NDLEA Arrests Lagos Socialite and Drug Kingpin, Alhaja Ajoke Elediye

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have made a significant breakthrough with the arrest of a notorious drug kingpin, Alhaja Aishat Feyisara Ajoke Elediye, a 61-year-old Lagos socialite, on January 1, 2025. The arrest followed the interception of a truckload of illicit drugs linked to her operations. Popularly known as “Iya Ruka” in the underworld, Elediye had evaded capture for years while operating as the leader of a powerful drug cartel in Mushin, Lagos.

Acting on credible intelligence, NDLEA officers intercepted a white Izuzu truck carrying 44 jumbo sacks of imported cannabis weighing 1,540 kilograms. The truck, driven by one of her staff, Abideen Adio, led officers to Elediye’s mansion on Adebayo Oyewole Street, Okota, where she was apprehended. Publicly, Elediye maintained the façade of a legitimate businesswoman importing fabrics and shoes from China. However, her role as the head of a thriving drug empire has now been exposed. She also holds a prominent position as the “Iyalaje” of Blessing Sisters, a Lagos social club for influential women.

Nollywood Filmmaker Nabbed in Drug Smuggling Ring

In a separate operation, NDLEA officers arrested Emeka Emmanuel Mbadiwe, a US-trained filmmaker and motivational speaker, for his involvement in smuggling a large cannabis shipment. The arrest took place in a Lekki hotel room on December 27, 2024, following the detention of his partner, Uzoekwe Ugochukwu James, at a warehouse in Ajao Estate, Ikeja.

The investigation revealed that Mbadiwe had directed James to collect 33 parcels of Loud, a potent cannabis strain, weighing 17.30 kilograms. The shipment, concealed in large wooden boxes, had arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, from the United States on December 24, 2024. NDLEA’s meticulous efforts in tracing the shipment led to the filmmaker’s capture. Mbadiwe’s dual identity as a filmmaker and motivational speaker underscores the alarming trend of seemingly legitimate individuals concealing criminal activities.

Raids Across Nigeria: Drug-Laced Cupcakes, Ex-Convicts, and More

The NDLEA also carried out successful operations in other states, exposing the diverse tactics employed in the drug trade. In Kwara State, 24-year-old graduate Khadijat Abdulraheem and Ayomide Morakinyo, a 20-year-old student at the University of Ilorin, were arrested on December 29, 2024. The duo had been producing and selling drug-laced cupcakes to students in Ilorin. A search of their residence yielded 42 pieces of the illicit cakes.

Meanwhile, in Lagos, operatives rearrested Sodade Sunday Eniola, an ex-convict who had been prosecuted for drug trafficking in June 2024. Despite serving time and paying a fine of N750,000, Eniola returned to criminal activities and was caught for passport racketeering. These arrests highlight the NDLEA’s commitment to eradicating drug-related crimes across Nigeria, as well as the need for stiffer penalties to deter repeat offenders.

NDLEA Intercepts 52 Passports Concealed in Food Items, Arrests Syndicate Members

In a series of meticulously planned operations in December 2024, operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) intercepted a shipment containing no fewer than 52 passports of various nationalities at the export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos. The concealed documents, destined for Canada, Russia, and other countries, were ingeniously hidden in shoe soles and food items to evade detection.

Further investigations uncovered the involvement of three syndicates in the racket, leading to the arrest of four suspects: Sodade Sunday Eniola, Ayinde Saheed Awwal, Salaudeen Afeez Ayode, and Sheriff Adebayo Bamigbade. On December 30, 2024, the NDLEA handed over both the exhibits and the suspects to the Zonal Command of the Nigerian Immigration Service in Lagos for further investigation and potential prosecution. This operation underscores NDLEA’s commitment to tackling organized crime and safeguarding Nigeria’s borders.

Record Drug Seizures in Port Harcourt and Kano

In another significant operation, NDLEA officers at the Port Harcourt Ports Complex in Onne, Rivers State, confiscated 316,800 bottles of codeine-based syrup on December 31, 2024. Acting on credible intelligence, the agency collaborated with the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies to conduct a joint examination of two suspicious containers. The successful seizure highlights the efficiency of intelligence-driven operations in curbing the illegal drug trade.

Meanwhile, in Kano, NDLEA operatives raided the Mafarki, Dan Dishe area of Dala Local Government, recovering 149,090 pills of tramadol and exol-5 from a local drug dealer, Ismail Muhammad. The 45-year-old suspect’s arrest demonstrates the agency’s commitment to eradicating illicit drugs at the grassroots level. These operations reflect NDLEA’s intensified efforts to dismantle drug distribution networks across the country.

Sustained Efforts in Drug Abuse Sensitization

Beyond enforcement, NDLEA continues to advance its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign through sensitization programs targeting diverse communities. Last week, the agency organized educational sessions for traders at Ido-Osi Central Market in Ekiti State and engaged Muslim faithful during Juma’at prayers at Birnin Kudu Central Mosque, Jigawa State. These initiatives aim to promote awareness of the dangers of drug abuse and foster community participation in the fight against illicit drugs.

Commending the officers and commands involved, NDLEA Chairman/CEO Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) emphasized the importance of a balanced approach to drug supply and demand reduction. He lauded the operational successes of the MMIA, Lagos, Kano, Port Harcourt Ports Complex, and Kwara Commands, stating that their dedication underscores the agency’s unwavering resolve to build a drug-free Nigeria.