NDLEA Uncovers Illicit Drugs Hidden in Full-Body Mannequins, Arrests Repeat Offenders Nationwide

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has recorded major breakthroughs in its ongoing crackdown on illicit drug trafficking, uncovering narcotics concealed in full-body mannequins and arresting multiple suspects across several states. The coordinated operations, which spanned Akwa Ibom, Edo, Oyo, Adamawa, Taraba, and Niger states, led to the seizure of large quantities of cannabis strains, tramadol capsules, and other controlled substances, reinforcing the agency’s resolve to disrupt drug supply chains nationwide.

The discoveries, made through intelligence-led raids and routine patrols, also exposed the persistence of repeat offenders, including an octogenarian previously convicted for drug trafficking. NDLEA officials described the arrests as a reflection of intensified surveillance and improved operational coordination among commands across the country.

Mannequins and Repeat Offenders: Akwa Ibom Operations Expose New Tactics

One of the most striking seizures occurred in Akwa Ibom State, where NDLEA operatives intercepted a businessman travelling with full-body mannequins ostensibly meant for a clothing business. Upon inspection, the mannequins were found to be stuffed with tramadol pills weighing 5.3 kilograms. The suspect, identified as 37-year-old Ani Onyebuchi Romans, reportedly purchased the opioids in Onitsha, Anambra State, and was allegedly trafficking them to Cameroon for sale.

In a separate operation within the state, NDLEA operatives arrested 80-year-old Jeremiah Isaiah Nkanta, a known drug dealer who had previously served a two-year prison sentence for a similar offence. Acting on credible intelligence, officers tracked him to his residence in Mmanta–Abak village, where 5.7 kilograms of skunk, a strain of cannabis, were recovered. Officials described the arrest as a reminder that age and prior convictions do not deter determined traffickers.

These Akwa Ibom operations highlighted evolving concealment methods and the persistence of illicit networks, prompting NDLEA officials to reiterate their commitment to sustained intelligence gathering and border surveillance.

Multi-State Raids Yield Large Seizures and High-Profile Arrests

In Oyo State, coordinated raids across Ibadan and surrounding areas led to the arrest of several suspected drug dealers and the recovery of assorted cannabis strains, including Colorado, Scottish Loud, Ghana Loud, Canadian Loud, and skunk. Among those arrested was 45-year-old Remi Bamidele, popularly known as “Aluko the Mafia,” from whom over 10 kilograms of drugs and two vehicles were recovered. Additional arrests in Adegbayi and Ring Road areas yielded further quantities of narcotics and over ₦1.3 million in cash exhibits.

Edo State operations resulted in the arrest of a dispatch rider and two accomplices in Benin City, linked to the seizure of Canadian Loud and Colorado. Other arrests across the state, including in Irrua and Ubiaja, led to the recovery of more cannabis substances, underscoring the widespread nature of drug distribution networks.

Meanwhile, in Niger, Taraba, and Adamawa states, NDLEA operatives intercepted thousands of tramadol capsules and large quantities of skunk. Notably, in Adamawa State, nearly 31,000 tramadol capsules were recovered from a suspect’s residence following his arrest at Yola airport, demonstrating the scale of pharmaceutical drug abuse and trafficking in the region.

NDLEA Sustains Enforcement and Drug Abuse Prevention Campaigns

Beyond enforcement, the NDLEA continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation programmes across the country, engaging students, community youths, and religious institutions. Recent outreach activities were held in Jigawa, Kano, and Ebonyi states, among others, as part of efforts to address drug demand alongside supply reduction.

Commending the officers involved in the successful operations, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), praised the dedication and professionalism of the agency’s personnel. He noted that the balance between aggressive enforcement and sustained public education remains central to the agency’s strategy in combating drug abuse and trafficking nationwide.