In a major breakthrough in Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking, operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted a large consignment of cocaine and high-dose tramadol concealed in 71 vehicle side mirrors at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos. The illicit cargo, destined for Libreville, Gabon, was uncovered at the airport’s export shed, leading to the arrest of three suspects in subsequent follow-up operations.
The intercepted shipment, discovered on Saturday, July 19, 2025, aboard an Air Côte d’Ivoire flight, comprised 57,420 tablets of tramadol (225mg) and 57 pellets of cocaine weighing 1.60 kilograms. The principal suspect, a well-known cargo agent identified as Ihekweme Osinachi Benedict, was apprehended at the scene. Further investigations led to the arrest of another individual, Uzochukwu Godspower Chukwurah, on Sunday, July 20.
A search of Chukwurah’s residence on Monday, July 21, uncovered an additional 11 parcels of cocaine concealed in four more vehicle side mirrors, increasing the total seizure to 68 parcels weighing 2.60 kilograms.
Businesswoman Arrested Over Cocaine Hidden in Lipsticks
In a related development, NDLEA operatives on Friday, August 1, arrested Mrs. Nwafor Roseann Nneka, a businesswoman operating within the Trade Fair Complex in Ojo, Lagos. Her arrest followed the earlier interception, on July 10, of a shipment containing 100 grams of cocaine and 300 grams of phenacetine — a common adulterant — concealed in lipsticks destined for Malabo, Equatorial Guinea.
Two cargo agents linked to the illicit consignment were initially arrested. Investigations eventually led to Mrs. Nwafor, who admitted purchasing the lipsticks while her husband, Remigus Nwafor — currently at large — handled the concealment. The couple reportedly operated the drug trafficking scheme as a family enterprise.
Arrests in FCT and Nationwide Operations
In Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, NDLEA operatives arrested three dispatch riders — Sabo Sule (24), Samuel Nnamdi (28), and Idris Jibrin (28) — during intelligence-led stop-and-search operations in Gwarimpa, Jahi, and Galadimawa. They were found distributing 149.8 grams of “Canadian Loud”, a potent cannabis strain.
On Saturday, August 2, two other suspects — Aliyu Abubakar (25) and Adekunle Agbabiaka (30) — were intercepted along the Abaji-Gwagwalada expressway with 91.1kg of skunk, a high-grade form of cannabis.
Additional operations across several states yielded the following arrests and seizures:
Lagos State:
Joseph Michael was arrested in Mushin with 3.3kg of Colorado, a synthetic cannabinoid.
Ibrahim Sulaiman was apprehended in Iwaya, Yaba with 16.5 litres of "skuchies", a locally brewed psychoactive mixture.
Benue State:
Hussein Yusuf (37) was arrested at an NDLEA checkpoint on the Vandeikya-Ogoja road with 100,000 tramadol capsules.
Edo State:
A raid on a warehouse in Ekpoma resulted in the arrest of William Alabi (44) and seizure of 233.5kg of skunk.
Borno State:
At Muhammadu Buhari International Airport, Maiduguri, Umar Aminu (38) was arrested with 160 tramadol tablets concealed in footwear.
Ogun State:
Yahaya Aminat Seyi was arrested in the Oja Odan area with 7,218 pills of various opioids, predominantly tramadol.
Oyo State:
Oladeji Saka (54) was apprehended in Asanike, Ibadan with 77.5kg of skunk.
Delta State:
Benson Izah (40) was arrested in Abraka with 12.5kg of skunk, 1kg of tramadol, and 14.4 litres of codeine syrup.
Bayelsa State:
Chief Emeka Opara (52) and Onuoha Chidinma (25) were arrested on Tantua Road, Amassoma with 41,705 tramadol capsules and other opioids recovered from their residence and shop.
Kano State:
Bashir Gambo (30) was arrested in Yar Yasa town, Tudun Wada LGA, with 61kg of skunk.
Osun State:
On Monday, July 28, Kabiru Ayinde (40) and Roqeeb Adekanmbi (25) were arrested in Ile-Ogbo, Iwo, with 90kg of skunk, 36.3 grams of methamphetamine, a Toyota bus, and ₦228,200 in cash recovered.
WADA Sensitization Activities Continue Nationwide
Meanwhile, NDLEA commands across the federation intensified activities under the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative. Sensitization programs were conducted at:
Ciroma Ibrahim Islamiyya School, Potiskum, Yobe State
Sultan Maccido Institute for Quran and General Studies, Wamakko, Sokoto
Borno Express Transport Services, Maiduguri, Borno State
Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Abakpa Nike, Enugu State
In Osun State, the NDLEA Command paid an advocacy visit to the Oluwo of Iwo, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Abdurasheed Adewale Akanbi.
NDLEA Chairman Commends Nationwide Efforts
Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended officers and personnel across the MMIA, MBIAM, FCT, and state commands for their professionalism, diligence, and unwavering commitment to Nigeria’s drug control strategy.
> “These successful operations reflect the Agency’s continued resolve in tackling the drug threat with a balanced approach — combining aggressive enforcement with nationwide prevention and sensitization campaigns,” said Marwa.
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