Felix Mbata, Lagos state
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has recorded multiple high-impact interdictions across airports, seaports, highways, and motor parks, reaffirming its resolve to cut off drug supply chains while intensifying prevention. The operations led to the arrest of a businesswoman bound for China with cocaine, the seizure of 4.9 tonnes of Canadian ‘Loud’ worth N12.3 billion at Lagos port, and the dismantling of syndicates trafficking tramadol and planting drugs in passengers’ luggage.
At the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, operatives arrested 38-year-old businesswoman Iwebema Ogechi Peace on Sunday, 21st June 2026. Acting on credible intelligence, they discovered 7.5 kilograms of cocaine hidden in a professionally constructed false bottom of her check-in luggage as she prepared to board a Qatar Airways flight to Beijing. She claimed she travelled to China to purchase goods for resale in Nigeria.
In a separate transnational operation, NDLEA’s Special Operations Units tracked a 40ft container containing 195 large sacks of Canadian Loud, a high-grade cannabis strain, for over four weeks. On Wednesday, 23rd June 2026, officers of the Apapa Strategic Command, working with the Nigeria Customs Service and other port stakeholders, recovered 4,959 kilograms of the drug with an estimated street value of Twelve Billion, Three Hundred and Ninety-Seven Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N12,397,500,000). The container, which also carried a Ford and a Nissan vehicle, had been under surveillance since 25th April 2026 after leaving Toronto by truck, transiting Montreal by rail, Tanger Med, Morocco, and arriving Tincan Port Lagos on 4th June before moving to Apapa on 22nd June.
NDLEA operatives in the FCT and Anambra also uncovered a syndicate that conceals illicit drugs in the luggage of unsuspecting passengers at motor parks. On Saturday, 20th June, a Sienna bus from Nnewi was intercepted at Abaji, FCT, where 467.7 grams of methamphetamine was found hidden inside a waybill package in a sack of clothes with the receiver’s number. Follow-up operations led to the arrest of the supposed receiver, Mrs. Gloria Peter, at Utako Motor Park. Her denial triggered the arrest of the bus loaders in Nnewi, one of whom implicated the driver, Abdurrazak Isah, who in turn named passenger Onyebuchi Victor Okoye as the owner. Onyebuchi was arrested at Utako.
Other seizures include the arrest of 57-year-old Ikechukwu Uwakwe on Saturday, 27th June, at Iddo Motor Park, Lagos, with 209.50kg of Scottish Loud cannabis heading to Enugu. On Sunday, 21st June, two Benin Republic nationals, Hossou Tito Julien, 30, and Mancellim Dossou, 19, alongside Nigerian Jackson ThankGod, were arrested on Mile 2 Bridge with 558,900 pills of Tramadol 250mg concealed in a fabricated compartment of a truck from Togo via Benin Republic.
On Friday, 26th June, Lucky Abonga and Osas Azamobo were arrested along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway with 118kg of skunk concealed among goods in a truck from Ebute Ero, Lagos Island, bound for Onitsha. The same day, Helen Ese Idiji, 40, and Rashidat Sa’adullah, 53, were arrested at 15 Olumokun Street, Amukoko, Lagos, with 28.8kg of skunk. Investigations revealed Helen stored her consignments with Rashidat for distribution.
Alongside enforcement, NDLEA Commands sustained War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, sensitization across the country. Lectures were held for students and staff at Government Girls Science Secondary School, Damaturu, Yobe; Adesalu Primary School, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos; Government Girls Secondary School, Badawa, Kano; School of Science and Islamic Studies, Ankpa, Kogi; and Community Secondary School, Ezimo, Udenu LGA, Enugu, among others.
Commending the MMIA, Special Operations Units, Apapa, FCT, Anambra, and Lagos Commands, NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa, Rtd, CON, OFR, said the balance of supply reduction and demand reduction reflects the Agency’s comprehensive strategy. He urged officers to maintain the tempo.
Conclusively, from airport terminals to port complexes and motor parks, the week’s operations demonstrate NDLEA’s capacity to detect sophisticated concealment, trace cross-border shipments, and disrupt domestic networks that endanger innocent travellers. The seizures and arrests send a clear signal that Nigeria’s borders, ports, and transit points remain hostile territory for narcotics traffickers.
Signed
Femi Babafemi
Director, Media & Advocacy
NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja
Sunday, 28th June 2026