NDLEA Dismantles Cross-Border Drug Syndicates, Arrests Six Kingpins

After months of rigorous intelligence operations and meticulous surveillance, Nigeria’s National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) successfully disrupted two prominent cross-border drug syndicates. Six masterminds, including a software engineer and a Chadian national, were apprehended across several states. This operation led to the recovery of vast quantities of cocaine, opioids, and other psychoactive substances with a street value worth billions of naira.

The syndicates, with deep roots in Lagos, Adamawa, and Anambra, reportedly supplied narcotics to terror groups in Nigeria and Cameroon. NDLEA’s intensive intelligence gathering revealed that these cartels operated sophisticated smuggling networks, utilizing hidden compartments in vehicles for transportation. This victory underscores NDLEA’s renewed commitment to combating drug trafficking across Nigeria’s borders.

Key Arrests: Leaders of Syndicates and Seizure of Major Hauls

Among those arrested were Ibrahim Bawuro and Najib Ibrahim, central figures in a syndicate responsible for transporting tramadol from Onitsha to the North and across Nigerian borders. Their arrest on October 8 along the Jalingo-Yola expressway followed a high-speed pursuit, during which they abandoned their vehicle loaded with 276,500 tramadol pills. Ezeh Amaechi Martin and Nelson Udechukwu Anayo, key suppliers within the syndicate, were subsequently arrested in Delta and Anambra states.

Adejumo Elijah Ishola, another syndicate leader, was arrested at Seme border while attempting to smuggle cocaine and synthetic cannabis from Ghana. This arrest marked a significant milestone in NDLEA’s efforts to intercept cross-border drug supplies aimed at infiltrating Nigerian communities.

Major Drug Seizures in Lagos and Abuja

The crackdown extended to Lagos, where NDLEA operatives intercepted 31.75 million tablets of Voltron, a potent opioid, concealed within a shipment at Apapa Seaport. This shipment, imported from India, was falsely labeled as diclofenac tablets. The operation, conducted in collaboration with Customs and other agencies, disrupted a substantial distribution of opioids.

In a separate incident at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, NDLEA operatives thwarted an attempt by Olu Marshal, a software engineer from Lekki, to collect a parcel containing 700 grams of Loud, a potent cannabis strain. His arrest and the search of his home unearthed drug paraphernalia, highlighting the involvement of educated professionals in the drug trade.

Further Seizures Across Kwara, Plateau, Kano, and Ondo States

Operations across various states uncovered massive quantities of drugs, particularly opioids and cannabis. In Kwara, NDLEA seized 162,800 pills of tramadol, diazepam, and codeine from suspects in Ilorin and Bode Saadu. Meanwhile, Plateau State operatives apprehended two individuals with 141 kg of cannabis, and a Chadian national was captured with 3,000 tramadol tablets along the Zaria-Kano road.

In a raid on Edo and Ondo states, large caches of cannabis were seized, including 1,078 kg from Edo’s Okhuokhuo-Isi forest and 4,908 kg from a residence in Akure. These operations underscore the geographical spread and intricate networks utilized by drug cartels to evade detection while supplying illegal drugs.

WADA Sensitization Campaign Reaches New Heights Nationwide

Beyond enforcement, NDLEA has intensified its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative, reaching communities, schools, and institutions nationwide. Sensitization events were held at several educational institutions and palaces, including Park Royal College in Lagos and the palace of the Oba of Benin. The WADA campaign, which includes advocacy visits to key community figures, emphasizes preventive education as a strategy to curb drug abuse among Nigeria’s youth.

NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended the agency’s officers for their dedication in recent operations and urged citizens to support anti-drug advocacy. The agency’s multi-pronged approach—combining enforcement with education and community engagement—signals its commitment to creating a drug-free Nigeria.

Chairman’s Commendation: Recognizing NDLEA’s Dedication and National Impact

NDLEA’s success in these operations is attributed to the commitment of officers from diverse departments, including Apapa, MMIA, and several state commands. Brig. Gen. Marwa praised the dedication of these operatives in not only executing arrests and seizures but also reinforcing the agency’s message of drug-free communities through WADA outreach.

As NDLEA continues to ramp up its anti-drug efforts, public awareness and community involvement remain central to its strategy. The agency’s ongoing commitment is expected to fortify Nigeria’s stance against drug trafficking and foster a safer environment for all citizens.