Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted a 42-year-old Indian lady, Ms. Neetu Neetu, at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) in Kano for attempting to smuggle 72 parcels of heroin concealed in wafer wraps and packaged as chocolates.
The illicit consignment, weighing a total of 11 kilograms, was seized from Neetu’s luggage following a thorough search based on credible intelligence. The suspect had arrived in Nigeria on Friday, March 14, 2025, via Qatar Airways flight QR1431 from Bangkok, Thailand, transiting through Vietnam and Doha. NDLEA officials flagged her baggage for inspection, leading to the discovery of the heroin cleverly disguised in what appeared to be factory-sealed chocolate packs.
NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), described the arrest as a testament to the agency’s relentless efforts in combating drug smuggling operations. He noted that traffickers are increasingly employing foreign nationals, including white women, to smuggle drugs into Nigeria, but assured that the NDLEA remains vigilant, leveraging modern technological tools and proactive intelligence to frustrate such attempts.
Tramadol Pills Discovered in Gas Cylinder, More Arrests in Kano
In a separate operation in Kano, NDLEA officers on Thursday, March 20, arrested 45-year-old Michael Ogundele for attempting to transport illicit drugs using an unconventional method. Ogundele was apprehended along Zaria-Kano road at Gadar Tamburawa with a 50-litre steel gas cylinder, which was later cut open with welding tools, revealing 50,000 pills of Tramadol 225mg concealed inside.
Further anti-drug operations in the state led to the arrest of Sunday Ogar, 40, at the Gunduwawa area of Kano on March 19. He was found in possession of 27 kilograms of skunk, a highly potent strain of cannabis. Another female suspect, Khadijah Abdullahi, 40, was arrested on March 18 in the Lungun Bulala Yalwa area with 424 bottles of codeine-based syrup.
The NDLEA has reiterated its commitment to tracking and dismantling drug trafficking networks in Kano, a key transit point for drug syndicates operating in northern Nigeria. Officials emphasized that traffickers are continuously adopting innovative means of concealment, but the agency remains steps ahead through intelligence gathering and enforcement.
Lagos Drug Raids Lead to Multiple Arrests and Seizures
The NDLEA also carried out a series of successful drug busts in Lagos, leading to significant seizures of illicit substances and the arrest of several suspects. In Mushin, two suspects, Olumuyiwa Kolawole and Samod Adisa, were arrested with 67.5 kilograms of skunk. Additionally, 100.8 kilograms of the same psychoactive substance were recovered from a storage facility in Anifowoshe, linked to two fleeing drug suspects.
Elsewhere in Lagos, NDLEA officers apprehended Isah Idris in Apapa on March 18 with 4.5 kilograms of skunk, 600 grams of Tramadol 225mg, and 30 liters of codeine syrup. Another major arrest occurred the same day in Ikotun, where Yahaya Mohammed was found with multiple illicit drugs, including cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine.
These operations underscore the NDLEA’s unwavering efforts to disrupt the drug supply chain in Lagos, one of Nigeria’s largest drug markets. The agency has vowed to sustain its crackdowns on traffickers and dismantle drug syndicates operating in the region.
Nationwide Advocacy Campaign to Combat Drug Abuse
Beyond its enforcement activities, the NDLEA has continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative, engaging various communities in drug prevention sensitization programs. Over the past week, the agency conducted awareness campaigns in schools, marketplaces, workplaces, and places of worship to educate Nigerians about the dangers of drug abuse.
Some of the notable institutions that benefited from the WADA campaign include Chrisland School in Ikeja, Lagos; Hakimi Secondary School in Mokwa, Niger State; Marist Comprehensive College in Nteje, Anambra State; Ikole City College in Ekiti State; Government Day Secondary School in Sunane, Sokoto State; and Government Day Secondary School in Jada, Adamawa State.
NDLEA officials highlighted the importance of community involvement in curbing drug abuse, urging parents, teachers, and religious leaders to play active roles in educating young people about the dangers of drug addiction. The agency reaffirmed its commitment to a balanced approach that combines law enforcement with prevention and rehabilitation programs.
NDLEA Chairman Commends Officers, Calls for Sustained Efforts
NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), has lauded the agency’s operatives for their dedication and vigilance in intercepting illicit drugs across the country. He specifically praised the officers of the MAKIA, Kano, and Lagos commands for their latest successes in disrupting major drug trafficking attempts.
Marwa emphasized that the NDLEA’s strategy of balancing drug supply reduction with demand reduction efforts is yielding positive results. He encouraged officers and stakeholders not to relent in the fight against drug abuse and trafficking, assuring them of continued government support.
He further called on the general public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious drug-related activities to law enforcement agencies, noting that collaborative efforts are crucial in sustaining the war against illicit drugs in Nigeria.
The recent arrests and drug seizures by the NDLEA serve as a reminder of the persistent efforts by traffickers to smuggle illicit substances into Nigeria. However, the agency’s proactive intelligence, modern surveillance techniques, and unwavering commitment to enforcement continue to thwart these attempts. With ongoing awareness campaigns and community engagement, the NDLEA remains at the forefront of the fight against drug abuse and trafficking, ensuring a safer Nigeria for all.
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