The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intensified its crackdown on drug trafficking networks, recording multiple high-profile seizures across the country, including the interception of the dangerous stimulant Captagon in Kwara State.
According to a statement released on Sunday, NDLEA operatives recovered 10,000 pills of Captagon during a patrol along Bode Saadu Road in Kwara on April 21, 2026. The drugs were found on a passenger, Nasiru Mu’azu, alongside nine packets of Tapentadol 250mg.
Captagon, a potent amphetamine associated with heightened alertness and reduced fear, has been linked to criminal syndicates and insurgent groups due to its stimulant effects and role in funding illicit activities.
In a separate operation at the same location on April 24, officers uncovered a large cache of drugs hidden in a modified trailer. Items seized included 155,900 capsules of tramadol, 6,000 ampoules of tramadol injection, 3,000 tablets of co-codamol, and 9,000 tablets of bromazepam. A suspect, Aminu Isah, was arrested in connection with the find.
In Oyo State, NDLEA operatives intercepted a commercial vehicle along the Ibadan/Oyo expressway and detained a passenger, Eze Prince Emeka, who was later confirmed to have ingested illicit substances. He subsequently excreted 45 pellets of cocaine weighing 1.043 kilograms. Investigations indicated the drugs were bound for Europe via trans-Saharan trafficking routes.
Elsewhere, in Edo State, operatives intercepted a truck carrying 1,196,000 pills of pharmaceutical opioids along the Benin/Lagos expressway, leading to the arrest of two suspects.
Additional operations across Lagos, Bauchi, Ekiti, and Cross River states led to the seizure of large quantities of cannabis and the destruction of 20,000 kilograms of the substance cultivated on farmland. In Niger State, officers also recovered 394 components used in assembling improvised explosive devices (IEDs), with the suspect to be handed over to appropriate security authorities.
The agency said it has continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy campaigns nationwide, targeting schools, communities, and workplaces.
NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended officers for their efforts, noting that the operations have dealt a significant blow to drug trafficking syndicates. He warned that attempts to reintroduce Captagon into Nigeria would be firmly resisted.
“We are not only removing dangerous substances from circulation but also dismantling networks that threaten public safety. Our vigilance remains unwavering,” he said.
The NDLEA reiterated its commitment to sustaining nationwide enforcement and public awareness initiatives to curb drug abuse and trafficking.