As part of its intensified nationwide crackdown on illicit narcotics, operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have apprehended a 62-year-old Lagos-based businessman, Nwabueze Nicholas Izueke, at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA). Izueke was intercepted while attempting to board a flight to China with 95 jumbo-sized wraps of cocaine, weighing approximately 1.589 kilograms, concealed within his stomach.
“According to NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi, operatives at the Kano airport apprehended Nwabueze on Saturday, January 31, 2026. The arrest occurred during the screening of passengers for Ethiopian Airlines flight ET940, as the suspect attempted to smuggle narcotics to China through a transit stop in Addis Ababa.”
Further details from the agency reveal a desperate motive behind the crime:
“A body scan confirmed the presence of illicit drugs, leading to the suspect’s immediate placement under medical observation. The 62-year-old Lagos businessman, who purportedly trades in apparel and auto parts, eventually excreted 95 wraps of cocaine in seven stages. He cited financial pressure as his motive, stating he intended to use the proceeds to finish building his villa in Iwollo, Enugu State.”
The agency recorded further milestones across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Kaduna, where operatives successfully dismantled multiple trafficking attempts:
”A staggering 627.7 kilograms of skunk—a potent strain of cannabis was recovered from a makeshift warehouse located within Fums Plaza in Kubwa, FCT:
”In a separate operation, NDLEA officers in Abuja foiled an attempt by Ebube Okeke, Evans Ugwu, Mohammed Eze Arinze, and Friday Michael to smuggle methamphetamine concealed inside MP3 speakers.
The consignment, transported by bus from Enugu, was intercepted on Friday, February 6th. A swift follow-up operation in Zuba, FCT, led to the arrest of Ebube Okeke, the owner of a parcel containing 173 grams of meth. The crackdown culminated on Saturday, February 7th, in Kaduna, where the trio of Evans Ugwu, Mohammed Eze Arinze, and Friday Michael were apprehended as they arrived to claim the second consignment of 28 grams of methamphetamine.”
In Taraba State, the agency recorded another significant breakthrough when tactical narcotics officers executed a high-stakes interception.
“At the Dan-anacha patrol point in the Gassol Local Government Area, operatives intercepted 32-year-old Yusuf Abubakar on Friday, February 6th. The suspect was transporting crates of Hollandia Yogurt from Lagos to Mubi, Adamawa State. Acting on precise intelligence, officers conducted a thorough search of the yogurt packs, discovering that several had been used to conceal a white powdery substance. The recovered haul tested positive for methamphetamine, with a total weight of 1.8 kilograms.”
The NDLEA’s streak of successes continued in Oyo State, where operatives dismantled multiple drug syndicates and production hubs.
“On Thursday, February 5th, officers arrested a 29-year-old Beninese national, Shuaibu Abdulrahman, at Ibudo-Igboho village in Sooro Kishi. During the raid, 149.6kg of skunk was discovered expertly concealed within rice shafts. This followed a separate operation in Ibadan on Wednesday, February 4th, where a suspect known as Adeniyi Adeola (a.k.a. Prince) was intercepted at Foko, Agbeni Market. A search of his truck (registration BDJ 767 YC) yielded a massive haul of pharmaceuticals, including 10,820 ampoules of pentazocine injection and 117,820 capsules of tramadol.”
The agency also struck a major blow against synthetic drug production in the state capital, Ibadan:
“In a high-impact raid on Saturday, February 7th, a 40-year-old drug kingpin, Jimoh Nurudeen, was apprehended at his production facility in the Badeku area of Ibadan. Nurudeen, who specialized in the manufacture of ‘Colorado’ (synthetic cannabis), was arrested alongside his 27-year-old accomplice, Ogundipe Yusuf. Recovered items included 8 litres of precursor chemicals, 14 grams of skunk, and various production paraphernalia. Additionally, operatives seized ₦7,408,400.00 in cash and two luxury vehicles: a Mercedes Benz SUV (ABC 832 AZ) and a Toyota Highlander (RBC 243 BS).”
In Kwara State, NDLEA operatives achieved a major breakthrough on Saturday, February 7, 2026, by intercepting a fuel tanker utilized for large-scale drug trafficking.
“During a high-stakes search of the tanker, which was transporting petrol from Lagos to Maiduguri, Borno State, officers uncovered a massive haul of 395,400 capsules of tramadol. The illicit narcotics were expertly concealed within various compartments of the fuel-laden vehicle. The driver was promptly taken into custody, and the truck was impounded as a forensic exhibit in the agency’s ongoing investigation.”
In a final wave of operations, the NDLEA further announced the dismantling of several trafficking rings across Lagos, Imo, and Ondo States:
“A couple, Izuchukwu Azubuike (37) and Ifunaya Mmadueke (32) was apprehended on Saturday, February 7th, at Umuaka, Njaba, Imo State, in possession of 203kg of skunk. Meanwhile, in Ondo State, a successful forest raid on Friday, February 6th, led to the recovery of 420kg of skunk from a hideout in Ikun Akoko.”
The agency’s Marine Command also struck a blow against cross-border smuggling:
“On Friday, February 6th, operatives intercepted Eze Nodebechi Austin upon his arrival from Côte d’Ivoire. He was caught at the Yekeme waterfront in Badagry, Lagos, arriving via passenger boat with 31 wraps of cocaine strategically hidden inside a handbag.
“On Wednesday, February 4th, Adekunle Oluwatosin Olajide was apprehended on Lagos Island. During the operation, officers recovered 3.6 kilograms of Canadian Loud and Colorado, marking another successful removal of potent synthetic cannabis from the streets.”
The momentum shifted to the Southeast, where a major dealer’s stronghold was breached:
“In Enugu, 37-year-old drug dealer Emeka Okeke was flushed out of his hideout on Akuruka Street, Asata, Ezeagu. A comprehensive search of the premises led to the seizure of a diverse cache of illicit substances, including skunk, methamphetamine, cocaine, and molly. In addition to the narcotics, operatives recovered ₦457,700 in cash, identified as proceeds of the illegal trade.”
Beyond the arrests, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) maintained its proactive momentum through its nationwide War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign, reaching schools, religious centers, and traditional institutions over the past week.
“WADA sensitization and enlightenment lectures were delivered to students and staff at Agulu Awka Community Secondary School in Anambra State, Okeodo Community High School in Igboora, Oyo State, and Wisdom Foundation Secondary School in Ado, Lagos.
In a significant move for community advocacy, the Niger State Command also paid a high-profile visit to the Emir of Suleja, Alhaji Mohammed Auwal Ibrahim, to strengthen the partnership against drug prevalence in the emirate.”
In a final commendation, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), lauded the exceptional performance of the officers across the country.
“Commending the officers and men of the MAKIA, Marine, FCT, Taraba, Oyo, Kwara, Imo, Ondo, and Lagos Commands for their recent string of arrests and seizures, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (Rtd) urged them and their colleagues nationwide to remain steadfast. He enjoined the personnel to sustain their current level of professionalism and unwavering commitment to both drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction initiatives, ensuring a drug-free future for the nation.”
