Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a 42-year-old Angolan businessman, Mbala Abuba, for attempting to smuggle cocaine to Istanbul, Turkey.
Abuba, a native of Zaire Province in Angola, was intercepted on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, while trying to board an Egypt Air flight MS 880 to Istanbul via Cairo. A body scan confirmed he had ingested illicit drugs, leading to his placement under observation. Over several hours, he excreted 120 pellets of cocaine, weighing 1.829 kilograms, in seven rounds.
According to NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi, Abuba claimed he had previously been in the township delivery business before turning to drug trafficking.
Other Drug-Related Arrests and Seizures
In a related operation, NDLEA officers thwarted an attempt by Okeke Igwe, an auto spare parts dealer, to smuggle 1.10kg of cocaine concealed in vehicle propellers to Angola. Igwe was arrested on Monday, February 24, 2025, at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
Another suspect, Ezechi Cyprian, was apprehended on Sunday, February 23, 2025, while transporting 5.40kg of cocaine to Owerri, Imo State, in a Toyota Sienna. His arrest followed weeks of surveillance.
Large Drug Hauls in Lagos and Beyond
At Tincan Seaport, Lagos, on Friday, February 28, 2025, a joint operation by NDLEA, Customs, and other security agencies led to the discovery of 128 parcels of Canadian Loud (a potent cannabis strain) hidden inside two mattresses in a Toyota Venza imported from Canada. The 63.75kg consignment was found in a container from Montreal, Canada. The consignee, 44-year-old Bamidele Joseph, was arrested.
In Delta State, NDLEA operatives, supported by the military, raided a 20-hectare cannabis farm in Innam-Abbi/Orogun, Ndokwa West LGA, destroying over 50,000kg of illicit crops and arresting five suspects: Augustine Subaru (45), Ukoba Malachukwu (53), Odalonu Emmanuel (40), Esuabom Macaulay (35), and Itoje Safe (54). In another operation, officers intercepted a Mercedes Benz truck along the Abraka-Orogun road, recovering 101 bags of skunk weighing 1,111kg.
Nationwide Crackdown on Drug Trafficking
In Edo State, NDLEA and military operatives stormed the Okpuje community in Owan West LGA on Saturday, March 1, 2025, seizing 1,409.5kg of skunk and destroying over 100 jumbo bags of the substance. Two suspects, Oikelomen Osere Monday (38) and Glory Iroyo (42), were arrested.
Additional arrests and seizures included:
- Michael Omoloki (46) caught with 58.5kg of skunk at the Lagos-Ibadan expressway in Oyo State.
- Lawali Mohammed, a Beninese national, nabbed in Kwara State with 2,980 tramadol tablets and dozens of diazepam pills.
- Sunday Ogbu (45) arrested in Osun State for attempting to smuggle 1.05kg of skunk concealed in detergent and biscuit cartons.
- Ayuba Mustapha (30) arrested in Zamfara State with 24,700 tramadol pills.
- Mustapha Shettima (50) caught in Borno State with 31kg of skunk, 1,000 tramadol pills, and N720,000.
- Adamu Idris (40) apprehended in Kano with 140 blocks of cannabis weighing 73.5kg.
The NDLEA continues its crackdown on drug trafficking, ensuring those involved in the illicit trade face justice.