In a blow to narcotics networks, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled a clandestine laboratory in Lagos producing the synthetic drug “Colorado” and arrested a music artist attempting to take delivery of a massive consignment of cannabis concealed in bathtubs.
The operations, part of a coordinated nationwide crackdown between October 26th and November 1st, 2025, led to the seizure of tons of illicit drugs, including cannabis skunk, opioids, and methamphetamine, across eight states.
Lagos: The Epicenter of Sophisticated Drug Production
The breakthrough came on October 30th when NDLEA operatives, after months of intelligence gathering, raided a residential apartment in the Ajao Estate area of Isolo, Lagos. The apartment had been converted into a sophisticated lab for producing Colorado, a potent and dangerous synthetic strain of cannabis.
The 30-year-old lab owner, Stephen Kelechi Imoh, was arrested on the spot. Recovered items included 16.2 kilograms of freshly cooked Colorado, 1.7kg of a chemical known as ADB-CHMNACA Cannabinol, 4.5kg of Potassium Carbonate, and 91 litres of Dibromobutane—key precursors for manufacturing the psychoactive substance.
In a separate Lagos operation, the agency arrested 28-year-old music artist Godspower George Osahenrumwen, known professionally as “Steady Boy.” He was nabbed at his Lekki residence on October 30th while attempting to collect a shipment that had arrived via a DHL flight from New York, USA. The consignment contained 77.20kg of a cannabis strain called “Loud,” cleverly concealed inside three cartons of bathtubs. His manager, Zion Osazee Omigie (aka Zee Money), is currently at large.
Nationwide Seizures and Arrests
The agency’s offensive extended across the country, resulting in significant interdictions:
· Kaduna/Kwara/Bauchi: Operatives intercepted massive shipments of pharmaceuticals, including 84,710 capsules of tramadol and 32,946 bottles of the New Psychoactive Substance (NPS) “Akuskura.” In Kwara, a truck was found carrying 532,600 pills of tramadol and exol-5.
· Edo/Ogun: Two operations led to the seizure of over 3,234kg of skunk. In Ogun, a bus coming from Benin Republic was intercepted with 1,779kg of the substance.
· Ondo: A 32-year-old woman, Mrs. Ige Olarewaju, was linked to 2,829kg of skunk recovered from two locations.
· Taraba: Two suspects were arrested with 30,370 pills of tramadol and 177 grams of methamphetamine destined for Adamawa State.
Leadership Commends Operatives, Vows to Continue Fight
Commending the officers involved, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), praised their “resilience and professionalism.” He vowed that the agency would not relent in its mission to dismantle drug syndicates across Nigeria.
“We will continue to target and dismantle every identified drug syndicate in any part of Nigeria while denying them of the benefits of the proceeds of their criminal trade,” Marwa stated, adding that the agency would ensure traffickers forfeit all traceable assets to the Federal Government.
Simultaneously, various NDLEA commands continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization lectures in schools and communities, highlighting the agency’s dual approach of enforcement and prevention.