Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intensified their clampdown on drug trafficking networks with a series of successful operations across multiple states, leading to high-profile arrests, massive seizures, and the destruction of illicit drugs.
At the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos, NDLEA agents intercepted parcels of Loud—a potent strain of cannabis—concealed inside new microwaves imported from Thailand. The consignment, which arrived in two batches aboard an Ethiopian Airlines flight from Bangkok via Addis Ababa, was subjected to a detailed search on Monday, 7th July 2025, yielding 23 parcels weighing 11.3kg. One suspect, Ezenwegbu Chike, has been arrested in connection with the seizure.
In another sophisticated concealment, 400 grams of cocaine and phenacetine (a cocaine cutting agent) were found packed inside female lipsticks destined for Malabo, Equatorial Guinea. The illicit shipment, which included hair extensions and cosmetic items, was intercepted at the airport’s export shed. Ezeikwelume Prince Afam, a businessman operating out of Trade Fair Complex, Ojo, Lagos, was arrested on Friday, 11th July in connection with the smuggling attempt. This came barely a week after a similar seizure of 420 grams of cocaine hidden in 84 lipsticks intended for the UK.
Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives have arrested notorious drug kingpin Okechukwu Izugha a.k.a. Okey Omeogo after a 12-month manhunt. He was apprehended on Wednesday, 9th July at his wife’s shop in Ijesha Market, Lagos. Izugha had been on the run since 7th August 2024, following the arrest of a courier with 9kg of cocaine traced to him. His wife, Maureen Izugha, was previously arrested on 21st January 2025 with 500 grams of cocaine at her beverage shop and is currently serving a two-year sentence.
In Edo State, NDLEA operatives destroyed 28,054kg of skunk (a local cannabis variant) across three farms spanning 11 hectares in Ewere, Uzebba forest, Owan West LGA. During their withdrawal, they came under gunfire from cartel members but managed to repel the attack unhurt, though one operational vehicle was damaged.
Additional seizures in Lagos include 1,400 blocks of Ghana Loud (700kg) at Okun-Ajah Beach and 26kg of the same variant recovered from suspects Innocent Ejidiobo and Friday Paul along the Ajah-Epe expressway. Also seized from them were 123 grams of methamphetamine and 45 grams of molly.
In the Northeast, significant opioid seizures were made:
In Borno, Godwin Chimaobi Nwaobi was arrested with over 18,000 ampoules of pentazocine, along with tramadol and rohypnol.
Another suspect, Abdulrahman Bello Ahmadu, was caught with 10,000 tramadol pills on 9th July.
In Gombe, five suspects were arrested with a total of 116,226 pills of tramadol and D5.
In Taraba, three individuals were intercepted with 577,890 opioid pills and 1.16kg of skunk hidden in the tyre compartment of a petrol tanker.
Additional arrests and seizures were reported in:
Kogi State: Sabiu Bala with 316.6kg of skunk.
Kaduna State: Haladu Suleiman, 38, with 58.8kg of skunk.
Kano State: Shamsudini Abdullahi, Adamu Abdullahi, and Magaji Rabo with 48.1kg of skunk.
The NDLEA also continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization efforts with educational outreach in schools across Cross River, Kano, Enugu, Lagos, Anambra, and Abia states, engaging students, teachers, and traditional leaders.
Commending the officers involved in these operations, NDLEA Chairman/CEO, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), praised the agency’s balanced approach to drug supply reduction and demand reduction through enforcement and advocacy.