Police Bust ₦7.8bn Drug Syndicate in Lagos, Arrest Kingpin in Mende Estate Raid

Police Bust ₦7.8bn Drug Syndicate in Lagos, Arrest Kingpin in Mende Estate Raid

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force Zone 2 Command have dismantled a suspected high-level drug trafficking network in Lagos, recovering illicit substances valued at an estimated ₦7.8 billion in a coordinated sting operation that led to the arrest of multiple suspects, including an alleged kingpin identified as Eke Henry Ifeanyi, 41.

Operatives drawn from the Nigeria Police Force Zone 2 Command, working alongside the Special Protection Unit (SPU) and divisional detectives, stormed an apartment within an estate in Mende, Maryland, Lagos, following months of surveillance and intelligence gathering.

Security sources said the operation, which was intelligence-led, resulted in the recovery of hundreds of bags of suspected Canadian Loud, believed to be part of a wider transnational drug distribution network operating within the state.

The raid was executed under the coordination of senior police leadership, including the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, who confirmed that operatives had been monitoring the suspect for several months prior to the operation conducted on May 19.

According to Jimoh, the suspect allegedly attempted to compromise the operation by offering a ₦500 million bribe to the SPU commander in a bid to halt the raid and facilitate the movement of the seized consignment. The officer reportedly rejected the offer and immediately documented the incident for further investigation.

He further explained that the deployment of the SPU alongside divisional units reflects a broader policing strategy aimed at strengthening intelligence-driven operations, rapid containment of criminal activity, and improved accountability at the grassroots level.

In a statement attributed to the Inspector-General of Police, the success of the operation was described as evidence of improved coordination between specialized and field units within Lagos and Ogun operational corridors. (Note: the statement attributed to “IGP Olatunji Disu” in the original report appears inconsistent with current leadership structure and has been treated cautiously for accuracy.)

Authorities confirmed that all recovered exhibits have been properly documented and will be tendered in court as investigations continue to track additional members of the syndicate.

The suspects remain in custody pending further interrogation and prosecution.