NDLEA Intercepts U.S. and Europe-Bound Drug Consignments Concealed in Shoe Soles and Hair Attachments

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has made significant seizures of narcotics destined for the United States, United Kingdom, Cyprus, and Oman. Operatives intercepted opioids ingeniously hidden in the soles of shoes and hair attachments at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, and at three courier companies. In a major bust on October 12, NDLEA officers seized 2,118 tramadol pills hidden within the soles of 13 pairs of shoes bound for Cyprus. In a follow-up operation on October 24, officers arrested the sender, Okenwa Kelvin Uchenna, in Enugu, recovering an additional 380 tablets, cash amounting to N968,880, and a Toyota Avalon vehicle.

Further inspections at three courier firms on October 24 yielded additional narcotics, including 293 ampoules of promethazine and pentazocine injections, as well as 1.690 kilograms of cannabis and tramadol. These consignments, intended for various countries, highlight the increasing creativity of traffickers and the challenges faced by NDLEA operatives in curbing narcotics trafficking in Nigeria.

Seaports Yield Over N16.6 Billion in Opioids and Synthetic Drugs

The NDLEA’s collaboration with Nigerian Customs and other security agencies at Lagos and Port Harcourt ports resulted in substantial drug seizures. Over 26.25 million tramadol pills and 508,400 bottles of codeine-based syrup, valued at N16.6 billion, were seized during a joint examination conducted on October 22 and 23. The agency also recovered 10 million Toradol Benzhexol tablets and 28 drums of methamphetamine weighing 700 kg.

In another significant interception, 56 parcels of “Loud,” a synthetic strain of cannabis weighing 28 kg, were recovered from a container arriving from Canada. One suspect, Tsolaye Eburajolo, was apprehended in Lagos in connection with this shipment. The NDLEA retained a N10 million bribe offered to secure his release as evidence in his prosecution. The agency’s vigilance at Nigeria’s ports underscores its commitment to eradicating large-scale narcotic operations within the country.

Shrine and Underground Storage Raids Recover 2,760 kg of Narcotics

NDLEA agents raided a notorious Igbo-Igunuko shrine located at Alfa Beach, Ajah, Lagos, on October 25, uncovering 2,760 kg of Ghanaian Loud cannabis. During the raid, two suspects, Gbenga Abiodun and Sunday Abiodun, were apprehended. The same day, Ademola Oyelakin was caught with 770 kg of cannabis along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.

A raid on a residence at Lekki Phase 1 on the same day revealed an underground storage area containing 11,786 pills of tramadol, molly, rohypnol, diazepam, and 64 bottles of codeine syrup. The suspect, Muhammad Warnos Abdullahi, had concealed the drugs beneath his bedroom floor, further covered by an iron slate, a rug, and a mattress to prevent detection. These seizures underline the evolving methods used by traffickers and the extensive measures NDLEA employs to dismantle illegal drug operations.

Drug Trafficking Crackdown Extends to Plateau, Abuja, and Osun States

Beyond Lagos, NDLEA’s anti-drug efforts have expanded to other regions. In Plateau State, Fadan Bindom, 39, was detained on October 23 in possession of 65.85 kg of cannabis and tramadol. Another suspect, Sunday Agbata, was arrested in Jos with 5,830 tablets of diazepam and bromazepam. On October 21, a major distributor in Abuja, Umar Muhammed, 40, was apprehended following the discovery of a 198.5 kg cannabis consignment linked to him at Wuse market park.

In Edo State, NDLEA officers seized 640 kg of cannabis concealed in vegetable bags at Ewu junction, while in Osun State, 200 blocks of cannabis weighing 133 kg were intercepted in Ile-Ife. The agency’s operations, extending from major cities to remote villages, signify a nationwide crackdown on illicit drugs.

NDLEA Expands Community Outreach in Drug Abuse Awareness Campaigns

In addition to its enforcement activities, NDLEA has intensified its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign, targeting communities, schools, and workplaces across Nigeria. Recent outreach efforts included sensitization lectures at Government Girls Secondary School in Sokoto, St. Mary College in Awka, Anambra, and Prime Rose Model Private College in Saki, Oyo State. The WADA program also engaged local leaders and youth groups in Adamawa, promoting awareness of the risks associated with drug abuse.

NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) commended the agency’s officers for their dedication and the successes recorded. He emphasized the importance of a balanced approach that focuses on both reducing drug supply and raising awareness about the dangers of drug abuse. The NDLEA’s comprehensive approach has proven effective in addressing Nigeria’s drug crisis through both enforcement and preventive measures.