NDLEA Arrests India-Bound Businessman With Cocaine, Seizes N3.6bn Drugs in Lagos

NDLEA Arrests India-Bound Businessman With Cocaine, Seizes N3.6bn Drugs in Lagos

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 48-year-old businessman, Nwankwo Innocent Onyebuchi, with 1.55kg of cocaine concealed in his luggage while attempting to travel from Lagos to New Delhi, India, as operatives recorded major drug seizures across several states.

The suspect, who deals in marbles in Lagos, was arrested at the departure hall of Terminal II of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, while preparing to board a Qatar Airways flight to India.

According to the NDLEA, a search of his check-in luggage revealed 1.55kg of cocaine factory-fitted into the walls and railings of the bag.

During interrogation, Onyebuchi reportedly disclosed that he had sold his marble business and other assets to raise N23 million to purchase the cocaine, hoping to sell it in India for as much as N100 million.

The suspect is currently in NDLEA custody and is expected to face prosecution.

N2.6bn Codeine Stockpile Seized in Lagos

In another operation in Lagos, NDLEA operatives raided a warehouse located within a residential compound at 20 Hakeem Dosumu Street, Ago Palace, Okota, where they discovered a large consignment of codeine-based syrup.

The agency said 3,776 cartons containing 377,600 bottles of the controlled substance, valued at more than N2.6 billion, were recovered during the operation conducted between Friday, August 7 and Saturday, August 8, 2026.

Similarly, operatives raided the residence of a suspected drug kingpin, 55-year-old Shoremi Kayode, at 37 Ogundare Street, Ipaja Estate, Lagos, on August 14.

A total of 324kg of Colorado, a synthetic strain of cannabis, valued at N972 million, was recovered from the residence, alongside a Mercedes-Benz and a Toyota Corolla.

70-Year-Old Man Arrested With Opioids

In Kwara State, NDLEA operatives arrested Abubakar Adamu, 50, and Bilyaminu Nuhu, 30, at the Kam Wire area of Ilorin on August 13.

The suspects were found with 55.96kg of skunk concealed in a truck marked DKA 350 XL.

Meanwhile, a 70-year-old man, Abdulfatai Oyelaran, and Abdulrauf Ajadi, 50, were arrested along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The pair were travelling in a Toyota Sienna marked FFA-115KA when NDLEA operatives intercepted the vehicle and recovered 52,000 ampoules of pentazocine injection and 6,000 ampoules of tramadol injection.

Large Opioid Consignments Recovered in Delta, Plateau

In Delta State, NDLEA operatives intercepted Osaro Ikpoba, 43, and Samuel Godbless, 18, along the Onitsha-Asaba Expressway on August 13.

The agency said the suspects were found with 124,100 pills of tramadol, 786 bottles of codeine syrup, 2,598 tablets of Rohypnol, 4,800 tablets of diazepam, 470 ampoules of pentazocine injection and 200 ampoules of tramadol injection.

Another suspect, Emeka Tony, 50, was arrested along the Kwale-Ozoro Expressway on August 12 with 1,244 cartridges and N8 million in cash.

In Plateau State, NDLEA officers intercepted a Toyota Corolla marked MKD 341 EA along the Riyom-Jos Road and recovered 239,490 capsules of Tramaforce, a brand of tramadol. A suspect, Kasum Sherif, was arrested in connection with the seizure.

Over 728,000 Opioid Pills Seized in Kano

NDLEA operatives on patrol along the Zaria-Kano Road arrested six suspects on August 10.

They were identified as Okodili Ibeabuchi, 60; Onyeka Vincent, 47; Nwanko Wisdom, 36; Success Chigozie, 30; Emmanuel Jude, 27; and Chinedu Peter, 39.

Recovered from the suspects were 728,958 pills of tramadol, Rohypnol and other opioids, alongside 360g of cocaine, 99.8g of methamphetamine, 50 bottles of codeine syrup and 2.7kg of Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis.

In a separate operation in Kano, NDLEA operatives raided the Zawaciki Gida Dubu area of Kumbotso Local Government Area on August 14 and recovered 171 blocks of skunk weighing 106.8kg.

Two suspects, Mustapha Iliya, 30, and Abdulwahab Abdulrashid, 24, were arrested in connection with the seizure.

Cannabis Farms Destroyed in Edo

In Edo State, NDLEA operatives destroyed 4,628.9775kg of skunk cultivated on two cannabis farms measuring 1.851591 hectares at the Ugboku/Igbanke forest in Orhionmwon Local Government Area.

A 40-year-old suspect, Agholor Elebojie, was arrested at one of the farms during the raid on August 12.

Another suspect, Kingsley Anigala, 28, was arrested during a raid on drug joints in the Oluku area of Benin City on August 14. Operatives recovered 25.857kg of Loud and 93g of methamphetamine from him.

NDLEA Sustains Drug Abuse Campaign

Beyond the arrests and seizures, the NDLEA said its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy activities also continued across the country.

Among the activities was a sensitisation lecture delivered to students and staff of Madarasatu Sheikh Muhammad Rabi'u Arabic School in Kano and Olomu Junior Secondary School in Ajah, Lagos State.

Commenting on the operations, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd.), commended officers and personnel of the MMIA, Lagos, Kano, Kwara, Edo, Plateau and Oyo Commands for their efforts.

Marwa also praised personnel across the agency's commands for maintaining a balance between drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction initiatives.

The NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, disclosed the arrests and seizures in a statement issued on Sunday, August 16, 2026.