The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intensified its anti-drug operations, arresting high-profile individuals and seizing large quantities of illicit substances in various locations across Nigeria.
Motivational Speaker Arrested for Cannabis Smuggling
US-trained filmmaker and motivational speaker, Emeka Emmanuel Mbadiwe, was apprehended on December 27, 2024, at a hotel in Lekki, Lagos. The arrest followed the earlier detention of his associate, Uzoekwe Ugochukwu James, who was caught at a warehouse in Ajao Estate, Ikeja, with 33 parcels of “Loud,” a potent cannabis strain weighing 17.30 kilograms. The shipment, concealed in large wooden boxes, had arrived from the United States at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) on December 24, 2024.
Drug Kingpin and Lagos Socialite Captured
NDLEA operatives arrested 61-year-old Alhaja Aishat Feyisara Ajoke Elediye, known as “Iya Ruka,” on January 1, 2025, at her mansion in Okota, Lagos. Elediye, a notorious drug cartel leader operating in Mushin, was apprehended after the interception of a truckload of drugs. A white Izuzu truck carrying 44 jumbo sacks containing 1,540 kilograms of imported cannabis led the operatives to her residence. While publicly known as a businesswoman dealing in fabrics and shoes, Elediye was revealed to be a key figure in the drug trade.
Drug-Laced Cupcakes Discovered in Ilorin
In Ilorin, Kwara State, NDLEA officers arrested Khadijat Abdulraheem, 24, and Ayomide Morakinyo, 20, on December 29, 2024. The duo was involved in producing and selling drug-laced cupcakes to students. A search of their apartment on Tanke-University of Ilorin Road uncovered 42 drugged cakes.
Ex-Convict Rearrested for Passport Smuggling
Ex-convict Sodade Sunday Eniola, previously jailed for drug trafficking, was rearrested for smuggling passports concealed in shoe soles and food items. NDLEA operatives intercepted 52 passports destined for Canada, Russia, and other countries at the Lagos airport in December 2024. Investigations led to the arrest of three additional suspects involved in the racket.
Codeine-Based Syrup Seized at Port Harcourt Ports
On December 31, 2024, NDLEA and Nigeria Customs Service seized 316,800 bottles of codeine-based syrup during a joint operation at the Port Harcourt Ports Complex in Rivers State. The consignment, hidden in two containers, was intercepted following actionable intelligence.
Massive Drug Haul in Kano
In Kano, operatives recovered 149,090 pills of tramadol and Exol-5 from a dealer, Ismail Muhammad, during a raid in the Mafarki, Dan Dishe area of Dala Local Government on December 31, 2024.
NDLEA’s Commitment to Combating Drug Trafficking
The NDLEA’s recent operations underscore its commitment to dismantling drug syndicates and curbing the spread of narcotics in Nigeria. Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, reiterated the agency’s resolve to bring offenders to justice and protect communities from the dangers of drug abuse.
