NDLEA Seizes N3.4 Billion Worth of Opioids in Lagos, Port Harcourt; Uncovers Drugs in Chocolate Tins

 

In a series of coordinated operations, operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted no fewer than 3.5 million pills of opioids and 163,000 bottles of codeine syrup, with an estimated street value of N3.4 billion, in Lagos and Port Harcourt.

According to NDLEA, the largest seizure 2 million pills of tafrodol 225mg and 163,000 bottles of codeine was made on April 29 during a joint examination of a watch-listed container at the Port Harcourt Ports Complex, Onne. The operation was conducted in collaboration with officers of the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies.

In Lagos, operatives recovered 1.5 million pills of controlled opioids from Olarenwaju Wahab in the Alaba-Rago area of Ojo, on the same day. NDLEA traced the source to Q104B Road 25, Victoria Garden City, Lekki, the residence of Obinna Kenneth, who is now on the run.

At the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Ikeja, Lagos, NDLEA officers intercepted 42 parcels of Canadian Loud a potent strain of cannabis weighing 20kg, cleverly concealed in tins of chocolate, milo, and beans. The consignment arrived on a British Airways flight from Canada. The agency confirmed the arrest of three suspects, including the receiver, Monsurat Ewawunmi Lawson, between April 30 and May 3.

In another case, a businessman identified as Bobby Morris Osas was arrested on May 2 while attempting to board a Turkish Airlines flight to Italy. A thorough search of his luggage revealed 8,130 pills of tramadol in various dosages.

On April 28, an attempt to ship 104 grams of tramadol and skunk concealed in body cream containers to Iraq was also thwarted by the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation (DOGI).

In Kaduna, NDLEA officers on patrol intercepted a commercial vehicle along the Kaduna-Zaria expressway on May 3, recovering 942 explosives concealed in a sack. A 30-year-old suspect, Nura Sani Muhammad (alias Nura Hariji), was taken into custody.

Reacting to the seizure, NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), directed that the suspect and exhibits be handed over to the appropriate security agency.

Further arrests included five members of a syndicate led by Aminu Musa (a.k.a Kadagi), apprehended on April 30 in Dangoro Market, Kano, with 50 blocks of skunk weighing 21.6kg.

In Edo State, NDLEA intercepted a Toyota bus transporting assorted opioids from Onitsha to Auchi, recovering 314,020 pills of various drugs, 638 bottles of codeine syrup, and 200 ampoules of pentazocine. A suspect, Dare Adeyemo, was arrested.

In a similar operation, officers in Anambra State intercepted a Mazda commercial bus at Agu-Awka junction, recovering 50,400 capsules of tramadol, 500 tablets of co-codamol, and 300 ampoules of pentazocine injection. One Chinedu Eneh was arrested.

In Niger State, patrol officers intercepted a Mitsubishi canter truck along Kontagora-Mokwa road, recovering 5,500 capsules of tramadol, 2,300 ampoules of pentazocine, and arresting a suspect, Yusuf Abubakar, aged 30.

In a major breakthrough after 10 months of investigation, NDLEA operatives arrested a wanted drug kingpin, Dominic Chiegozie Obijiaku, the 52-year-old Managing Director of Ovidaq International Ltd, in connection with the importation of 2.6 million pills of tramadol seized in July 2024 at Apapa seaport, Lagos. A follow-up search of his Lekki residence led to the recovery of 51 wraps of Canadian Loud weighing 34 grams.

Meanwhile, NDLEA’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy campaign continued nationwide, with sensitization lectures delivered at Al-Istigama University, Kano and Government Girls Junior Secondary School, Kankia, Katsina State, among others.

Commending the efforts of his officers, Gen. Marwa praised the NDLEA teams from DOGI, MMIA, Lagos, Kano, PHPC, Kaduna, Anambra, Edo, Niger, and Apapa for their dedication.

“The arrests and seizures of the past week are a testament to our unwavering commitment to dismantling drug networks across the country,” said Gen. Marwa. “I applaud all commands for maintaining the delicate balance between drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts.”