Tag Archives: NDLEA

NDLEA destroys 54 tons of Illicit drugs in Kaduna

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Kaduna State Command, has destroyed over 52,481 kilograms of assorted illicit drugs seized from different parts of the state.

The destruction exercise, held on Thursday at Kufena in Zaria, along Birnin Gwari Road, marked a significant step in the agency’s ongoing efforts to rid the state of narcotic substances.

State Commander of the NDLEA, Mohammed Tukur, said the operation symbolised a collective commitment to protecting communities from the devastating effects of drug abuse and trafficking.

He said the exhibits destroyed were outcomes of several intelligence-driven operations carried out in collaboration with the military, police, customs, and other security agencies across the state.

Tukur added that the destruction reflected the agency’s transparency, accountability, and professionalism in handling drug exhibits in line with legal requirements.

He commended the NDLEA Chairman,retired  Brigadier-General Buba Marwa , for his visionary leadership and reforms,which he said had  continued to strengthen the agency’s efficiency and professionalism nationwide.

The Commander also lauded Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, for his continuous support to the NDLEA, stressing that the government’s backing had enhanced the command’s operational effectiveness.

Read Also: NDLEA intercepts businessman with 81 wraps of cocaine at Lagos airport

In his remarks, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd), said the destruction underscored the scale of the agency’s work and its determination to prevent dangerous drugs from re-entering society.

Marwa, represented by Deputy Commander General (DCG) Sulaiman Ningi, Director of Operations and General Investigation, praised the Kaduna Command for its professionalism and acknowledged the state government’s donation of two new operational vehicles and land for the construction of barracks and office facilities.

Marwa reiterated the agency’s commitment to its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign, urging parents, schools, and communities to join the fight against the growing menace of drug abuse.

The state governor, represented by  Special Adviser on Drugs and Narcotics Control, Umar Bambale, said the exercise demonstrated the state’s firm stand against drug trafficking and abuse.

He said the SUSTAIN Agenda of the administration integrates anti-drug initiatives into security, education, welfare, and healthcare development plans across Kaduna State.

Sani reaffirmed the state government’s resolve to strengthen partnerships with NDLEA and other stakeholders in promoting prevention, rehabilitation, and enforcement strategies.

He called on traditional rulers, parents, and community leaders to intensify awareness and vigilance, stressing that drug abuse remains both a law enforcement and societal challenge.

The event attracted senior security officers, government officials, traditional rulers, and community stakeholders, who pledged continued collaboration toward achieving a drug-free Kaduna State.

(NAN)

NDLEA seizes 2.318 tons of marijuana in Kwara

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), says it has intercepted and  seized 2.318 tons of cannabis in the last one week in Kwara.

The NDLEA Commander in the state, Hajia Fatima Popoola, said this at a news conference in Ilorin on Tuesday.

Popoola said that the cannabis were intercepted during two operations along Offa and Omu Aran axis of the state command at about 3:00 am and 5:30 am.

She said that four suspects arrested in connection with the seizures, concealed the drugs among sacks of saw dust.

“This is one of the biggest seizures we’ve made in a single week in recent time, and the street value of what we seized runs into at least billions of naira.

“This shows just how serious the drug use and trafficking have become in Kwara,” she said.

Popoola said that one of the suspects, a driver, was caught with 1.2 tons of cannabis, another suspect with 300kg of cannabis, while the remaining 720kg seizure was linked to two suspects.

Read Also: NDLEA arrests notorious drug kingpin in Delta

The drugs were reportedly concealed in Canter trucks and disguised as ordinary goods with sacks of saw dust to deceive NDLEA officials at the check points.

“A J5 vehicle was checked, which appeared to be empty, but we found it loaded with cannabis, and these operations took place mostly between 3:00 am and 5:30 am, when traffickers often move to avoid detection,” she said.

The commander, who noted that drugs are at the root of many criminal activities, added that, “no sane person wakes up to commit inhumane acts or violent crimes, most of the time, there is drug influence behind it.”

She said that security challenges in such places like Kaiama, Chikanda, Patigi, Edu, and Omu Aran were drug-related.

The commander said that while only two tons of drugs were seized in 2024, the command has seized over 2,000 kilograms between January and August  2025.

She attributed the feat achieved to the synergy among sister security agencies, saying that, “the NDLEA is not working alone. We are working with the police, army, civil defence, and traditional rulers.”

Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq commended the agency for the feat, adding the arrests and seizures reflected the commitment of his administeation to eliminate drug abuse in the state.

Represented by Alhaji Saadu Salahu,  the Senior Adviser/Counsellor,  AbdulRazaq said the state was working closely with the NDLEA in mobilising traditional rulers, community leaders, civil society groups, and religious institutions to create awareness on the dangers of drug abuse.

“We need to educate the younger generation on the health implications of involvement in drugs,” he said.

He urged residents of the state to be vigilant and report suspicious activities, stressing that the fight against drug trafficking requires everyone’s support.

The News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN) reports that the event was attended by the representatives of traditional rulers, military and para-military agencies.

(NAN)

NDLEA arrests notorious drug kingpin in Delta

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has arrested a drug kingpin Sunday Ibigide, three years after launching a manhunt for him over drug trafficking offences in Asaba, Delta.

The Director, Media and Advocacy NDLEA, Mr Femi Babafemi said this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

Babafemi said that the suspect was arrested while attempting to move 250 blocks of skunk weighing 138 kilograms with his distribution bus.

He said that Ibigide came under searchlight on March 19, 2022 in connection with the seizure of 24.137kg of the same psychoactive substance and 10grams of molly but thereafter went underground.

“However, following credible intelligence, NDLEA operatives in Delta state were able to arrest him along with one of his aides.

“They were arrested while they were trying to move the 250 parcels of skunk for distribution on Sunday, August 10, 2025.”

According to him, no fewer than six suspects were arrested on Thursday, Aug. 14 and Friday, Aug. 15 when NDLEA operatives supported by the military and vigilantes raided three cannabis farms in Enugu Ezike, Enugu state.

Read Also: NDLEA arrests Lagos General Overseer for masterminding cross-border drug trafficking

He said a total of 37,500kg skunk was destroyed on 15 hectares of farmland during the operation.

“74.5kg of the illicit substance was recovered for the prosecution of the suspects,” he said.

In another development, 20,700 pills of tramadol and cocodamol were seized from a suspect by NDLEA officers on patrol along Nsukka road, 9th mile Enugu on Saturday, Aug. 16.

Babafemi said that two other suspects were arrested with 27.6kg skunk the same day at the new market, Enugu.

Also, In Lagos, a 52-year-old woman was arrested with her son, 25, by NDLEA operatives at Ladega street, Mushin on Wednesday, Aug. 13.

Babafemi said that they were arrested for storing and distributing 298 blocks of Ghana Loud weighing 149kg.

He said that another suspect was nabbed on Friday, Aug.15 in Ajah area of Lekki where 8.5kg Canadian Loud, a strain of cannabis, was recovered from his apartment.

(NAN)

NDLEA intercepts large cocaine, tramadol consignments at Lagos airport

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Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted consignments of cocaine and tramadol 225mg concealed in 71 vehicle side mirrors being sent to Libreville, Gabon.

This is contained in a statement by the Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, Mr Femi Babafemi in Abuja on Sunday.

Babafemi said that the drugs were shipped through the export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Ikeja Lagos.

He said that not less than three suspects linked to the cargo have already been arrested in follow-up operations.

‘The first batch of the consignment consisting 57,420 pills of tramadol 225mg and 57 pellets of cocaine weighing 1.60kg were intercepted in a cargo going to Gabon on Air Côte d’Ivoire on Saturday, July 19.

“A popular cargo agent Ihekweme Osinachi handling the shipment was immediately arrested, after which further investigation led to the arrest of another suspect Uzochukwu Chukwurah on Sunday, July 20.

Read Also: NDLEA detains couple, two daughters for alleged drug running

“Eleven parcels of cocaine with a total weight of 1kg were later recovered from four additional side mirrors being prepared for export found in the home of Uzochukwu on Monday, July 21.

“This brings the total number of parcels of cocaine to 68 weighing 2.60 kilograms,”he said.

In a related development, NDLEA operatives on Friday, August 1 arrested a businesswoman Mrs. Rosanna Nwafor at her shop within the Trade Fair Complex, Ojo, Lagos.

Babafemi said that her arrest followed the interception of 100 grams of cocaine and 300 grams of phenacetine.

