The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has successfully stopped attempts by drug traffickers to send illegal drugs, including cocaine and opioids, to the United States, Saudi Arabia, Poland, and Italy. In a series of operations, NDLEA intercepts drugs disguised in items like prayer beads, clothing, and board games, intended to pass through logistics companies and Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.
In a statement issued on Sunday, March 16, 2025, Femi Babafemi, the Director of Media and Advocacy, announced that at least two suspects had been arrested. One of them is Jakpor Egware May, a 43-year-old businesswoman, who was caught on March 8 attempting to board an Air France flight to Italy. During a search, NDLEA officers found 190 parcels of tramadol (225mg) and skunk, a type of cannabis, hidden in her luggage. She claimed she bought the drugs to sell in Italy.
Another suspect, 60-year-old Yahaya Fatai Ayinla, was arrested on March 11 while trying to ship 400 grams of skunk in a cargo labeled as clothing, bound for New York. Further operations showed that NDLEA intercepts drugs effectively, with over two kilograms of various drugs, including Loud and Molly, hidden in vitamin C bottles and women’s clothing also being seized. Additionally, 230 grams of cocaine concealed in prayer beads and shoe soles were intercepted, heading for Saudi Arabia, Poland, and the UAE.
In Kano, officers recovered 727 blocks of compressed skunk weighing 479 kg from Hassan Haruna, 40, on March 12. In Kogi State, they intercepted 58,300 tramadol pills from a bus on its way from Lagos to Abuja.
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Raid operations in Kaduna led to the arrests of Idris Hamza, 21, and Aminu Magaji, 25, with thousands of tramadol pills found in their possession. In Kwara State, NDLEA operatives seized a total of 40,200 tramadol pills from two suspects, while another suspect was arrested with 21,700 capsules.
Further arrests included Polycarp Adeku in Taraba State with 15.77 kg of skunk and Ade Esan in Abuja with 27,800 tramadol pills. In Abia State, 34-year-old Chinaza Nwogu was arrested with various drugs, including heroin and methamphetamine.
Throughout these operations, NDLEA intercepts drugs successfully and continues promoting its War Against Drug Abuse initiatives across various communities and schools, aiming to educate the public about the dangers of drug abuse.
Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa, the NDLEA’s Chairman, praised his officers for their efforts and commitment to reducing drug supply and demand throughout Nigeria.
