The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intensified its clampdown on drug trafficking networks, arresting two Brazil returnees, a businesswoman, and several others in a string of coordinated operations that also led to the interception of massive consignments of illicit substances across multiple states.
NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, disclosed on Sunday that 46-year-old Ofoma Sunday, who arrived in Lagos from Brazil via Addis Ababa on September 16, was placed under observation at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) after a body scan revealed drug ingestion. He later excreted 111 wraps of heroin weighing 1.45kg. A follow-up sting at a hotel in Amuwo Odofin led to the arrest of Nweke Jude Chukwudi, who was billed to receive the consignment.
In a related operation, another Brazil returnee, Ukachukwu Frank Ikechukwu, was nabbed during inward clearance of Ethiopian Airlines passengers from São Paulo on September 19. He excreted five wraps of cocaine weighing 145 grams while under observation.
The agency also apprehended a businesswoman, Okolonkwo Ebere Theresa, on September 14 after aviation security operatives at MMIA Terminal 2 discovered 1.40kg of methamphetamine concealed in butt-pad underwear as she attempted to board a Qatar Airways flight to Doha.
Further interceptions at the airport included 40 wraps of methamphetamine (2.3kg) concealed in food items bound for Hong Kong. A 59-year-old suspect, Umelo Ifeanyi Venatus, was arrested. Similarly, cocaine weighing 257 grams was intercepted at a Lagos courier company, hidden inside seven phone chargers headed for New Zealand.
Beyond Lagos, NDLEA operatives carried out sweeping raids across five states:
- Adamawa: 233,800 pills of tramadol seized in Yola South, Jimeta, and Namtari checkpoint.
- Zamfara: 109 bags of cannabis skunk weighing 1,099kg seized from a truck along Gummi–Daki Takwas road.
- Edo: Two cannabis farms covering four hectares, estimated at 11,000kg yield, destroyed in Owan West LGA, alongside 148kg of processed cannabis. Three suspects arrested.
- Taraba: 25.5kg of cannabis seized from a suspect in Bali LGA.
- Yobe: 14,000 capsules of tramadol intercepted along Damaturu–Potiskum road.
Meanwhile, NDLEA has sustained its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization programs in schools, religious centres, and communities across Sokoto, Katsina, Jigawa, Benue, and Kano states.
Commending the successful operations, NDLEA Chairman, Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), said:
“These arrests and seizures represent a significant milestone in our determined effort to dismantle drug trafficking organizations operating within and outside Nigeria. We remain focused on protecting our communities, especially the youth, from the harmful effects of illicit substances.”
