The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has carried out a sweeping nationwide crackdown on drug trafficking organisations, dismantling at least six syndicates and arresting nine major kingpins in a series of coordinated, intelligence-led operations.
The raids, conducted across several states, led to the seizure of tons of illicit drugs concealed in machine cylinders, auto parts, trailers, warehouses and even flight boarding passes.
One of the major breakthroughs occurred on 18 November in Onitsha, Anambra State, where operatives arrested two members of a trafficking syndicate—30-year-old Ebulue Lotanwa Uzochukwu and 51-year-old South Africa returnee, Christopher Michael Ndibuisi. The duo had gone to retrieve 5.40kg of methamphetamine, 10.70kg of Loud, 16g of cocaine, and other substances hidden in pressure machine cylinders imported from South Africa. The consignment, which arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) on 13 November, was intercepted following credible intelligence.
At the Lagos airport, officers also intercepted a brake servo automobile part stuffed with 48 pellets and a block of cocaine weighing 2.30kg and destined for Gabon. A freight agent, Ameh Solomon, and an auto parts dealer, Nwafor Tochukwu Boniface, were subsequently arrested.
In Kogi State, a trailer transporting 4,700kg of cannabis was stopped at Kabba, leading to the arrest of three suspects. A follow-up operation in Jos resulted in the arrest of the alleged kingpin, Marcus Danladi Dan Mangu.
A warehouse raid in Ugep, Cross River State, uncovered 4,706kg of cannabis stored in 362 jumbo bags. A couple, Onun and Itam Okoi Okpotum, were arrested.
NDLEA operatives in Edo State apprehended two women—19-year-old Praise Nwogu and 25-year-old Ebong Emem Oghosa—who were allegedly producing and selling drug-laced brownies online. Additional arrests and recoveries were made in Akoko Edo.
In Enugu, officers intercepted Chinoso Emmanuel Monday with 10.1kg of cannabis, 105,600 tramadol pills, 700 pentazocine ampoules and 3,000 rounds of live ammunition.
Massive seizures were also recorded in Kebbi, the FCT, Niger, Lagos, and Borno, including over 13,000 bottles of codeine syrup, 12,548 opioid pills hidden in paracetamol containers, 430.5kg of cannabis along Abuja highways, and over 71kg of Canadian Loud seized in a Lekki apartment.
A raid on the notorious Peti drug enclave on Lagos Island yielded 385kg of various strains of cannabis, while another 163,200 tramadol capsules were recovered in Maza Maza.
NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), commended the operatives across the country and urged them to maintain a balanced and aggressive approach, especially as the festive season approaches—a period he says is often exploited by drug cartels.
“The coming weeks present both an opportunity and a challenge. Drug cartels may attempt to increase their illegal activities during the busy holiday period. We must not, and we will not, let down our guard,” Marwa said.
The agency also continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaigns in schools, worship centres and communities nationwide throughout the week.