The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted over N6.5 billion worth of opioids during operations at the Apapa Port in Lagos and the Port Harcourt Ports Complex, Onne, Rivers State, leading to the arrest of two British nationals and two Nigerians.
In a statement released on Sunday, May 25, 2025, NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, revealed that the agency recovered:
- 6 million pills of opioids, including Tamol 225mg, Tapentadol 225mg, and Carisoprodol 225mg
- 332,000 bottles of codeine-based cough syrup
- Estimated total street value: ₦6.52 billion
Details of the Seizure
At the Onne Port, NDLEA operatives, alongside Nigeria Customs and other security agencies, uncovered:
- Six million pills of opioids
- 162,000 bottles of codeine syrup
- Found in two containers during joint examinations on May 19th and 20th
At the Apapa Port, a separate operation on May 22nd led to the interception of:
- 170,000 bottles of codeine syrup
- Found in a watch-listed container flagged for full inspection
https://x.com/ndlea_nigeria/status/1926577925203075189?
Arrests at Lagos Airport
At the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, NDLEA arrested:
- Mhizha Jordan Alexander Tatendra (British)
- Ayedipe Andrew Adejuwon (Nigerian-British)
- Shonowo Oluwaseun Imole (Nigerian)
- Ofuoma Omokaro Ayobami (Nigerian)
They were caught attempting to smuggle 92 bags of “Loud” cannabis (weighing 51.10kg) into Nigeria.
According to the NDLEA:
- Alexander was intercepted on arrival from Doha via Qatar Airways on May 15th
- He was monitored and followed to the airport car park, where his accomplices were waiting
- All four were arrested as they attempted to leave the premises with the drugs
Confessions and Further Findings
- Alexander confessed he was promised £1,300 for successfully delivering the drugs
- Ayedipe admitted he had just flown in from South Africa via Ghana
A follow-up search at their Lekki residence yielded:
- ₦3.81 million cash, ₦93,000, and 17,200 South African Rand
- An Apple laptop, iPhone 14 Pro Max, and four canisters of laughing gas (nitrous oxide)
Nationwide Crackdown on Drug Trafficking
Other major NDLEA operations across Nigeria include:
- Cross River: 75,000kg of cannabis destroyed on 30 hectares in Esuk-Odot; 200kg recovered
- Edo State: 1,957.5kg of cannabis destroyed in Ohosu and Okhuse forests
- Nasarawa: 4,000kg of skunk intercepted in a lorry in Keffi; 154.5kg seized in Karu
- Kaduna: 22-year-old caught with 57,750 pills of tramadol and diazepam on the Kaduna-Zaria Expressway
- Bauchi: 45kg of skunk seized from a suspect on Bauchi–Misau Road
- Yobe: 2kg of Colorado (synthetic cannabis) intercepted from a smuggler en route to Chad
- Niger State: 97kg of cannabis intercepted in a Mercedes Benz along Mokwa–Jebba road
- Lagos:
- Osapa London: suspect caught with cocaine, meth, molly, Rohypnol, codeine, cannabis, and nitrous oxide
- Ibeju-Lekki: 48kg of skunk recovered and one suspect arrested
The NDLEA noted that the massive seizures followed enhanced intelligence and surveillance efforts targeting new smuggling routes and drug trafficking syndicates. Containers involved were flagged and subjected to 100% physical examination.
