The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested 19 suspects while intercepting multiple drug consignments, including cocaine, tramadol, Loud, and Molly, concealed in prayer beads, board games, and female clothing. These illicit shipments were bound for destinations such as the United States, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Poland, and the United Arab Emirates via logistics firms and the Lagos airport.
NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi disclosed that on March 8, operatives apprehended 43-year-old businesswoman Jakpor Egware May at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, while attempting to board an Air France flight to Italy. A search of her luggage revealed 190 parcels of tramadol (225mg) and one parcel of skunk. She later confessed to purchasing the drugs for resale in Italy.
In a separate operation at the Lagos airport export shed, NDLEA officers arrested 60-year-old Yahaya Fatai Ayinla on March 11 while attempting to ship clothing embedded with 400 grams of skunk to New York.
Further interceptions at Lagos-based logistics firms uncovered over two kilograms of narcotics, including Loud, Molly, and tramadol, hidden in vitamin C bottles and women’s clothing, all bound for the U.S. Additionally, 230 grams of cocaine were discovered concealed in prayer beads, locally made shoe soles, and board game packs destined for Saudi Arabia, Poland, and the UAE.
Nationwide Crackdown on Drug Trafficking
The NDLEA also carried out successful drug busts across multiple states:
- Kano State (March 12): 479 kg of compressed skunk was seized from 40-year-old Hassan Haruna.
- Kogi State (March 11): 58,300 tramadol pills were intercepted along the Kabba-Obajana highway.
- Kaduna State (March 13): 21-year-old Idris Hamza was caught with 4,900 tramadol pills in Kachia, while Aminu Magaji was arrested in Hayin Banki with 2,900 pills the next day.
- Kwara State (March 13-14): Authorities seized 61,900 tramadol pills from suspects along the Ilorin-Jebba expressway.
- Taraba State (March 14): 35-year-old Polycarp Adeku was arrested with 15.77 kg of skunk in Kurmi LGA.
- Osun State (March 13): A commercial bus carrying 48.7 kg of cannabis strains, including Ghanaian Loud, Colorado, and Canadian Loud, was intercepted.
- FCT, Abuja (March 11): 58-year-old Ade Esan was caught with 27,800 tramadol pills, while 26-year-old Usman Mohammed was found in possession of skunk and cocaine.
- Abia State (March 15): A raid in Ntigha, Isiala-Ngwa North LGA, led to the arrest of Chinaza Nwogu, aka “Young Money,” with heroin, methamphetamine, cannabis, cocaine, and N753,015 in cash.
NDLEA’s Continued War Against Drug Abuse
Beyond enforcement, the NDLEA remains committed to its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign, educating students, workers, and religious groups nationwide. Awareness programs were conducted in schools across Lagos, Adamawa, Kogi, Anambra, and Ekiti states.
NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa, praised the agency’s officers for their relentless efforts.
“These arrests and seizures highlight our dual approach to curbing drug trafficking and reducing demand for illicit substances in Nigeria,” Marwa stated. “We will continue dismantling trafficking networks while raising awareness about the dangers of drug abuse.”
