NDLEA Intercepts Cocaine, Opioids Bound for US, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Poland; Arrests Two Suspects

NDLEA Intercepts Cocaine, Opioids Bound for US, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Poland; Arrests Two Suspects 

Lagos, Nigeria – The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted multiple illicit drug consignments, including cocaine, tramadol, and cannabis, concealed in prayer beads, board game packs, and female clothing, bound for the United States, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Poland, and the United Arab Emirates.  

The agency also arrested two key suspects at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, while conducting nationwide raids that led to major drug seizures in Kano, Kwara, Kaduna, Taraba, Abia, Osun, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.  

Airport Interceptions & Arrests  

Among those apprehended was Jakpor Egware May, a 43-year-old businesswoman, who was caught at Gate C departure hall of MMIA on Saturday, March 8, 2025, attempting to board an Air France flight to Italy. A search of her luggage uncovered 190 parcels of tramadol 225mg and a parcel of skunk (a strain of cannabis). She admitted to purchasing the drugs for resale in Italy.  

Another arrest was made at the export shed of MMIA on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, when NDLEA operatives nabbed Yahaya Fatai Ayinla, 60, while attempting to ship 400 grams of skunk concealed in clothing to New York, USA.  

Meanwhile, NDLEA officers from the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation (DOGI) successfully foiled attempts by traffickers to export:  

- Over two kilograms of Loud, Molly, and Tramadol (365mg, 225mg) hidden in Vitamin C bottles and female clothing to the United States.  

- 230 grams of cocaine concealed in prayer beads, shoe soles, and board game packs, destined for Saudi Arabia, Poland, and the UAE between Monday, March 10, and Wednesday, March 12, 2025.  

Major Drug Seizures Across Nigeria 

Kano State  

- NDLEA operatives arrested Hassan Haruna, 40, on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at Chalawa area with 727 blocks of compressed skunk weighing 479kg.  

Kogi State 

- 58,300 tramadol pills were seized from a commercial bus along the Kabba-Obajana highway en route Abuja on Tuesday, March 11, 2025.  

Kaduna State  

- 4,900 tramadol pills (225mg)** were recovered from **Idris Hamza, 21**, during a raid in Kachia on **Thursday, March 13, 2025**.  

- **2,900 tramadol pills (225mg)** were seized from **Aminu Magaji, 25**, in **Hayin Banki, Kaduna North LGA**, on **Friday, March 14, 2025**.  

Kwara State 

- **40,200 tramadol pills (225mg)** were intercepted along **Ilorin-Jebba expressway, Bode Saadu**, on **Friday, March 14, 2025**.  

- **21,700 tramadol capsules** were seized from **Salisu Usman** on **Thursday, March 13, 2025**, along **Eiyenkorin expressway, Ilorin**.  

Taraba State

- Polycarp Adeku, 35**, was arrested at **Bente Road, Kurmi LGA**, on **Friday, March 14, 2025**, with **15.77kg of skunk**.  

Osun State  

- NDLEA operatives intercepted a **commercial bus (SGB 564 YS)** transporting **48.7kg of Ghanaian Loud, Colorado, and Canadian Loud** in front of **King University, Ode-Omu**, on **Thursday, March 13, 2025**.  

- Nine suspects were arrested in **Osogbo and Ile-Ife** during follow-up operations.  

FCT, Abuja  

- **Ade Esan (aka Pastor), 58**, was arrested along **Gwagwalada expressway** on **Tuesday, March 11, 2025**, with **27,800 tramadol pills (225mg)**.  

- **Usman Mohammed, 26**, was caught the same day in **Wuse Zone 3** with **quantities of skunk and cocaine**.  

Abia State  

- NDLEA operatives raided **Ntigha community, Isiala-Ngwa North LGA**, on **Saturday, March 15, 2025**, arresting **Chinaza Nwogu (aka Young Money), 34**, with:  

  - **274 grams of heroin**  

  - **141 grams of methamphetamine**  

  - **2.931kg of cannabis sativa**  

  - **4 grams of cocaine**  

  - **₦753,015.00 in cash**  

War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) Campaign  

As part of its drug demand reduction efforts, NDLEA continued its **War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization programs** in schools, religious centers, workplaces, and communities. Schools that benefited in the past week included:  

- **U.P.E School, Ilara Epe, Lagos**  

- **Government Day Secondary School, Jigalambu, Michika, Adamawa State**  

- **Agbegi High Grammar School, Dekina, Kogi State**  

- **Capital City Secondary School, Awka, Anambra State**  

- **Eso-Obe Comprehensive High School, Ikoro Ekiti, Ekiti State**  

NDLEA Commends Operatives’ Success 

Chairman/Chief Executive of **NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd)**, commended the efforts of officers across the **MMIA, DOGI, Kano, Kwara, Kaduna, Taraba, Abia, Osun, and FCT commands** for their relentless pursuit of drug traffickers.  

He emphasized that their **balanced approach to drug supply reduction and demand reduction** is instrumental in the fight against drug abuse in Nigeria.  

Conclusion  

With these latest interceptions and arrests, NDLEA continues to reinforce its zero-tolerance stance against drug trafficking, ensuring that criminal networks involved in illicit drug trade are dismantled and prosecuted.  

-Femi Babafemi  

Director, Media & Advocacy  

NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja