The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has expressed concern over the growing involvement of South African nationals in international drug trafficking through Nigeria, following the arrest of three suspects and the seizure of substantial quantities of illicit substances.
The agency said the suspects were apprehended during separate operations, with heroin, cocaine and synthetic cannabis, commonly known as Loud, recovered.
The arrests have raised concerns about the activities of foreign nationals allegedly working with international drug cartels to move illegal substances across borders.
The Assistant Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, Francis Okogun, disclosed this on Thursday during a joint security briefing in Abuja.
He said the agency considered it necessary to clarify the circumstances surrounding the arrests to prevent the incidents from creating a negative perception of Nigeria internationally.
He said, “On the arrest of South African nationals in connection with drug trafficking, it is important to clarify that the issue has attracted attention because of the negative impression it could create about Nigeria internationally.
“Our findings indicate that some foreign nationals are increasingly becoming involved in facilitating the movement of illicit drugs through Nigeria to other parts of the world.
“Some are also involved in bringing such substances into the country. For the period under review, three individuals were arrested.
“What makes these arrests particularly significant is the large quantities of drugs recovered, including heroin, cocaine and synthetic cannabis popularly known as Loud. These individuals are suspected of working on behalf of international drug cartels.”
Okogun said investigations were ongoing to determine the intended destinations of the seized drugs and identify the international networks responsible for the shipments.
He noted that obtaining information from suspects about their sponsors and destinations remained a major challenge for investigators.
“As you know, drug traffickers rarely volunteer information about their sponsors or the final destinations of their consignments.
“These individuals are suspected of working on behalf of international drug cartels.
“As you know, drug traffickers rarely volunteer information about their sponsors or the final destinations of their consignments.
“We are therefore conducting painstaking investigations to establish the actual destinations of the drugs and identify the cartels responsible for the shipments,” he said.
The latest disclosure follows the arrest of South African nationals in separate drug trafficking operations at Nigerian international airports.
In October 2026, NDLEA operatives arrested a South African woman, Gebashe Sithandiwe Jessie, at the Port Harcourt International Airport over the alleged smuggling of 32.74 kilogrammes of synthetic cannabis, popularly called Thai Loud.
Similarly, on July 6, 2026, the agency apprehended 38-year-old South African national, Will Jessica Ann, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, after allegedly discovering 5.75 kilogrammes of heroin concealed in 14 blocks inside her luggage.
The suspect was arrested during the inward clearance of passengers arriving aboard a Qatar Airways flight from Doha to Abuja.
Meanwhile, the NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig Gen Buba Marwa, has declared a war against drug abuse and trafficking in Edo State, calling for increased collaboration among security agencies, religious institutions and community stakeholders.
Marwa made the declaration on Thursday at an interactive stakeholder engagement in Benin, where he urged religious organisations to intensify efforts in discouraging drug abuse.
The meeting, themed ‘Addressing the Drug Problem in Edo State,’ attracted representatives of the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Air Force, National Youth Service Corps, civil society organisations, non-governmental organisations and community leaders.
The NDLEA boss said tackling drug-related crimes required collective action, stressing that the agency could not succeed without the support of other stakeholders.
“I am here personally to declare war against drug abuse and trafficking in Edo State. Though the NDLEA is the lead agency in the country for the enforcement of drug laws, we cannot do it alone.
“We must, as parents, engage early and seek help for our children. There is no shame in it. This is very important for our children and for the future of our country.
“Each of us must play our part. When each contributes his part or her part, in the end, we know that this monster will be conquered.
“Of course, I will be meeting CAN executives and the Islamic council here in Benin. I am going to talk to them as an important segment in our society to use their platforms to preach against drug abuse and support communities,” he added.
Marwa also called on schools to establish drug-free and counselling clubs to educate students on the dangers of illicit substances.
He encouraged pupils and students to report any attempts to introduce them to drugs to their teachers and headmasters.
Earlier, the NDLEA Edo State Commander, Mitchell Ofoyeju, said the fight against drug abuse and trafficking required cooperation among security agencies and other relevant stakeholders.
Ofoyeju expressed appreciation to sister security agencies for their contributions, noting that the successes recorded through arrests and seizures in previous years were largely made possible by their support.
