……Delta, Imo, Adamawa Interceptions; Ekiti, Ondo Warehouse Busts
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has achieved a monumental success in its efforts to rid the country of illicit substances, seizing over 7.6 million tramadol pills and more than 76,000 kilograms (76 tons) of various cannabis strains across multiple coordinated operations. The intelligence-led operations also resulted in the arrest of several members of Drug Trafficking Organisations (DTOs) and the destruction of clandestine facilities.
The agency’s Director of Media & Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, announced the success in a statement released on Sunday, December 7, 2025.
Key seizures and operations conducted between December 1 and 6, 2025, include:
Delta State Warehouse Raid: No less than 3,874,000 pills of tramadol (225mg and 100mg) and 252.2 litres of codeine syrup were recovered from a warehouse at Oko market, Asaba, on Saturday, December 6.
Imo State Interception: Operatives seized 1.2 million tablets of tramadol 225mg from a suspect, Kelechi Nwakocha (35), during a patrol along the Orogwe, Onitsha-Owerri road on Wednesday, December 3. The consignment was reportedly loaded in Aba, Abia State, and heading to Onitsha, Anambra State.
However, on Forest Operations: NDLEA operatives stormed forests in Ekiti and Ondo states, destroying large cannabis farms and illicit drug warehouses, including the destruction of 54,300kg of skunk in Asin-Ekiti and recovery of 5,442kg of the substance in Igoba forest, Akure North.
”NDLEA have recovered over 7.6 million pills of tramadol and a total of 76,273.4 kilograms of different strains of cannabis including Colorado, Loud and Skunk with several members of Drug Trafficking Organisations linked to the seizures arrested.
Out of the total opioids seized during the raids, not less than 3,874,000 pills of tramadol 225mg and 100mg, and others as well as 252.2litres of codeine syrup were recovered from a warehouse at Oko market, Asaba, Delta state on Saturday 6th December 2025, while no fewer than 1.2 million tablets of tramadol 225mg were seized from a suspect Kelechi Nwakocha, 35, on Wednesday 3rd December when NDLEA operatives on patrol at Orogwe, along Onitsha- Owerri road Imo state, intercepted his vehicle conveying the consignment which was loaded at Aba, Abia state, heading to Onitsha, Anambra state.” Babafemi said.
Detailing operations outside the Delta and Imo raids, the NDLEA statement highlighted an interception in Adamawa State.
”On Monday, December 1, 2025, officers flagged down a Toyota Hiace bus along the Maraba-Mubi road, uncovering 1.57 million capsules of tramadol and Exol-5 tablets hidden within jumbo bags of new rubber sandals and slippers. The agency arrested two suspects, 25-year-old Kabiru Buba and 32-year-old Hamza Abubakar, regarding the illicit shipment.”
In separate but related operations, the NDLEA detailed further seizures across different states.
”In Kano State, a suspect identified as Mudansir Rabiu (27) was apprehended along the Zaria-Kano road with 197,000 pills of Exol-5.
Simultaneously, operatives from the NDLEA’s special operations unit conducted a major sweep in Omuo-Ekiti, Ekiti State. The operation led to the destruction of a staggering 14,654 kilograms of skunk found within forest plantations. Two suspects, Yusuf Iliyasu (50) and Okumu Chinedu (26), were arrested in connection with the large-scale cultivation and seizure.”
The sustained anti-drug campaign by the NDLEA recorded several significant seizures and destructions during the week ending December 7, 2025:
”Ekiti State Forest Raids: On Tuesday, December 2, operatives stormed the forests of Asin-Ekiti, Ikole LGA. They successfully destroyed a massive 54,300kg of skunk found in two large warehouses that were subsequently razed. An additional 28.3kg was recovered for prosecution purposes.
Ondo State Bust: Acting on actionable intelligence, NDLEA agents raided the Igoba forest in Akure North LGA on Tuesday, December 2. The operation yielded 5,442 kilograms of cannabis (comprising 2,483 compressed blocks and 247 bags of the substance). Five suspects were arrested: Jacob Omodowo (66), Joy Oluatobi Peace (24), Babatunde Olamide (40), Echi Fidelis Joseph (57), and Ankrah Akano (56).
”Niger State Road Stop: On December 4, officers on patrol along the Mokwa-Jebba road in Niger State recovered 500kg of skunk from a Mercedes Benz van marked MGU 614 XB. The driver, Amos Yakubu (46), was arrested.
”FCT Abuja Interceptions:
A consignment of 22kg of Colorado (synthetic cannabis) was intercepted on December 3 at the Abaji expressway. A follow-up operation at Jabi Park led to the arrest of the female receiver, Ali Blessing (33).
On Friday, December 5, Aliyu Usman (39) was arrested along the Kwali-Gwagwalada expressway with 24kg of skunk and 573,500 pills of Exol-5.”
The agency’s operational successes extended into major urban centers, including Lagos.
“NDLEA operatives recovered 217 pouches of Canadian Loud weighing 113kg from a suspect Ezenwa Udoka at Ladipo market, Mushin,” a statement detailed.
While in separate incidents within the state, Izuchukwu Usulor was nabbed with 351kg of skunk in the Onipanu area on December 5, and Susan Okoro was arrested with 104.1kg of the same substance at the Trade Fair complex in Ojo on December 2.
The seizures continued in Edo State, specifically at ”Agho forest in Akoko Edo LGA, where a total of 447.5 kilograms of skunk were recovered from two Honda Accord cars (marked ABC-678 KK and GGE-772 FB). A suspect, 56-year-old Dada Adedara Babawibi, was apprehended. Further operations in the Isiefve community (Ohuwunde LGA) led to the seizure of 315.8kg of skunk and the arrest of Stanley Obasuwa.”
Beyond enforcement, the NDLEA maintained its robust commitment to public awareness. Commands and formations nationwide continued their “War Against Drug Abuse” (WADA) sensitization activities. This crucial outreach targeted schools, worship centres, workplaces, and communities, including lectures at St. Michael’s Academy in Kano, Harry Pass Secondary School in Benue, and Community Junior Secondary School in Rivers State.
NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) lauded the exemplary efforts of the multi-state operations team.
Marwa specifically commended the officers and men of the Special Operations Units (SOU) and the Delta, Adamawa, Imo, Ondo, Lagos, Kano, FCT, Niger, and Edo Commands for the massive arrests and seizures. He noted that
“their operational successes. especially their balanced approach to drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts are well appreciated,” highlighting the dual strategy essential for tackling the nation’s drug menace.’’
