The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted large consignments of cocaine, tramadol, and other illicit drugs ingeniously concealed in everyday items such as vehicle mirrors, lipsticks, and footwear, following a coordinated series of operations across Nigeria.
The agency’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, revealed in a statement on Sunday that the seizure occurred at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos.
The intercepted shipment, bound for Libreville, Gabon, contained 57,420 tramadol pills (225mg) and 57 cocaine pellets (1.6kg) hidden inside 71 vehicle side mirrors.
The initial bust on July 19 led to the arrest of cargo agent Ihekweme Osinachi Benedict.
Further investigations tracked the supply chain to Uzochukwu Godspower Chukwurah, whose residence yielded another 11 parcels of cocaine weighing 1kg, bringing the total cocaine haul to 2.6kg across 68 parcels.
In a separate Lagos operation, NDLEA arrested Mrs. Nwafor Roseann Nneka, a businesswoman at the Trade Fair Complex in Ojo, for attempting to export cocaine and phenacetine concealed inside ladies’ lipsticks.
The shipment, traced to a July 10 consignment headed for Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, was linked to her. Her husband and alleged accomplice, Remigus Nwafor, is currently on the run.
Two cargo agents associated with the lipstick shipment were also arrested earlier in the investigation.
In Abuja, NDLEA operatives arrested three dispatch riders; Sabo Sule (24), Samuel Nnamdi (28), and Idris Jibrin (28), while delivering 149.8 grams of Canadian Loud, a high-grade cannabis strain, in Gwarimpa, Jahi, and Galadimawa.
Two other suspects were arrested along the Abaji-Gwagwalada Expressway with 91.1kg of skunk.
Nationwide operations yielded further arrests:
Lagos:
Joseph Michael nabbed in Mushin with 3.3kg of Colorado (a synthetic cannabinoid).
Ibrahim Sulaiman caught in Yaba with 16.5 litres of skuchies (a homemade psychoactive drink).
Benue:
Hussein Yusuf (37) arrested with 100,000 tramadol capsules at a checkpoint.
Edo:
233.5kg of skunk seized from a warehouse in Ekpoma; William Alabi (44) arrested.
Borno:
At Maiduguri Airport, Umar Aminu (38) caught with 160 tramadol pills hidden in shoes.
Ogun:
Yahaya Aminat Seyi found with 7,218 opioid pills in Oja Odan.
Oyo:
77.5kg of skunk seized from Oladeji Saka in Ibadan.
Delta:
Benson Izah (40) arrested in Abraka with skunk, tramadol, and 14.4 litres of codeine syrup.
Bayelsa:
Chief Emeka Opara (52) and Onuoha Chidinma (25) caught in Amassoma with 41,705 tramadol capsules.
Kano:
Bashir Gambo (30) caught with 61kg of skunk.
Osun:
Kabiru Ayinde (40) and Roqeeb Adekanmbi (25) arrested in Ile-Ogbo, Iwo, with 90kg of skunk, 36.3 grams of methamphetamine, a Toyota bus, and ₦228,200 in cash.
Beyond enforcement, NDLEA also intensified its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization campaigns.
Activities were carried out in schools, worship centers, motor parks, and royal palaces, including a courtesy visit to the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdurasheed Adewale Akanbi.
Commending the dedication of officers across state commands and international airports, NDLEA Chairman/CEO, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) urged continued professionalism and a balanced strategy in combating drug trafficking and substance abuse.
