Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
ABUJA, Nigeria — The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intensified its anti-narcotics operations nationwide, destroying drug warehouses and apprehending a wanted businessman linked to a high-profile cannabis shipment seized at the Lagos Tincan Port, authorities confirmed on Sunday. The operations, conducted across several states between December 21 and 25, 2025, led to large seizures of illegal drugs, arrests of multiple suspects and the torching of illicit cannabis stockpiles as the agency steps up enforcement ahead of the new year.
In Ekiti State’s Ara forest, NDLEA officers uncovered and destroyed a wooden warehouse stocked with potent cannabis (commonly known as “skunk”), recovering about 638 kilograms of the illegal drug before setting fire to the structure. Agents seized additional consignments during simultaneous raids in Edo, Cross River, Abuja, Lagos, Taraba and Gombe states, including multiple blocks of compressed cannabis sativa intercepted on the Igara–Auchi Road in Edo State.
A particularly significant breakthrough in Lagos saw the arrest of 47-year-old businessman Ignatius Egbochie, also known as “Brown,” who was sought in connection with the interception of 56 parcels of “Loud” cannabis weighing 26 kilograms at Tincan Port earlier in December. That consignment had been uncovered during a joint cargo examination by NDLEA, the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies, prompting follow-up operations that culminated in Egbochie’s arrest in Apapa on December 19.
The Lagos Command also reported separate seizures and detentions made during the festive crackdown. On Christmas Day, operatives arrested Ajoke Dauda with 45.5 kilograms of skunk along the Badagry–Lagos expressway, while Oluwasegun Felix was detained the previous day with another 18.5 kilograms in the Badagry area. Further north in Taraba State, Emmanuel Danladi and John Onoja were arrested with a combined 48 kilograms of cannabis.
In Gombe State, NDLEA operatives intercepted a 65-year-old commercial driver, Sada’u Mohammed, who was found transporting pharmaceutical narcotics, including 300 ampoules of pentazocine injection and nearly 28,000 tramadol pills allegedly destined for Biu in Borno State.
The series of coordinated operations underscores NDLEA’s commitment to tackling the illicit drug trade on multiple fronts — from port intercepts and rural hideouts to transit routes linking states. The agency’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, reiterated that the sweeps and seizures were part of a broader enforcement strategy targeting traffickers and key logistics points nationwide.
Cannabis remains illegal in Nigeria, and recent efforts by NDLEA reflect intensifying pressure on organised drug networks ahead of the festive season and into 2026. By destroying warehouses, seizing large quantities of narcotics and arresting influential suspects like Egbochie, authorities aim to disrupt distribution channels and deter trafficking syndicates operating at home and through international shipping hubs such as Lagos ports.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments