Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have successfully intercepted attempts by drug syndicates to smuggle significant quantities of cocaine, methamphetamine, and opioids through Nigeria’s Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, to destinations including the United Kingdom, Italy, Turkey, and Qatar.
At the Lagos airport export shed, NDLEA officers seized 13 parcels of cocaine weighing 4.40kg on 5 November 2024. The consignment, destined for the UK via Frankfurt on a Lufthansa Airlines flight, led to the arrest of businessman Ekeocha Nelson on 8 November.
A statement issued on Sunday by NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, revealed additional arrests, including businessman Adegbite Solomon, also known as “Obama.” Solomon was apprehended while attempting to export 7,800 tramadol pills, 180 Rohypnol tablets, and 60 bottles of codeine to Italy. The drugs were concealed in food and other items as he prepared to board an Ethiopian Airlines flight.
“Solomon admitted to having previously travelled to Europe via the Mediterranean Sea, earning a living as a street beggar before venturing into logistics,” Babafemi said.
Another suspect, Anoke Roomy, was arrested on 15 November at Lagos airport with 1,100 tramadol 225mg pills concealed in his luggage. Roomy was attempting to board a flight to Istanbul, Turkey.
In Abuja, NDLEA operatives raided a hotel room in Lugbe’s Federal Housing Authority estate on 15 November, arresting Omeh Uchenna Jude, 36, and Anene Valentine Chigozie, 34. They were caught with 1.8kg of methamphetamine, allegedly intended for transportation to Qatar.
Trans-Border Trafficking Foiled
In a separate operation, trans-border drug trafficker Emmanuel Okeke was intercepted on 16 November while attempting to smuggle 50,000 tramadol 225mg pills from Ghana to Lagos. The drugs were hidden in the body compartments of a Toyota Hummer Bus operated by GUO Transport Company. The vehicle was stopped in the Ijanikin area of the Lagos-Badagry Expressway.
Additional Seizures Across Nigeria
In Edo State, NDLEA operatives recovered 997kg of cannabis during various raids. This included 680kg seized alongside a Sienna bus in the Oghada forest, Orhionmwan Local Government Area, and 180.5kg from a suspect, Cecilia Ibe, 31, in the Ofosu forest, Ovia South-West LGA. Another 136.5kg was found in a building in Otuo community, Owan East LGA, on 14 November.
In Kwara State, a suspect, Adio Sulaiman, was arrested with 120.8kg of cannabis and some bottles of codeine at Gaa Odota in Ilorin West LGA.
Similarly, in Imo State, 42-year-old Kelechi Obichere was caught with 75kg of cannabis in Eziobodo, Owerri West LGA, on 14 November. Meanwhile, in Oyo State, 60-year-old Anthony Anakabi was arrested in Ibadan’s Iyalode area with 563.74kg of cannabis.
Babafemi reiterated the NDLEA’s commitment to combating drug trafficking across Nigeria, emphasising that these operations are a significant step towards dismantling criminal networks.