National Drug Law Enforcement Agency operatives have carried out a major nationwide offensive against drug trafficking, dismantling six criminal syndicates, seizing tons of illicit substances, and arresting nine kingpins.
The arrests were executed through a series of intelligence-driven operations targeting drug networks across the country.
NDLEA spokesman Femi Babafemi, in a statement on Sunday, revealed, “In one of such operations, NDLEA officers on Tuesday 18th November 2025 arrested two members of a drug trafficking organization in Onitsha, Anambra state when they showed up to take delivery of 5.40 kilograms of methamphetamine; 10.70 kilograms of Loud, a strong strain of cannabis; and 16grams of cocaine.
He added, “The first to show up at a logistics company in Onitsha for the collection of the consignments was 30-year-old electrical appliances dealer Ebulue Lotanwa Uzochukwu, who was promptly arrested, while shortly after, another member of the syndicate, 51-year-old South Africa returnee Christopher Michael Ndibuisi, showed up and was equally arrested.
“The consignments had arrived at the import shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja-Lagos, with airway bill number 118-12882973 arriving from South Africa on a Tag-Angola flight on 13th November 2025 and were immediately seized based on credible intelligence.
“A follow-up sting operation was thereafter organized in Onitsha, Anambra state, where the recipients, Uzochukwu and Ndibuisi, were arrested.”
In a separate operation at Lagos airport on Thursday, 20th November, NDLEA operatives intercepted a brake servo automobile part used to conceal 48 pellets and a block of cocaine weighing 2.30 kilograms, intended for export to Gabon.
“Following the arrest of a freight agent, Ameh Solomon, who presented the consignment for export, a follow-up at the ASMPDA market, Trade Fair Complex, Ojo, Lagos, led to the arrest of an auto parts dealer, Nwafor Tochukwu Boniface,” Babafemi explained.
Meanwhile, in Kogi state on Monday, 17th November, a trailer carrying 4,700 kilograms of skunk, a potent strain of cannabis, was intercepted at Kabba. Three suspects, Solomon Dauda, Friday Garba, and Daniel Danladi, were apprehended, and a subsequent operation in Jos, Plateau state, on Friday, 21st November, led to the arrest of the kingpin Marcus Danladi Dan Mangu, owner of the trailer and the drugs.
In Cross River state, a couple, 55-year-old Onun Okoi Okpotum and 52-year-old Itam Okoi Okpotum, were arrested on Wednesday, 19th November at their warehouse in Ugep, Yakur LGA, where 4,706 kilograms of skunk in 362 jumbo bags were recovered.
In Edo state, two women involved in producing and selling drug-laced brownies online were apprehended on Saturday, 22nd November in Benin City. Babafemi said, “At the point of their arrest, Praise Nwogu, was found with 12 plates and a cup of drug-laced brownies while Ebong Emem Oghosa, was nabbed with 76grams of skunk, 1.5grams of Colorado and drug-laced brownies.”
Other notable arrests included 35-year-old Shedrack Aminu in Ososo village, Akoko Edo LGA, with 59kg of skunk on Tuesday, 18th November; 24-year-old Chinoso Emmanuel Monday in Enugu with 10.1kg of skunk, 105,600 tramadol pills, 700 pentazocine ampoules, and 3,000 rounds of live ammunition on Wednesday, 19th November; and Umar Adamu, 23, in Kebbi state with 12,548 pills of opioids heading to a Boko Haram enclave.
Additionally, Anthony Mercy, 40, and Sunday Augustine, 39, were arrested on Monday, 17th November with 430.5kg of drugs along the Abaji-Abuja expressway, while Samson Dafe, 47, was apprehended at Dikko junction, Kaduna road, Tafa LGA, with 85,100 opioid pills and 5,456 bottles of codeine syrup.
Sani Mohammed’s premises in Shiroro LGA were raided on Thursday, 20th November, recovering 471.8 kilograms of compressed skunk.
In Lagos, Usman Ayoola Adegoke was arrested with 71kg of Canadian Loud, while Oluchi Celestine was apprehended with 2.6kg of Colorado packaged in branded containers.
Acting on intelligence, NDLEA operatives, supported by military personnel, raided the notorious Peti illicit drug enclave on Lagos Island, recovering 385 kilograms of skunk, Loud, and Colorado, alongside two suspects.
“No less than 163,200 capsules of tramadol 225mg were also recovered in another operation at a motor park in Maza Maza area of Lagos,” Babafemi noted.
Alongside these arrests, NDLEA commands nationwide continued the War Against Drug Abuse sensitization programs in schools, worship centers, workplaces, and communities, including institutions in Oyo, Lagos, Katsina, Niger, Sokoto, Enugu, and Ogun states.
Chairman/CEO of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), commended officers from MMIA, Lagos, Kogi, Edo, Cross River, Enugu, Kebbi, Niger, Borno, and FCT commands for their efforts. He urged all personnel to sustain the balanced approach in drug control.
Justifying the ongoing offensive, Marwa said, “The coming festive season is usually a period often exploited by criminal elements, hence the Agency has decided to launch a relentless offensive on drug trafficking cartels across the nation.
“The coming weeks present both an opportunity and a challenge. Drug cartels may attempt to increase their illegal activities, seeking to profit during the busy holiday period. We must not, and we will not, let down our guard.”
