Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have arrested a 48-year-old businessman allegedly attempting to smuggle cocaine to India. The suspect, identified as Nwankwo Innocent Onyebuchi, was arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, while preparing to board a Qatar Airways flight to New Delhi.
According to the agency, 1.550 kilogrammes of cocaine was discovered concealed inside the side walls and railings of his check-in bag. NDLEA said the suspect, who deals in marbles in Lagos, had allegedly sold his business and other assets to raise N23 million for the cocaine consignment.
He reportedly expected to sell the drugs in India for about N100 million. The agency said his arrest had effectively ended what it described as his attempt to make quick money through the illicit drug trade. Nwankwo remains in NDLEA custody pending prosecution.
In another operation, NDLEA operatives acting on intelligence raided a warehouse inside a residential compound on Hakeem Dosumu Street, Ago Palace area of Okota, Lagos. The operation led to the recovery of 3,776 cartons containing 377,600 bottles of codeine-based syrup.
The controlled substance was valued by the agency at more than N2.6 billion. The seizure was made between Friday, August 7, and Saturday, August 8, 2026. The agency also reported the arrest of a 55-year-old alleged drug kingpin, Shoremi Kayode, during a raid on his residence at Ipaja Estate, Lagos.
NDLEA said operatives recovered 324 kilogrammes of Colorado, a synthetic strain of cannabis, from the operation. The agency put the street value of the seizure at N972 million. A Mercedes-Benz and Toyota Corolla were also recovered from the suspect. Combined, the codeine and Colorado seizures were valued at about N3.57 billion.
In Ilorin, Kwara State, NDLEA arrested Abubakar Adamu, 50, and Bilyaminu Nuhu, 30, around the Kam Wire area. The suspects were allegedly found with 55.96 kilogrammes of skunk in a truck marked DKA 350 XL. Meanwhile, officers patrolling the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Oyo State arrested 70-year-old Abdulfatai Oyelaran and Abdulrauf Ajadi, 50. A Toyota Sienna reportedly marked FFA-115KA was recovered from them.
The vehicle contained 52,000 ampoules of pentazocine injection and 6,000 ampoules of tramadol injection, according to NDLEA. Along the Onitsha-Asaba Expressway, the agency also arrested Osaro Ikpoba, 43, and Samuel Godbless, 18.
Their alleged drug haul included 124,100 tramadol pills, 786 bottles of codeine syrup, 2,598 Rohypnol tablets, 4,800 diazepam tablets, 470 ampoules of pentazocine and 200 ampoules of tramadol. Another suspect, Emeka Tony, 50, was arrested along the Kwale-Ozoro Expressway. NDLEA said officers recovered 1,244 cartridges and N8 million in cash during the operation.
In Plateau State, NDLEA officers intercepted a Toyota Corolla along the Riyom-Jos road. The operation led to the recovery of 239,490 capsules of Tramaforce, a brand of tramadol. A suspect identified as Kasum Sherif was arrested in connection with the seizure.
NDLEA also reported the arrest of six suspects during a patrol along the Zaria-Kano Road. They were identified as Okodili Ibeabuchi, 60; Onyeka Vincent, 47; Nwanko Wisdom, 36; Success Chigozie, 30; Emmanuel Jude, 27; and Chinedu Peter, 39. The agency said operatives recovered 728,958 pills of tramadol, Rohypnol and other opioids, alongside 360 grammes of cocaine, 99.8 grammes of methamphetamine, 50 bottles of codeine syrup and 2.7 kilogrammes of Loud, a synthetic cannabis strain.
In another operation in Kano, officers raided Zawaciki Gida Dubu in Kumbotso Local Government Area. The raid resulted in the recovery of 171 blocks of skunk weighing 106.8 kilogrammes. Two suspects, Mustapha Iliya, 30, and Abdulwahab Abdulrashid, 24, were arrested.
In Edo State, NDLEA said 4,628.9775 kilogrammes of skunk were destroyed following raids on two cannabis farms covering 1.851591 hectares at Ugboku/Igbanke forest in Orhionmwon Local Government Area.
A 40-year-old suspect, Agholor Elebojie, was arrested at one of the farms during the operation. Another operation at drug joints in the Oluku area of Benin City resulted in the arrest of Kingsley Anigala, 28. NDLEA said officers recovered 25.857 kilogrammes of Loud and 93 grammes of methamphetamine from him.
Beyond arrests and seizures, the agency said its War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, advocacy activities continued across the country.
Among the activities were sensitisation lectures for students and staff of Madarasatu Sheikh Muhammad Rabi’u Arabic School in Kano and Olomu Junior Secondary School in Ajah, Lagos State. NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), commended officers of the Lagos airport, Kano, Kwara, Edo, Plateau, Oyo and Delta commands for their recent operations.
Marwa also praised officers across the country for maintaining what he described as a balance between reducing the supply of illicit drugs and tackling demand through prevention and public awareness. He urged the agency’s personnel to sustain the momentum in the fight against drug trafficking and abuse.
