Category: NDLEA

War on Drugs: Tinubu Pledges Innovation and Hails NDLEA as 18-Month Interceptions Hit 5M Kg Worth N1.5T

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared a zero-tolerance stance on drug trafficking, pledging innovative, evidence-based interventions to wipe out substance abuse across Nigeria. In a statement released Friday, June 26, NDLEA Director of Media & Publicity Femi Babafemi noted that President Tinubu vowed to sustain the momentum against drug cartels during the 2026 World Drug Day finale in Abuja. The President’s charge was delivered by the Attorney General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, San. Amplifying this year’s theme:“The World Drug Problem: Persisting Issues, New Challenges, Innovative Responses,” the President…

NDLEA Crushes Multi-Billion Nigeria-Mexico Cartel in Oyo Forest, Arrests 5; Marwa Warns, “We Will Find You”

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has struck another massive blow against transnational drug networks after discovering and dismantling a fortified, industrial-scale meth laboratory in Oyo State. Operated by a notorious Nigeria-Mexica cartel, the clandestine facility was hidden deep within the forests of Tapa Village, Ibarapa North LGA According to a statement by NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, this breakthrough comes just four weeks after the agency dismantled a similar large-scale meth laboratory in an Ogun State Forest. The repeat bust highlights a desperate attempt by…

NDLEA Seizes China-Dubai Drugs in Ladies’ Bags; Grandparents Arrested for Peddling to Kids, Wanted Couple Cornered

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Age is no barrier to crime. This was starkly proven in Umuahia, the Abia State capital, where operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) arrested Godfrey Orji, 84, and Godwin Obulunbiya Obiora, 75. The grandfathers are now cooling their heels in custody for allegedly running an illicit drug ring targeting teenage secondary school students. According to a Sunday statement by NDLEA Spokesman Femi Babafemi, Pa Obiora was busted on Friday, June 19, following tip-offs that he was retailing narcotics to students from his patent medicine store at 4…

World Drug Day 2026: UNODC Backs NDLEA as Marwa Unveils Plan to Target Cartels

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In a major stride for Nigeria, the NDLEA and the UNODC have announced a week of high-impact events to commemorate World Drug Day 2026. Amid the celebrations, Nigeria’s anti-narcotics agency delivered a fierce warning: it will continue striking criminal networks to completely choke off their supply lines. This was disclosed in a statement by the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, during a joint NDLEA-UNODC press briefing at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja today, Friday, June 19, 2026. Addressing the conference, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig.…

Senate Committee Assures NDLEA of Support Following Ikpea-Marwa Talks

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The Senate Committee on Drugs and Narcotics has assured the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) of its unwavering support in the ongoing war against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking. Senator Joseph Igiagbe Ikpea, the newly appointed Chairman of the Senate committee, gave the assurance on Monday, June 16, during a courtesy visit to the NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd), at the agency’s national headquarters in Abuja. Senator Ikpea noted that his visit was aimed at learning from and partnering with the agency. Expressing…

Marwa: N6.1B Auction of Forfeited Cartel Properties Sends Clear Message

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In a major blow to the financial lifelines of drug cartels, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has successfully auctioned a Lagos hotel and three other premium properties seized from notorious kingpins. Legally forfeited to the Federal Government through rigorous court processes, the premier assets fetched a staggering N6.14 billion (N6,148,964,000.00). The multi-billion naira recovery followed a competitive bidding process for the sale of eight assets forfeited by drug barons across Nigeria. In a statement released on Monday, June 15, the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi,…

Soaked in Shirts and Towels: NDLEA Foils Brazil Cocaine Plot, Busts Multi-State Drug Network, Arrests PWDs

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Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have thwarted a major smuggling attempt, arresting 41-year-old Brazil-based businessman Abugu Oliver Ikechukwu. The suspect was intercepted with 6.10 kilograms of liquid cocaine, chemically infused into shirts and towels, as part of the agency’s relentless nationwide crackdown on illicit substances. According to a Sunday, June 14 statement by NDLEA Spokesman Femi Babafemi, Abugu’s run ended at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos. Operatives nabbed the suspect on Thursday, June 11, 2026, just as he disembarked from an Ethiopian Airlines…

Nigeria Slams Cartels With $6M Fine, Convicts 11 Sailors as Marwa Issues Stern Warning

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In another major victory for Nigeria’s anti-narcotics campaign, a Federal High Court in Lagos has on Thursday, June 11, convicted 11 Indian sailors and their merchant vessel, MV Aruna Hulya, over a 31.5-kilogram cocaine shipment. The swift conviction comes barely six months after operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) intercepted the illicit cargo at the Apapa Seaport. The vessel and its crew, who smuggled the drugs into Nigeria from the Marshall Islands, were slapped with a staggering $6 million fine. NDLEA Spokesperson Femi Babafemi confirmed the development…

NDLEA Intercepts Opioids Hidden in Building Materials; Arrests Septuagenarian, Nabs 4 Female Dealers.

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A relentless nationwide offensive by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dealt a major blow to drug cartels, resulting in the interception of massive opioid shipments hidden within building materials. According to a Sunday statement by Femi Babafemi, the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, the crackdowns spanned multiple states, netting a 75-year-old suspect in Ebonyi and four notorious female dealers across Edo, Imo, Kano, and Gombe. Items recovered from the truck included 320,840 capsules of tramadol, 600 ampoules of pentazocine injection, 4,500 pills of rohypnol, and 299…

NDLEA Uncovers European Drug Shipments in Purifiers, Intercepts 380 Military Ammunition Rounds, Arrests Couple

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Cartels continue to innovate, but the NDLEA stays steps ahead. In its latest victory against the illicit drug trade, operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency dismantled a sophisticated smuggling attempt at the Lagos port. High-potency narcotics, stealthily hidden inside water purifier machines shipped from the Netherlands, were uncovered before hitting Nigerian streets. According to a statement released on Sunday, May 31, by the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the illicit drug consignments were intercepted on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at a Lagos courier firm. Operatives…