The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has seized consignments of cocaine and tramadol hidden in vehicle side mirrors, lipsticks, and footwear during a series of coordinated operations resulting in multiple arrests across Lagos, Abuja, and various states.
The agency’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, revealed in a statement on Sunday that NDLEA operatives at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, intercepted a shipment destined for Libreville, Gabon. The cargo contained 57,420 tramadol 225mg tablets and 57 pellets of cocaine weighing 1.60kg, cleverly hidden inside 71 vehicle side mirrors.
The seizure, made on July 19, led to the arrest of cargo agent Ihekweme Osinachi Benedict. Subsequent investigations led to the arrest of Uzochukwu Godspower Chukwurah, from whose residence operatives recovered an additional 11 parcels of cocaine weighing 1kg. This brought the total cocaine haul to 2.60kg across 68 parcels.
In a separate case, officers arrested a businesswoman, Mrs Nwafor Roseann Nneka, at the Trade Fair Complex, Ojo, Lagos. She was traced in connection to a 10 July consignment of cocaine and phenacetine concealed in women’s lipsticks, intended for Malabo, Equatorial Guinea.
Earlier, two cargo agents were apprehended. Mrs Nneka reportedly admitted to purchasing the lipsticks used for smuggling, while her husband and alleged accomplice, Remigus Nwafor, remains on the run.
Elsewhere in Abuja, NDLEA operatives arrested three dispatch riders—Sabo Sule (24), Samuel Nnamdi (28), and Idris Jibrin (28)—who were caught delivering 149.8 grams of “Canadian Loud,” a potent strain of cannabis, in Gwarimpa, Jahi, and Galadimawa. Officers also arrested two more suspects along the Abaji-Gwagwalada expressway with 91.1kg of skunk.
Further arrests were made across other states. In Lagos, Joseph Michael was found with 3.3kg of Colorado in Mushin, while Ibrahim Sulaiman was caught in Yaba with 16.5 litres of skuchies. In Benue, Hussein Yusuf (37) was arrested at a checkpoint with 100,000 tramadol capsules. In Edo, operatives seized 233.5kg of skunk from a warehouse in Ekpoma and arrested William Alabi (44).
At Maiduguri Airport, Borno, officers arrested Umar Aminu (38) with 160 tramadol tablets hidden in footwear. In Ogun, they found Yahaya Aminat Seyi in possession of 7,218 opioid pills in the Oja Odan area. In Oyo, 77.5kg of skunk was recovered from Oladeji Saka in Ibadan. In Delta, Benson Izah (40) was apprehended in Abraka with quantities of skunk, tramadol, and 14.4 litres of codeine.
In Bayelsa, Chief Emeka Opara (52) and Onuoha Chidinma (25) were arrested in Amassoma with 41,705 tramadol capsules. In Kano, Bashir Gambo (30) was caught with 61kg of skunk. In Osun, Kabiru Ayinde (40) and Roqeeb Adekanmbi (25) were detained at Ile-Ogbo in Iwo with 90kg of skunk, 36.3 grams of methamphetamine, a Toyota bus, and ₦228,200 in cash.
The agency also advanced its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign, conducting sensitisation drives in schools, religious institutions, motor parks, and royal courts, including a visit to the Oluwo of Iwo Land, Oba Abdurasheed Adewale Akanbi.
Commending officers at MMIA, MBIAM, FCT, and across various states, NDLEA Chairman/CEO Brig. Gen. Mohamed Marwa (Rtd) urged continued dedication to a balanced strategy in combating drug trafficking and abuse.