The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested Prophet Adefolusho Aanu Olasele, also known as Abbas Ajakaiye, founder and General Overseer of The Turn of Mercy Church, alongside several other suspects, in a sweeping series of anti-drug operations across Lagos, Kano, Nasarawa, and other states.
NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi revealed in a Sunday statement that the cleric was the key figure behind multiple large-scale drug consignments smuggled into the country.
After months on the run, Olasele was apprehended on Sunday, August 3, 2025, at his church premises on Okun Ajah, Ogombo Road, Lekki, Lagos. He had reportedly fled to Ghana in June following two major busts involving shipments of Ghana Loud, a potent variety of cannabis.
The first interception, on June 4, saw NDLEA agents recover 200 kg of the drug at Okun Ajah beach, while a second, on July 6, involved 700 kg seized from his delivery van. During interrogation, the preacher admitted smuggling cannabis from Ghana into Nigeria by sea and confirmed he had twice evaded capture before escaping abroad.
Lagos Operations
On August 7, NDLEA operatives raided an apartment in Kishi House, Parkview Estate, Ikoyi, arresting Benjamin Udo Ukoh and confiscating 15.63 kg of Canadian Loud packaged in 32 pouches.
Nasarawa Raid
A major haul was recorded in New Karu, Nasarawa State, on August 9, when 3,093kg of skunk was recovered from three suspects: Emmanuel Asoquo Johnny (51), Okem Raphael (33), and Chekwube Odo (25).
Multiple Arrests in Kano
In Kano State, August 8 saw the seizure of 639 blocks of skunk weighing 359kg from Nura Yahaya (29) in Geza, Kumbotso LGA. Two days earlier, along the Zaria–Kano highway, Umar Adamu Umar (27) was caught with 9kg of Colorado cannabis. That same day, at Gadar Tamburawa, Usman Musa (30) was intercepted with 20,000 tramadol tablets and 200 diazepam ampoules.
Gombe Crackdown
On August 8, a search of an unfinished building in Tudun Wada, Pantami, uncovered 550,266 opioid pills — mainly tramadol — leading to the arrest of Usama Isah. A day later, Ibrahim Adamu (23) was stopped along Potiskum Road, Bajoga, with 50,000 tramadol capsules.
Edo Interception
In Edo State, on August 6, NDLEA agents at Ewu Junction halted a white Toyota Hiace en route from Onitsha to Isanlu. A search revealed 23,940 tramadol capsules, 1,100 tablets, and 400 ampoules of pentazocine injection. The driver, identified as Taiye Jethro, was detained.
In total, the NDLEA’s coordinated operations across the country in just over a week netted 3,476kg of illicit drugs, alongside vast quantities of opioids, as part of its ongoing crackdown on trafficking networks.
