NDLEA Arrests Drug Kingpin in Delta, Seizes ₦7.8bn Opioids in Rivers, Destroys 48,750kg Skunk Nationwide
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a notorious drug kingpin, Sunday Ibigide, three years after he was declared wanted for trafficking offences.
Ibigide, 36, was apprehended alongside his aide, Clement Osuya, 27, on Sunday, August 10, 2025, in Asaba, Delta State while attempting to transport 250 blocks of skunk weighing 138kg in a distribution bus. He had been on the agency’s watchlist since March 2022, when he was linked to the seizure of 24kg of skunk and 10 grams of molly.
In Rivers State, NDLEA operatives, in collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies, intercepted 875,000 bottles of codeine syrup valued at ₦6.1 billion and 3.5 million pills of Trodol Benzhexol worth ₦1.7 billion during a joint operation at the Onne Ports Complex, Port Harcourt, between August 13 and 14.
Across the country, the agency also carried out major raids and seizures:
Enugu State: 37,500kg of skunk was destroyed on 15 hectares of cannabis farms in Enugu Ezike, with six suspects arrested. Another 20,700 pills of tramadol and cocodamol were recovered along Nsukka Road, while two suspects were caught with 27.6kg skunk at Enugu New Market.
Taraba State: 11,250kg of skunk was destroyed on 4.5 hectares in Tanmiya forest, Sardauna LGA, while 29,840 capsules of tramadol were seized in Wukari.
Kogi State: 337,800 capsules of tramadol were intercepted along the Okene–Lokoja highway from a commercial bus driver heading to Niger State.
Gombe State: 128,000 capsules of tramadol were seized from a suspect at Jauro Jatau.
Kaduna State: Four suspects were arrested over 22,640 pills of tramadol and rohypnol, and 111kg of skunk.
Edo State: 432kg of skunk was recovered in Etsako West and 130kg in Owan West.
Kano State: Two suspects were arrested with 92kg of skunk along Zaria–Kano road.
Lagos State: A woman, Muyibat Mumuni, 52, and her son, Faruk, 25, were arrested in Mushin with 149kg of Ghana Loud, while another suspect was nabbed in Ajah with 8.5kg Canadian Loud.
Seme Border (Lagos): 4,320 ampoules of ketamine were seized at Gbaji checkpoint.
The NDLEA also reported arrests and seizures in other states, with multiple suspects currently under investigation.
Meanwhile, the agency intensified its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaign, visiting schools, religious centres, workplaces, and traditional institutions. Advocacy visits last week included engagements with former Head of State General Abdulsalami Abubakar in Minna, the Emir of Borgu in Niger State, the Emir of Lafia in Nasarawa, and the Shehu of Borno in Maiduguri.
NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended officers in Delta, Rivers, Gombe, Kogi, Lagos, Edo, Kano, Taraba, and Seme Commands for their efforts, urging them to sustain the agency’s balanced approach to drug control.
The NDLEA said all suspects would face prosecution as investigations continue.
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