In one of its most decisive operations to date, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted 942 live explosives, thwarting a potential terror operation en route to Zamfara State, while also seizing 3.5 million opioid pills, 163,000 bottles of codeine syrup, and several other hard drugs in a sweeping anti-narcotics offensive across Nigeria.
The seizure—announced Sunday by NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi—was carried out by operatives patrolling the Kaduna-Zaria Expressway. The explosives, concealed in sacks and loaded in a commercial vehicle from Nasarawa State, were destined for a region long wracked by insurgency and illegal mining. A suspect, Nura Sani Muhammad (aka Nura Hariji), was arrested and has since been handed over to appropriate security authorities.
“This is not just a drug issue. It’s a national security threat,” noted a senior security analyst. “The link between drugs, arms, and insurgency is now undeniable. NDLEA’s interception may have prevented a catastrophe.”
Multi-State Drug Network Dismantled: N3.4 Billion Street Value Confiscated
In addition to the explosive seizure, NDLEA conducted a string of operations nationwide between April 28 and May 3, targeting drug syndicates trafficking in tramadol, codeine, cannabis, and synthetic opioids:
Port Harcourt (Onne Port): Joint inspection led to the seizure of 2 million pills of tramadol and 163,000 bottles of codeine, concealed in a container flagged for watch-list status.
Lagos (Alaba-Rago): 1.5 million pills of opioids confiscated from a suspect. The trail led to Victoria Garden City, Lekki, where the primary source, Obinna Kenneth, remains at large.
MMIA Lagos Airport: NDLEA recovered 20kg of Canadian Loud cannabis disguised as tins of Milo and beans in cargo arriving from Canada via British Airways. Three suspects were arrested, including Monsurat Ewawunmi Lawson.
Courier Operation to Iraq: Interception of tramadol and skunk hidden in body cream bottles destined for Iraq.
Apapa Seaport: Arrest of drug kingpin Dominic Chiegozie Obijiaku, MD of Ovidaq Intl. Ltd., connected to the July 2024 seizure of 2.6 million tramadol pills.
Kano, Anambra, Edo, Niger: Over 300,000 pills and injectable narcotics seized, with multiple syndicates dismantled and suspects arrested.
NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended officers across all zones and reiterated the agency’s resolve to balance supply reduction with aggressive public education through its WADA (War Against Drug Abuse) initiative.
A National Crisis: Nigeria’s Growing Narco-Terror Threat
Experts warn that Nigeria is now facing the convergence of narcotics trafficking, arms smuggling, and terrorism, where profits from drug sales finance insurgency operations. The fact that explosives and hard drugs are moving through mainstream transport channels underscores deep gaps in surveillance, customs intelligence, and port security.
“We are not just fighting traffickers; we’re fighting a shadow economy of terror,” said a retired military intelligence chief. “The war on drugs is now the war for Nigeria’s stability.”
Global Comparisons: What Others Did Right
Colombia defeated its drug cartels through military-police synergy, judicial reforms, and asset forfeiture laws.
Brazil used digital cargo tracking and regional surveillance networks to dismantle complex drug routes.
Vietnam implemented rural education and economic incentives to deter drug production and distribution.
Nigeria has made strides, but the continued reliance on reactive operations leaves the nation vulnerable to emerging threats.
A Proactive Digital Solution: ICTN to the Rescue
To move from containment to prevention, experts are calling for the urgent adoption of the International Cargo Tracking Note (ICTN)—a digital, intelligence-driven cargo monitoring system proposed by Eden & Frabemar Global ICTN Services.
“ICTN is a security tool, not just a trade tool,” a company spokesperson said. “It can detect and intercept over 70% of illicit drugs, arms, and contraband before they enter Nigerian ports or borders.”
With real-time tracking, data analytics, and pre-arrival risk profiling, ICTN allows Customs, NDLEA, and security agencies to flag suspect cargo at origin—before it lands in Lagos, Onne, or Tin Can ports.
“Arresting smugglers is reactive. Nigeria must become proactive,” said Dr. G. Fraser, MFR, an advocate for national digital border security. “ICTN is the kind of out-of-the-box, tech-powered solution Nigeria needs to protect its sovereignty, stabilize its economy, and dismantle the drug-arms-insurgency pipeline.”
The Eden & Frabemar ICTN proposal, already submitted to government stakeholders, offers a cost-free, fully digital infrastructure to close the porous gateways exploited by transnational criminals.
Conclusion: From Interdiction to Intelligence
The NDLEA’s recent week of breakthroughs is both a triumph and a wake-up call. Nigeria cannot afford to fight modern security threats with outdated tools and fragmented responses. The time has come for the Federal Government to act with strategic urgency, backing enforcement with digital infrastructure and inter-agency coordination.
