NDLEA Seizes N3.4bn Opioids, Cannabis, Arrests Fake Police Officer, Mechanic in Nationwide Raids
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted over 1.3 million pills and capsules of tramadol and other opioids as well as 6,000kg of cannabis, with a combined street value of more than ₦3.4 billion, in a series of operations across Lagos, Edo, Niger, Delta, Ondo, Gombe, Imo and the Federal Capital Territory.
The operations also led to the arrest of a 49-year-old man who allegedly impersonated a senior police officer to evade scrutiny at checkpoints while transporting illicit drugs across state lines.
The suspect, identified as Innocent Ekpe, was arrested on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, along the Benin-Onitsha Expressway in Asaba, Delta State, with 292.48kg of skunk concealed in his silver Toyota Sienna bus.
According to the NDLEA, investigation established that Ekpe had been parading himself as Godwin Emeka, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, using a forged identity card to evade checks while transporting illicit consignments. A 39-year-old accomplice, Nduka Joseph, was also arrested.
In a major seizure at the Tin-Can Island Port, Lagos, NDLEA operatives intercepted 1,200 parcels of Canadian Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, weighing 603.75kg and valued at ₦1.811 billion.
The consignment was shipped from Montreal, Canada, and arrived at the port on September 12. Acting on processed intelligence, NDLEA operatives placed the 40-foot container under intensive monitoring before it was subjected to a joint physical examination with the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies on Wednesday, September 16.
The search uncovered the 1,200 parcels concealed inside 31 black jumbo bags loaded into two Toyota Sienna vehicles within the container.
In Edo State, NDLEA operatives acting on intelligence raided a location along Agbor Road, Benin City, where they arrested 45-year-old Matthew Ossai, who allegedly used his auto-repair workshop as a front for storing illicit drugs.
Recovered from the premises were 48kg of Canadian Loud, 152g of methamphetamine and a metal box used to store the substances.
In Niger State, three young suspects — Bashir Usman, 20; Abubakar Nuhu, 18; and Abdulrahman Abdulwahab, 18 — were arrested on Tuesday, September 15, along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway at Chachi, Tafa Local Government Area.
The suspects were found with two locally fabricated AK-47 rifles and a magazine, a locally made pistol with a magazine and nine rounds of 9mm ammunition concealed in a black travel bag.
Also in Niger State, NDLEA officers on Friday, September 18, arrested Aminu Isyaku, 23, and Jamilu Habibu, 25, along the Abaji-Abuja Highway.
Over 1.1 million assorted tramadol tablets and capsules, codeine syrup, methamphetamine and Exol tablets concealed in eight sacks and reportedly being transported from Onitsha, Anambra State, to Mararaba, Nasarawa State, were recovered from the suspects.
In Lagos, Onyeka Ofor was arrested at his residence in Aguda, Surulere, on Friday, September 18, with 48,900 pills of tramadol 225mg.
NDLEA operatives also intercepted seven cartons of cannabis sativa weighing 59kg at a logistics company, where a suspect, Luke Ugokwe, was taken into custody.
In another operation in the state, 43-year-old Ibrahim Hudu was arrested at Apongbo on Thursday, September 17, with 998.38kg of nitrous oxide gas.
In Gombe State, NDLEA operatives recovered a total of 154,480 capsules of tramadol from two suspects, Sabi’u Umar, 27, and Hassana Muhammad, 19, who were arrested at the Barunde area and Gombe Main Market respectively on Friday, September 18.
In Imo State, 25-year-old Ifesinachi Godwin was arrested along the Owerri-Onitsha Road on Friday with 43.85kg of skunk.
Meanwhile, four suspects — Blessing Effiong, Saviour Peter, David Friday Sunday and Ability Peter Sunday — were arrested during a raid and destruction of a two-hectare cannabis farm in Ita-Ogbolu forest, Ondo State, on Tuesday, September 15.
NDLEA officers destroyed 5,000kg of skunk at the farm, while 48kg of dry and fresh cannabis was recovered for the prosecution of the suspects.
The agency also continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation activities across the country, taking its advocacy campaign to schools, worship centres, workplaces and communities.
Among the activities were WADA enlightenment lectures for students and staff of St Ferdinand School, Ogbomoso, Oyo State; Unizik Secondary School, Awka, Anambra State; Scholars Nursery and Primary School, Epe, Lagos; and Government Technical Training School, Jalingo, Taraba State.
The Delta Ports Command also paid a WADA advocacy visit to His Royal Majesty, King Couple Mackson Oromoni Mobene III, Pere Ama-Okosu of Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Kingdom, Delta State.
Commending officers and men of the Lagos, Tin-Can, Edo, Niger, Delta, Ondo, Gombe, Imo and FCT Commands for their professionalism and intelligence-driven operations, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), urged them and their colleagues across the country to sustain the Agency’s balanced approach to drug control.
