In a relentless crackdown on illicit trafficking, operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted UK and Australia-bound consignments of cocaine and synthetic opioids. The contraband was ingeniously concealed within the carton walls of packages containing clothing and other export goods.
Confirming the major bust, Femi Babafemi, NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, stated on Sunday, May 17, that “two seizures were recorded at a courier company in Lagos on Friday 15th May 2026 during examination of shipments going to the UK and Australia.” The agency’s spokesperson added that “A total of 170grams of cocaine sealed in cellophane parcels and buried in the walls of a carton of cloths heading to Australia were recovered. A wide range of opioids including: 200 ampoules of pentazocine injection; 1,100 capsules of tramadol and 100 ampoules of promethazine injection were recovered from another carton which has United Kingdom as its final destination.”
The anti-narcotics agency also intensified its onslaught on drug farms. The statement reported that “In Delta state, NDLEA operatives on Sunday 10th May raided Ejeonu village in Ukwuani local government area where they destroyed 27,500 kilograms of skunk on 11 hectares of farmland and recovered 22.9kg of same substance while a 52-year-old suspect Ifeanyichukwu Peter was arrested in a follow up operation at Obiaruku.” Expanding on the crackdown, the report noted that “A similar raid in Orogun village, Ughelli North LGA on Tuesday 12th May led to the destruction of 37,500 kilograms and recovery of 55.4kg of same psychoactive substance on 15 hectares of farm as well as the arrest of 30-year-old Godwin Vincent Osadera. This brings the total weight of skunk destroyed by NDLEA operatives supported by soldiers in the two operations to 65,000 kilograms.”
Highlighting the grim intersection of narcotics and national security, a suspect was intercepted with a dangerous cargo of drugs and ammunition. The agency confirmed that “while 361kg skunk was recovered and a suspect Husaini Suleiman, 42, arrested during a raid operation at Dan Magaji area of Zaria town, Kaduna state on Wednesday 13th May, a large cache of military-grade ammunition was intercepted by NDLEA officers on patrol along Abuja-Kaduna highway, Kaduna on Tuesday 12th May.” In a bizarre concealment method, “A suspect, 35-year-old Abdullahi Hassan was caught conveying the 1,989 rounds of RLA 7.62mm concealed in fresh white cassava granules locally known as garri. Both the suspect and exhibit have since been transferred to another security agency for further investigation.”
Scoring another major victory in the heart of the nation’s capital, anti-narcotics operatives successfully neutralized a specialized drug supply chain. The agency confirmed that “In FCT Abuja, NDLEA operatives on Monday 11th May arrested a 29-year-old businessman Ogadi Peter who specializes in producing drug laced cakes and cookies for parties and social gatherings in the capital city.” Giving details on the sting operation, the statement added: “Following credible intelligence, he was traced to his home in Life Camp area of the FCT where he was nabbed while 800grams of skunk and 2.70kg drug laced cookies recovered from him.”
Expanding its dragnet across regional borders, the agency also recorded major seizures in the South-West and North-East. While NDLEA operatives recovered 181kg of skunk from a suspect, Aliyu Sani, during a raid in the Ogere area of Ogun State on Wednesday, May 13th, another breakthrough was achieved in Taraba State. On Thursday, May 14th, operatives along the Zaki-Biam road in Wukari LGA intercepted 27-year-old Sufiyanu Mohammed Misa with a massive cache of 105,850 opioid pills, including tramadol, diazepam, and exol-5.
Extending the crackdown to Oyo and Edo states, anti-narcotics operatives neutralized more local syndicates and drug farms. On Thursday, May 14th, two suspects: Adeleke Olamide Aliyah, 20, and Aloba Abdulazeez, 25 were arrested at Challenge II in Saki town, Oyo State, over the seizure of 99 litres of ‘skuchies’. The following day, Friday, May 15th, a massive operational victory was recorded in Edo State, where NDLEA officers raided the Ago forest in Orhionmwon LGA, destroying a staggering 1,388.41 kilograms of skunk across two illicit farms.
However, acting on credible intelligence, NDLEA operatives in Kano State intercepted a highly deceptive smuggling attempt on Monday, May 11th. At the Kofar Ruwa motor park, officers recovered a 25-litre jerry can of palm oil being used to conceal 1.2kg of ‘Tramaking 225mg’ pills. In a parallel operation on the same day, operatives raided the Sabuwar Sharada area of the state, arresting 35-year-old Aminu Isa with 30.5kg of skunk.
Beyond making arrests, the NDLEA continues to battle substance abuse at the grassroots. Over the past week, various commands sustained the momentum of the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) social advocacy campaign across Nigeria. High-impact sensitization lectures were rolled out to students and faculty members across the country, making key stops at:
Oyo State: The Apostolic Church Model College, Ijokodo, Ibadan, Niger State: School of Health Technology, Lambata, Lagos State: Yewa Junior High School, Agege, Katsina State: Government Secondary School, Yardaje, Ekiti State: Igogo Commercial High School, Igogo Ekiti and Kano State: Government Girls Secondary School, Magwan.
Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (Rtd), Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, has poured accolades on the agency’s tactical commands.
He specifically praised the teams in DOGI, Delta, Kaduna, Oyo, Taraba, Kano, FCT, and Edo for a highly successful week of major busts and seizures.
The Chairman further applauded all commands nationwide for perfectly balancing aggressive supply-side crackdowns with grassroots demand-reduction advocacy.
