NDLEA Foils Syndicates’ Attempt to Export Illicit Drugs to US, Saudi Arabia, Others, Arrests Suspects
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have prevented attempt by drug syndicates to export illicit consignments concealed in prayer beads, packs of board games and female clothes to the United States, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Poland and United Arab Emirates respectively.
The smuggling attempt was thwarted at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos, where the illicit substances were to be shipped out through logistics firms.
The Director, Media & Advocacy of NDLEA, Mr. Femi Babafemi disclosed this in a statement made available to Thelensng on Sunday.
“At least, two suspects behind some of the aborted missions at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja, Lagos have already been arrested. One of them is a 43-year-old businesswoman, Jakpor Egware May who was nabbed at the Gate ‘C’ departure hall of the Lagos airport while attempting to board an Air France flight to Italy on Saturday 8th March 2025.
“When she was searched, 190 parcels of tramadol 225mg and another parcel of skunk, a strain of cannabis, were recovered from her luggage. In her statement, she claimed that she bought the drugs herself, with the intention to resell them in Italy.
“At some logistics companies in Lagos, efforts by drug traffickers to export over two kilograms of Loud, Molly, Tramadol 365mg, 225mg hidden in Vitamin C bottles and female cloths to the US were frustrated by NDLEA operatives of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation, DOGI. Other shipments of 230grams of cocaine concealed in prayer beads, soles of locally made shoes and packs of board games heading to Saudi Arabia, Poland and UAE were equally intercepted between Monday 10th and Wednesday 12th March,” the statement noted.
Babefemi revealed that NDLEA officers on Tuesday, March 11, arrested suspect, Yahaya Fatai Ayinla, 60, at the export shed of the Lagos airport while attempting to ship a cargo containing clothes used to conceal 400grams of skunk going to New York, USA.
Elsewhere (Kano), a total of 727 blocks of compressed skunk weighing 479kg were recovered from a suspect Hassan Haruna, 40, who was nabbed by NDLEA operatives at Chalawa area of the State on Wednesday, March 12.
Similarly, no fewer than 58,300 pills of tramadol were intercepted along Kabba-Obajana highway, Kogi State, in a commercial bus coming from Lagos enroute Abuja on Tuesday, March 11.
The agency raided Kachia area of Kaduna State on Thursday, March 13, leading to the arrest of Idris Hamza, 21, with 4,900 pills of tramadol 225mg seized from him. It also busted Hayin Banki area of Kaduna North LGA the next day, resulting in the apprehension of Aminu Magaji, 25, from whom 2,900 tablets of tramadol 225mg were recovered.
In another operation, a total of 40,200 tablets of tramadol 225mg were recovered from the duo of Olowoko Faruk and Akeem Ridwan along Ilorin-Jebba expressway, Bode Saadu, Kwara State on Friday, March 14. The anti-narcotics agency equally seized 21,700 capsules of same opioid from a suspect, Salisu Usman along Eiyenkorin expressway, Ilorin on Thursday, March 13.
The spokesperson mentioned that NDLEA officers on Friday, March 14, nabbed Polycarp Adeku, 35, with 15.77kg skunk at Bente road, Kurmi LGA of Taraba State. He also noted that the operatives in Osun State intercepted a commercial bus marked SGB 564 YS coming from Idumota, Lagos Island in front of King University, Ode-omu, with a total of 48.7kg Ghanaian Loud, Colorado and Canadian Loud, all strains of cannabis on Thursday, March 13.
“Not less than nine suspects have been arrested in connection with the seizure in Osogbo and Ile-Ife during follow up operations,” Babafemi added.
The statement further read: “A 58-year-old suspect Ade Esan (aka Pastor) was on Tuesday 11th March arrested along Gwagwalada expressway, FCT Abuja with 27,800 pills of tramadol 225mg, while another suspect Usman Mohammed, 26, was nabbed same day with various quantities of skunk and cocaine at Wuse zone 3 area of Abuja.
“In Abia State, NDLEA operatives on Saturday 15th March raided the Ntigha community, Isiala-Ngwa North LGA, where a 34-year-old suspect Chinaza Nwogu (aka Young Money) was arrested with 274grams of heroin, 141grams of methamphetamine, 2.931kg of cannabis sativa, 4grams of cocaine and Seven Hundred and Fifty Three Thousand, Fifteen Naira (N753,015.00) monetary exhibit.”
However, the Commands and formations of the Agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation activities in schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others in the past week.
The activities include WADA enlightenment lecture to students and staff of 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; and Eso-Obe Comprehensive High School, Ikoro Ekiti, Ekiti State, among others.
Reacting to the arrests and seizures, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa commended the officers and men of MMIA, DOGI, Kano, Kwara, Kaduna, Taraba, Abia, Osun, and FCT Commands of the Agency.
Marwa expressed delight, stating that their operational successes and those of their compatriots across the country, especially their balanced approach to drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts are well appreciated.
