NDLEA intercepts Saudi-bound drug consignment hidden in palm oil keg
NDLEA Seizes Illicit Drugs Across Multiple States in Recent Operations
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has reported significant drug seizures and arrests in various operations across Nigeria in recent days.
On October 14, NDLEA operatives intercepted a consignment initially declared as maize starch at a port facility. However, tests at the agency’s forensic laboratory confirmed the substance as tramadol hydrochloride powder. The consignment, concealed in 349 bags, weighed a total of 8,725 kilograms, with an estimated street value exceeding 6.98 billion naira.
Additional drug discoveries included 55 kilograms of Canadian Loud, a potent cannabis strain, which was found on October 12 at the Tin Can Island Port in Lagos. The cannabis, valued at 165 million naira, was packaged in brown cartons and hidden inside a Toyota Sienna vehicle shipped in a 40-foot container.
On October 14, NDLEA agents conducted a raid at Idumota Market in Lagos, arresting Elizabeth Chidera Kalu and recovering 10,600 ampoules of diazepam and 6,500 tablets of Molly from her store. The following day, two men, Idowu Daudu and Ahmed Oniyinde, both 35 years old, were apprehended in Mushin with 59.95 and 61.23 kilograms of cannabis, respectively.
In a related operation, officers intercepted a truck along Iyana Oba on October 15, following intelligence regarding drug trafficking from Trade Fair Market. Two suspects were arrested: Tajudeen Adeduntan, the loading manager, and his assistant Azeez Sikiru. A search revealed 18,000 tablets of tramadol 250mg concealed in cartons labeled as insecticide.
In Edo State, NDLEA operatives conducted raids in Warake, Ivhiaro, and Ewe/Irue communities from October 15 to 16, arresting six individuals and seizing a variety of drugs including cannabis. Notably, 85-year-old Grace Ehimeka was apprehended with 179 kilograms of cannabis, while 53-year-old Ayo Aigberadion was found with 220.8 kilograms.
Additional raids in Ondo State on October 17 led to the destruction of a cannabis farm in the Okemoro Isinbode camp forest, where 7,500 kilograms of cannabis cultivated on three hectares were eradicated. Five suspects were arrested during the operation.
In the Bauchi State area, operatives intercepted a vehicle driven by 35-year-old Shamsu Garba on October 14, recovering nearly 895,000 pills of tramadol capsules and Exol-5 tablets. That same day, officers patrolling the Bauchi-Gombe Road found 291 blocks of cannabis weighing 265 kilograms in an abandoned vehicle.
Arrests occurred in Kano State as well, where two suspects, 38-year-old Ali Abdullahi and 23-year-old Ibrahim Adamu, were caught with 30,100 tablets of tramadol 225mg on October 13. Another suspect, 54-year-old Murtala Dayyabu, was apprehended on October 14 with 100,000 tablets of Exol-5.
In Kaduna State, a joint operation led to the arrests of three individuals with 496.5 kilograms of cannabis. Additionally, 39-year-old John Ayo David was apprehended with nearly 50,000 tablets of tramadol 225mg at a location on Ali Akilu Road.
In Abuja, Odo Jonas Ejike, 42, was arrested on October 17 in the Utako area with 29,500 tramadol capsules.
The NDLEA also continues its public awareness initiatives under its “War Against Drug Abuse” program, conducting educational activities in various schools and communities across the country.
Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), Chairman and CEO of NDLEA, expressed commendation for the coordinated efforts of operatives in Lagos, Edo, Bauchi, Ondo, Kano, and the Federal Capital Territory. He urged continued vigilance and commitment to dismantling drug trafficking networks while emphasizing a balanced approach to drug control.