This, he said was a cutting agent, concealed in ladies’ lipsticks going to Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, through the export shed of the Lagos airport on July 10.

“Two cargo agents linked to the shipment were earlier arrested before the eventual arrest of Nwafor who runs the criminal trade as a family business with her husband Remigus Nwafor, currently on the run.

“In her statement, Mrs. Nwafor admitted she bought the lipsticks used to conceal the illicit drugs while her husband handled the actual concealment,”he said.

(NAN)

NDLEA detains couple, two daughters for alleged drug running

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Sunday said it has arrested and detained a businessman, his wife and two daughters over alleged drug peddling.

In a statement by the NDLEA Director, Media And Advocacy, Femi Babafemi in Abuja, stated that their family friend was also taken into custody.

Babafemi said that this came after investigation revealed that the family ran a major illicit drug distribution network in Lagos involving the family friend.

“The couple was first arrested on Friday, June 13 by operatives of the Department of State Security (DSS) in Ojo area of the state and transferred to NDLEA along with 277.5kg skunk.

Read Also: NDLEA intercepts businessman with 81 wraps of cocaine at Lagos airport

“While they were still being investigated in custody, credible intelligence revealed that the family business was going on in his house.

“This led to a raid of their home and a packing store where 231kg of the same substance was recovered on Tuesday, July 1.”

Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, (MMIA), Ikeja Lagos on Wednesday, July 2 intercepted a frequent flyer for drug trafficking.

Babafemi said that the suspect specialised in conveying goods for customers from Nigeria to Italy and vice versa.

“He was found to have hidden 7,660 pills of tramadol 225mg and 200mg inside food items packed among other goods he was conveying to Italy.

“He claimed that he was to be paid the sum of 800 euros upon successful delivery of the drug consignment in Italy,”he said.

(NAN)

NDLEA intercepts businessman with 81 wraps of cocaine at Lagos airport

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has arrested a 59-year-old businessman, Chijioke Igbokwe for ingesting 81 pellets of cocaine at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos.

This is contained in a statement by the Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, Mr Femi Babafemi on Sunday in Abuja.

Babafemi said that the suspect had undergone a surgery, exploratory laparotomy, to let out 57 out of 81 pellets of cocaine stuck in his stomach.

This, he said, was after seven days of ingesting the illicit substance in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

He said that Igbokwe was arrested by operatives of the NDLEA, at the arrival hall of the MMIA, during the inward clearance of passengers on Ethiopian Airlines flight on Sunday, January, 26.

He added that the suspect who was promptly taken for body scan, which revealed illicit drugs in his system was soon after taken into NDLEA custody for excretion observation.

According to Babafemi, Investigation revealed that Igbokwe who claims to be into cloth business at Arena, Oshodi area of Lagos, departed Lagos on Jan. 22 to Addis Ababa.

This, he said, was where he ingested the 81 wraps of cocaine the following day Jan. 23 and boarded a flight to Beirut, Lebanon to deliver the illicit consignment for a fee of $3,000.

“Upon his arrival in Beirut, he said he was refused entry because he had less than $2,000, the amount required to grant him entry.

“He was then deported to Addis Ababa where he attempted excreting the illicit drugs but could not.

“He thereafter proceeded to Lagos on Saturday, Jan. 25 with the consignment in his bowel. He was however arrested upon his arrival at the Lagos airport by NDLEA officers on Jan. 26.

Read Also: LASTMA rescued 1,075 from road crashes in 2024 – GM

“After five days under excretion observation, he could only expel 24 pellets following initial medical intervention at the Agency’s medical facility and the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) Ikeja.

“With the clock ticking for him and the complication of other underlying medical conditions, the suspect was eventually admitted at the tertiary facility.

“This was where he had to undergo exploratory laparotomy to extract the remaining 57 wraps of cocaine stuck in his stomach after his wife and brother endorsed the necessary consent forms on Thursday, Jan. 30.

“In all, a total of 81 pellets of the Class A drug with a gross weight of 1.943 kilograms were recovered from his stomach,” he said.

Babafemi quoted the NDLEA Chairman, retired Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa, as commending the officers and men of the MMIA strategic command for their vigilance and professionalism in handling Chijioke Igbokwe’s case

Marwa warned those involved in the illicit drug trade that they’re not only destroying the lives of others, but equally putting their own lives at great risk.

(NAN)