The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has recorded a major breakthrough in its fight against drug trafficking, intercepting multiple consignments of illicit substances cleverly concealed in everyday items at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport and a Lagos-based courier firm.
The seizures, which included drugs hidden in carton walls, winter jackets, and containers of body cream, highlight the increasingly sophisticated methods employed by trafficking syndicates. Authorities confirmed that the intercepted shipments were bound for international destinations, including Italy and New Zealand, underscoring Nigeria’s continued role as a transit route in the global drug trade.
Arrests and Seizures at Lagos Airport By NDLEA
NDLEA operatives at the Lagos airport carried out targeted operations that led to the arrest of two suspects linked to outbound drug consignments. One of the suspects, Friday Ehianuka, was apprehended on March 20 while attempting to board an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Rome. A search of his luggage revealed 2,698 pills of tramadol concealed within containers of skin-lightening body cream.
Investigators disclosed that the suspect, who resides in Milan, admitted he was to be paid in euros upon successful delivery of the drugs. In a separate operation, Christian Agbonhese was intercepted on March 18 while preparing to board a Lufthansa flight to Milan. Authorities recovered 28,470 opioid pills hidden inside two large winter jackets, including significant quantities of tramadol and tapentadol.
At a courier facility in Lagos, NDLEA officers uncovered additional consignments, including one kilogram of a potent cannabis strain known as “Loud,” shipped from the United States. Another package destined for New Zealand contained 158 grams of methamphetamine concealed within the walls of a carton, further illustrating the ingenuity of traffickers.
NDLEA Nationwide Operations Yield Major Recoveries
Beyond Lagos, NDLEA operations extended across several states, resulting in substantial seizures and arrests. In Kano State, two suspects were apprehended with a combined 198 kilograms of skunk in separate raids, marking one of the largest recoveries in the region.
Lagos also recorded significant enforcement activity, with 21,737 bottles of codeine-based syrup recovered during a raid in the Otto, Ijora area. Additionally, two suspects were arrested on the Third Mainland Bridge with 8,380 bottles of the substance. In Edo State, operatives uncovered 97.5 kilograms of skunk at a residence in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area.
Further operations in the Federal Capital Territory led to the interception of a commercial bus along the Gwagwalada Expressway, where 91,840 tramadol pills were found hidden in vehicle compartments. Similar enforcement actions in Oyo, Kaduna, Taraba, and Adamawa states resulted in the seizure of large quantities of narcotics, including over 586,000 opioid pills along the Kaduna-Zaria highway.
NDLEA Intensified Campaign Against Drug Abuse
In addition to enforcement, the NDLEA has intensified its War Against Drug Abuse sensitisation campaigns nationwide. The agency reported increased outreach in schools, religious centres, and local communities, aiming to curb both the demand and supply of illicit substances.
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Buba Marwa, commended officers involved in the operations, urging them to maintain momentum in the ongoing crackdown. He emphasised the importance of sustained vigilance and community engagement in tackling the growing challenge of drug trafficking and abuse across Nigeria.
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