Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted a major cocaine consignment hidden in the heads of imported dry stock fish, as part of a series of coordinated operations across the country.
The breakthrough followed intelligence on a drug trafficking syndicate involved in international smuggling, particularly to India. Acting on this, operatives of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Strategic Command carried out a targeted operation in the Ojo area of Lagos on March 19, 2026.
During the raid, a 36-year-old suspect, Akputa Dickson Ejike, was arrested with three large bags. A search revealed 237 wraps of cocaine concealed inside dried fish heads, locally known as “Okporoko,” with a total weight of 5.80kg. The drugs were reportedly bound for Delhi, India.
In a separate operation, NDLEA officers from the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation (DOGI) intercepted two consignments destined for the United Kingdom at a courier facility in Lagos. The shipments included 1.9kg of methamphetamine hidden in automobile filters, as well as ampoules of morphine sulphate and fentanyl.
Further enforcement actions led to the arrest of a suspected drug kingpin, Omolade Abigail Jolayemi, also known as “Iya Ghana,” in Yaba, Lagos. She was apprehended alongside an associate, with 135 blocks of cannabis weighing 76.30kg recovered. Another suspect, Anayo Lucky Ohabiro, was arrested in Surulere with 78 blocks of cannabis weighing 41kg.
In Ekiti State, NDLEA operatives arrested an 80-year-old man, Oke Samuel, during a raid in Efon-Alaaye, recovering cannabis and a small quantity of methamphetamine. In Ondo State, officers seized a large cache of illicit substances from an uncompleted building in Akure North.
Additional operations across Benue, Edo, and Taraba states led to multiple arrests and the seizure of significant quantities of cannabis, codeine-based syrup, and other illegal substances. Notably, a truck transporting compressed cannabis concealed in animal feed was intercepted in Taraba, with two suspects taken into custody.
The agency also sustained its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy campaigns nationwide, engaging schools and communities in sensitisation programmes.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Mohamed Buba Marwa, commended officers across various commands for their efforts, urging continued balance between drug supply reduction and public awareness initiatives.