NDLEA arrests South African woman, US-based grandma with large cocaine, loud shipments
Lagos Agents Make Multiple Drug-Related Arrests in Recent Operations
LAGOS, Nigeria — The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) reported several arrests related to drug trafficking across multiple states, highlighting ongoing efforts to combat substance abuse in the country.
On October 21, NDLEA operatives at Lagos International Airport apprehended 62-year-old Anetor Gloria Ubong, a realtor based in Richmond, Texas, upon her arrival on a United Airlines flight from Houston. Authorities discovered 18 parcels of “loud,” a form of cannabis, concealed within gift wrap in her checked luggage. Ubong, who holds dual Nigerian and American citizenship, allegedly stated that the box was sent to her by her daughter and her daughter’s fiancé for delivery to Nigeria.
In a separate incident on October 23, NDLEA’s Special Operations Unit arrested 41-year-old Eletu Rasheedat in the Eti-Osa area of Lagos. Agents recovered a substantial quantity of controlled substances from her possession, including 5,820 pills of diazepam, 780 tablets of tramadol, 3.7 kilograms of skunk, and 230.25 liters of skuchies.
Delta State also saw significant drug-related arrests. Authorities apprehended 51-year-old Peter Ugochukwu in Warri, where they seized 29,350 capsules of tramadol, 6,620 tablets of tramadol (200 mg), and large quantities of codeine syrup, Rohypnol, and pentazocine. The Nigeria Police Force transferred Ugochukwu to NDLEA custody alongside a vehicle used in his alleged trafficking activities.
On October 19, NDLEA agents arrested 46-year-old Helen Bakporo Samson, a physically challenged woman, near Enhere Junction in Warri, with 6 kilograms of skunk. A few days later in Oyo State, 41-year-old Fajana Dada Oluwaseyi was captured on October 19 in Ibadan after evading arrest for a prior incident involving the seizure of nearly 200 kilograms of cannabis.
Operations in Kano State and Taraba State on October 22 and 23 led to the arrests of two suspects, Murtala Lawan and Raiyanu Misa, with substantial cannabis seizures. In Niger State, 26-year-old Emmanuel Ekene was apprehended on October 19 with 64,000 opioid pills.
In Bauchi State, operatives arrested 45-year-old Jamilu Mustapha on October 21, recovering 379 kilograms of cannabis from his possession. In Ondo State, a raid on October 20 yielded 56 bags of abandoned cannabis weighing 583 kilograms. Meanwhile, two cannabis farms in Edo State were destroyed on October 18, with an estimated yield of over 2 tons of cannabis being reported.
The NDLEA maintained its commitment to drug awareness and prevention through its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaigns, conducting outreach activities in educational and community settings nationwide.
Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commended the dedication and professionalism of officers involved in these operations and urged continued vigilance in the fight against drug trafficking and substance abuse.
