NDLEA intercepts N10b worth of cocaine, recovers 401 military grade ammunition
NDLEA Intercepts Cocaine and Ammunition Valued at Over N10 Billion
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) announced significant drug and ammunition seizures valued at over N10 billion in various operations throughout Nigeria. This information was shared in a statement on Sunday by Femi Babafemi, the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy.
In one operation, NDLEA officials apprehended Onuigbo Ndubisi Chinedu, a 55-year-old businessman from Lagos Island’s Balogun Market, for allegedly attempting to export 3.30 kilograms of cocaine. The drug was concealed within the walls of cartons containing food items destined for the United Kingdom. According to Babafemi, the cocaine was intercepted at the export shed of Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on July 22.
Initial investigations led to the arrest of three cargo agents—Nkwor Onyekachukwu Justina, Adeleke Abiola Taoheed, and Ukanwa Grace Pilgrim—who then provided information that implicated Kenneth Okakpu for allegedly arranging the shipment. Further inquiries revealed Chinedu as the alleged leader of the operation, culminating in his arrest on July 23 as he attempted to send another cocaine consignment.
In a separate incident, NDLEA operatives arrested 31-year-old Emmanuella Chukwu-Edo at her Surulere residence on July 21. She was found with 2.80 kilograms of “Loud,” a synthetic strain of cannabis, which arrived from the United States on a United Airlines flight one day prior.
Additionally, the agency reported the recovery of 2.24 million pills of Tapentadol, valued at over N2.2 billion, during a joint examination of cargo imported from India on July 24. In another operation on July 22, NDLEA agents intercepted a shipment of tramadol concealed in black soap containers destined for the UK.
At Apapa Seaport on July 20, operatives discovered a container disguised as a shipment of three vehicles. This container held 4,777 sachets of Canadian Loud, weighing 2,388.5 kilograms and valued at over N7.1 billion.
In Katsina State, a 30-year-old suspect, Mustapha Sani, was apprehended during a patrol in Baure. He was reportedly found with 323 rounds of military-grade ammunition. Another suspect, Abubakar Amadu, also aged 30, was arrested during a stop-and-search operation along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway, carrying 73 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition concealed in kegs of palm oil. Both suspects have been referred to the appropriate security agency for further investigation.
In Edo State, NDLEA operatives raided a warehouse in Ilushi, recovering 1,286 kilograms of cannabis and 86 kilograms of cannabis seeds. Two additional suspects, Ojore Onweze and George Agwumede, were arrested with 60 kilograms and 13 kilograms of skunk, respectively.
Babafemi noted that NDLEA commands continue their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign across schools, communities, and workplaces nationwide. Recent awareness programs were conducted at various educational institutions, including Government Day Secondary School in Niger State and Government Girls Secondary School in Kano State.
Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retired), the NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commended the efforts of the agency’s operatives and urged them to maintain a balanced approach to drug control efforts across the country.