As Marwa’s NDLEA continues to lead the charge, the adoption of ICTN could be the defining move in Nigeria’s national security playbook—turning interception into prevention, and border weakness into border intelligence.
Headlinenews.news Special Investigative Report
“NDLEA Foils Explosives Plot, Seizes N3.4bn Worth of Drugs Across Nigeria” Fact or fiction? NDLEA has risen above the cancer of corruption to perform this feat. Congrats to Marwa. Highly commendable. Great analysis by Headlinenews.news. There is hope for Nigeria.
I support the ICTN project by Eden & Frabemar and will do my bit to get it to take off soonest – House of Representatives member.
“Explosives for Zamfara, Codeine in Milo Tins: NDLEA Uncovers Nationwide Drug Syndicate” Kudos to NDLEA. This is a nice article. Headlinenews.news is setting a novel pace in Nigeria. Perception management and patriotism? Keep it up. -International Organisation.
“From Port to Airport: NDLEA Shuts Down Multi-Billion Naira Drug and Arms Network” This is amazing. So, Nigeria can have such a syndicate operating for illicit Drugs, arms, ammunition, Explosives etc? No wonder the war on insecurity has not reduced insurgency. Our borders and ports are so porous. We need a multidimensional strategy to eliminate insecurity in the country and NDLEA is playing a good role. Now it’s to be proactive and prevent these illicit goods from entry with the Eden Frabemar project. It’s important for the Presidency to get involved at this stage. Besides, that project saves Nigeria hundreds of millions of dollars, so why not implement it? Enemies of Nigeria at work again. -Retired Nigerian Ambassador.
“Nigeria’s Border Crisis Exposed: NDLEA Intercepts Explosives, Narcotics in Massive Sweep”. Fantastic job and fantastic article. I am impressed. Headlinenews.news should continue this good objective reporting and analysis. I commend Marwa’s leadership. He is the best NDLEA boss Nigeria has ever produced. I salute his effort. Now, we must stop these syndicate from operating. That ICTN project must take off soonest. What is delaying it? That NSC chap doesn’t know anything. It’s better the Presidency intervenes and appoints the operator immediately. Former Governor.
“NDLEA Intercepts 942 Explosives, Dismantles Drug Rings in Lagos, PH, Kano, Anambra” Kudos to the NDLEA. That’s one agency that deserves commendation. The enemies of Nigeria will never succeed with their evil plans. God is greater than them. The President needs our support. – Spiritual Leader.
“Drugs, Guns, and Chocolate Tins: Inside NDLEA’s Boldest Week Yet” Seems like a movie set. It appears the syndicate is planning to set Nigeria on fire with all this contraband. We must urgently protect our sovereignty. The DSS ought to find out the destination of these goods in Zamfara while being proactive to block all possible channels. I agree with the Eden & Frabemar ICTN project because with the level of corruption, it’s difficult to stop this importation of arms and ammunition. Only the Eden & Frabemar project can stop it. Government should move fast and act because everyday, more arms and ammunition are entering and moving around Nigeria.
– Retired Intelligence Officer.
“Zamfara-Bound Explosives, Canadian Cannabis Seized as NDLEA Tightens Net”- Unbelievable that so much has been happening and has not reduced. It’s time to change strategy to save Nigeria. The importation of these arms, ammunition & Drugs is alarming. We must act now. I support the Eden & Frabemar Global ICTN project for Nigeria. I have read much about it. What is delaying the implementation? The Presidency should step in. – Retired Military General.
“NDLEA Thwarts Terror Supply Chain, Uncovers N3.4bn Narcotics Empire”- We commend the effort of Gen Buba Marwa, it’s time to be proactive, let’s apply digitalization to protect the country’s imports as proposed by Eden & Frabemar Global ICTN. Time to act.
– Headlinenews.news Special Investigative Report
“Explosives, Tramadol, and Codeine: NDLEA Strikes at the Heart of Nigeria’s Illicit Trade” – Congratulations to Marwa led NDLEA for a commendable performance. We need to be proactive now so as to address the root channel for entry into Nigeria and a stiff capital punishment for offenders. It’s the only way to save our Youth who are expected to be tomorrow’s leaders! It’s time to act. – the National Patriots.
10. “Terror Trails and Tramadol: NDLEA Seizures Reveal Depth of Nigeria’s Smuggling Crisis”, good article with solutions. I always like reading Headlinenews.news for the analysis and perspective. Keep it up. This ICTN project is critical for Nigeria now, so I trust the FG is on it. I agree that we must be proactive not reactive. Good article. Elder Statesman.
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