Pandey Prashant; Nittu Anand; Akash Babu; Dasari Raju; Reddy Nandika Sanjeeba; Rana Nivesh; Melethil Insaf Rahman; Barla Chantanya Krishna; Ghosh Arijit; Mondal Raihan; and
Gangwar Shiv Om.
Similarly, a grandmother’s reign as a major drug distributor came to an end on Monday, December 29, 2025, when NDLEA operatives arrested 65-year-old Fatima Ilori, the notorious ‘’Mama Kerosine,’’ in Ibadan, Oyo State. The wanted kingpin was nabbed along with 35-year-old accomplice Olusanya Abosede after agents linked a massive 238.4kg shipment of skunk to her illicit operations.”
However,
In a significant blow to regional insecurity, the NDLEA has further choked the illicit drug supply chain fueling insurgents in Borno State. Two key suppliers were nabbed on January 2, 2026, during simultaneous operations. Along the Maiduguri-Gamboru Ngala road, agents intercepted Isa Mohammed (26) with 9,150 ampoules of Tramadol injection. On the same day, Musa Samaila (30) was caught at Biu Market with a massive haul of 34,000 Tramadol capsules.”
Authorities recorded a major breakthrough in Lagos on January 1, 2026, seizing over 400kg of skunk. The illicit consignment was intercepted alongside a getaway van in the Mobolaji Johnson area.
Meanwhile, in Jigawa State, the agency apprehended 39-year-old Bilya Ibrahim at a Hadejia motor park on Tuesday, December 30, 2025. Ibrahim was intercepted with 260 compressed blocks of skunk (140.8kg) sourced from Taraba State and destined for Nguru, Yobe State.”
NDLEA operatives achieved back-to-back breakthroughs in Kwara State to close out the year. On Tuesday, December 30, 2025, officers recovered 238.50kg of skunk during a raid on a residence in the Asadam area of Ilorin. This was followed by a New Year’s Eve sweep on Wednesday, December 31, where 32-year-old Abubakar Rabiu was intercepted at Bode Saadu, Morro LGA, with a combined seizure of 32,000 pills of Tramadol and Diazepam.
According to Babafemi while
scaling up the nationwide crackdown on substance abuse, the ”NDLEA commands intensified their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy over the past week. High-impact sensitization sessions reached diverse audiences, including students at Madrasatu Fadimatul Zahra Sabuwar Abuja Kankia in Katsina, the Topo Youth Progressive Organisation in Badagry, Lagos, and residents at the Palace of Hakimi Madalla in Niger State. From schools to workplaces and worship centers, the Agency remains committed to building drug-resilient communities across Nigeria.”
Following significant operational breakthroughs,
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), has commended the officers and men of the DOGI, Apapa, Oyo, Borno, Lagos, Kwara, and Jigawa Commands for their recent string of successful arrests and seizures. While lauding their high performance, Marwa charged the entire Agency to sustain this momentum, enjoining personnel nationwide to ‘intensify the ongoing drug control efforts’ and remain relentless in the pursuit of a drug-free Nigeria.”
