The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has dismantled two major drug syndicates allegedly responsible for multiple cocaine consignments bound for the United Kingdom, arresting six suspects, including the purported ringleader, Alhaji Hammed Taofeek Ode.
The agency disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday by its Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, detailing a series of coordinated operations conducted over three weeks across Lagos State.
According to Babafemi, the breakthrough came on September 16, 2025, when NDLEA operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, intercepted 174 parcels of cocaine weighing 13.4 kilograms, hidden in containers of cocoa butter body cream.
“In a series of intelligence-led operations that lasted over three weeks, our officers successfully dismantled two major drug cartels behind six different consignments of cocaine concealed in stainless cups, body cream, and hair gel containers,” Babafemi said.
He noted that the first breakthrough led to the arrest of a cargo agent, whose interrogation later exposed the involvement of Ode, a businessman and real estate developer.
The agency, with the cooperation of the police, eventually apprehended Ode after tracking his activities.
During interrogation, Ode reportedly confessed to owning the illicit consignment, stating that he purchased the drugs for over ₦150 million.
“He claimed to be a businessman and estate developer following his return from the United Kingdom in 2024 after living for over 27 years in countries including Austria, the Netherlands, France, Germany, Saudi Arabia, and the UK,” Babafemi added.
Further investigations led to the interception of two other UK-bound consignments at the MMIA on October 2, 2025, concealed within crayfish, stainless cups, and hair cream containers. Two suspects — Ogunbiyi Oluseye Taiwo and Popoola Francis Olumuyiwa — were arrested in connection with the seizures.
“One of the consignments contained crayfish and 12 stainless cups used to conceal 1kg of cocaine, while another had 36 hair cream containers used to hide 1.6kg of cocaine,” the statement read.
In another operation, NDLEA operatives foiled a smuggling attempt involving 6.3 kilograms of ‘loud,’ a potent strain of cannabis, hidden in bedsheets and hibiscus flowers from Thailand.
The agency also conducted a joint operation with the Nigeria Customs Service along the Danbatta-Daura Road in Kano State, leading to the arrest of 38-year-old Sa’adu Ali and the seizure of over 290,000 pills of tramadol and pregabalin capsules.
In Lagos, NDLEA arrested a suspected drug dealer, John Igbe, popularly known as “SammyBless,” who allegedly distributed drugs in the Lekki and Ajah areas. Officers recovered 550 grams of Colorado, a synthetic strain of cannabis, during his arrest.
Three other suspects — Idris Lukman, Fuad Abdulsalam, and Mobolaji James — were apprehended in Mushin with 109 kilograms of skunk, 20 bottles of codeine syrup, and 2 kilograms of nitrous oxide.
At the Trade Fair Complex in Alaba, NDLEA officers also seized 3,700 bottles of codeine syrup and 550,000 expired diclofenac tablets.
Elsewhere, 27,700 tramadol pills were recovered from 25-year-old Salisu Abubakar in Kwara State, while Blessing Ovaka, 50, was arrested with 498.5 kilograms of skunk in Kaduna State. Another suspect, Dahiru Salisu, was nabbed with 34,180 tramadol capsules along the Kaduna–Zaria road.
Babafemi reaffirmed the NDLEA’s commitment to dismantling drug trafficking networks and cutting off their international supply chains.
“These arrests and seizures demonstrate our resolve to identify, track, and neutralize criminal groups that threaten Nigeria’s security and reputation,” he said.
The NDLEA has, in recent months, intensified its anti-narcotics operations, intercepting various shipments concealed in cosmetic containers, crayfish packages, lace fabrics, lipsticks, and even charms, bound for destinations such as the UK, Saudi Arabia, Australia, and Brazil.
