In a move proving that “wonders shall never end,” operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) arrested Uche Franklin Onyekwere, a Brazil-based Nigerian businessman, at the Lagos airport. He was apprehended at the arrival hall of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) for concealing parcels of cocaine within his genitals and the soles of his footwear.
In a statement released Sunday, February 1, NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy Femi Babafemi confirmed the arrest of 47-year-old Uche Franklin Onyekwere during a nationwide drug sweep.
Acting on targeted intelligence, operatives intercepted Onyekwere on Thursday, January 29, 2026, as he arrived from Brazil via a South African Airways flight. While the suspect attempted to clear customs, a high-tech full-body scan flagged “illicit concealments,” prompting an immediate strip search.
However, the search yielded significant results: officers discovered a large parcel of cocaine strapped to his right thigh and two additional wraps expertly stashed within the soles of his shoes.
”In all, three large wraps of cocaine, with a gross weight of 1.60 kilograms, were recovered from his body and footwear.
During a preliminary interview, the suspect revealed he purchased the illicit drug consignment in Brazil with the intention to resell the cocaine in Nigeria in order to raise capital to boost his business and also finance the naming ceremony of his newly born child.
”The suspect who lives in Rua Ever, Mulariuha, São Paulo, claimed that he has been living in Brazil since 2008 while he has been operating a toy business for about nine years.”
In another major breakthrough for the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Lagos maritime hub, operatives intercepted 55 jumbo bags of “Canadian Loud”—a high-potency cannabis strain—at the Tincan Seaport.
”During a joint examination on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, NDLEA officers, alongside Customs and other security agencies, uncovered the massive shipment weighing 1,183 kilograms. The illicit drugs, imported from Montreal, Canada, were found meticulously concealed inside two vehicles—a Hyundai SUV and a Toyota Matrix within a single shipping container.
In Niger State, the NDLEA recorded another major win following a high-stakes intelligence-led operation. In the early hours of Tuesday, January 26, operatives intercepted a long truck (marked T 31589 LA) along the Dei-Dei Abuja expressway, leading to the arrest of a three-man syndicate: Andy Chidogu (49), Kenneth Ogene (45), and Sadiq Olanrewaju (27).
According to the Agency, the search uncovered a massive haul of 176 bags of skunk weighing 2,735 kilograms, alongside 1 kilogram of Colorado, a potent synthetic cannabis, all expertly concealed within the vehicle.
Further investigation exposed a carefully planned smuggling operation. Kenneth Ogene, the truck driver, had initially left Lagos on January 23 with a legitimate load of “800 bags of flour” heading for Ekpoma, Edo State. After completing that delivery, he “negotiated to transport the 176 bags of skunk and 1kg Colos for N1.7 million,” intending to use the empty truck for the illegal return journey.
In a series of high-impact interdictions in Edo State, NDLEA operatives dealt a massive blow to drug trafficking networks. On Tuesday, January 27, officers intercepted Shaibu Yusuf along the Auchi-Abuja expressway as he scouted for a vehicle to transport 66 bags of skunk. The illicit cargo, weighing 792kg, was found “concealed in bags of charcoal” destined for Katsina.
The momentum continued on Wednesday, January 28, as NDLEA personnel, supported by the Nigerian Army, stormed a cannabis plantation at Ebora Camp in Esan South East LGA. In a scorched-earth operation, the joint team destroyed 4,063.675kg of skunk across a 1.6-hectare farm.
The raid also led to the recovery of 328kg of processed cannabis and seeds, resulting in the arrest of four suspects: Jeremiah Nwodeh (46), Chukwudi Pius (33), Pius Ogaba (46), and Onora Kwene (35).
In a creative but failed smuggling attempt in Anambra State, NDLEA operatives intercepted a cement truck at Upper Iweka, Onitsha, on Wednesday, January 28.
During a thorough search of the trailer, which was bound for Nkpor, officers discovered 345.2kg of skunk “concealed beneath layers of cement bags.” The illicit cargo was linked to 42-year-old Abum Okeke, one of the three occupants apprehended on-site.
In a double-pronged strike across Ondo and Kano States, NDLEA operatives continued their relentless crackdown on drug trafficking.
”On Monday, January 26, the Agency apprehended Tunde Ogundele (39) and Soji Elegbelye (46) in the Eleyewo community of Akure North, Ondo State, following the seizure of 473kg of skunk”
Simultaneously in Kano, operatives nabbed Abdullahi Usman (45) along Murtala Mohammed Way, recovering 12,500 ampoules of pentazocine injection. The momentum carried into Tuesday, January 27, when Musa Shuaibu (42) was intercepted in the Gaya area of Kano with 4,390 pills of tramadol’.
Operations at the Lagos and Seme border hubs yielded more wins for the NDLEA as operatives dismantled smuggling attempts across both land and sea corridors.
”On Friday, January 30, Oragwan Ekene was intercepted at Okeyson Park, Alaba, while attempting to transport 15.5kg of skunk to Onitsha, Anambra State. Earlier, on Tuesday, January 27, eagle-eyed officers at the Seme border arrival tarmac in Badagry apprehended Omang Peter Edward as he crossed from Cotonou, Benin Republic. A search of his luggage revealed 3.5kg of skunk meticulously “concealed within a sound system and two packets of cereal.”
Beyond enforcement, NDLEA formations nationwide intensified the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign over the past week, delivering high-impact sensitization programs across schools, workplaces, and worship centers.
Key outreach activities included WADA enlightenment lectures tailored for students and staff at:
Yobe: Government Day Junior Secondary School, Jaji Maji.
Abia: Boys Technical College, Aba.
Enugu: Government Technical and Vocational College, Obollo Orie.
Lagos: St. John’s R.C.M Primary School, Odomola Eredo, Epe.
Katsina: Yandaki Primary School, Kaita.
Oyo: Seed of Life College, Ibadan.
Through these grassroots engagements, the Agency continues to fortify communities and institutions against the scourge of drug abuse.
Commending the exceptional professionalism of officers across the MMIA, Tincan, Niger, Lagos, Edo, Anambra, Ondo, and Kano Commands, NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) hailed the latest wave of arrests and seizures as a testament to the Agency’s vigilance.
Marwa urged operatives nationwide to maintain their momentum, enjoining them to “continue the current balanced approach” by aggressively scaling up both drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts to secure a drug-free Nigeria.
