The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested Prophet Adefolusho Aanu Olasele, founder and General Overseer of The Turn of Mercy Church, over his alleged role in coordinating large-scale cannabis shipments from Ghana to Nigeria.
Olasele, who also goes by the alias Abbas Ajakaiye, was apprehended on Sunday, August 3, 2025, at his church in Okun Ajah, Lekki, Lagos, after months on the run. According to NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, operatives laid in wait throughout the day and moved in immediately after the conclusion of the church’s evening service.
The arrest followed two major drug seizures linked to Olasele earlier this year — 200kg of cannabis recovered at Okun Ajah Beach on June 4, and a further 700kg intercepted in his delivery van on July 6. Investigators say the cannabis, known as “Ghana Loud,” was ferried via waterways from Ghana.
“In his statement, the suspect admitted to transporting the illicit consignments from Ghana into Nigeria,” Babafemi confirmed. “He fled to Ghana in June after evading arrest twice, before finally returning and being tracked to his church.”
The NDLEA also conducted several other successful operations last week. In Lagos, on August 7, agents raided an apartment in Parkview Estate, Ikoyi, arresting one Benjamin Ukoh and recovering 15.63kg of Canadian Loud.
In Nasarawa State on August 9, officers intercepted 3,093kg of skunk from three suspects — Emmanuel Asoquo Johnny, 51; Okem Raphael, 33; and Chekwube Odo, 25 — in New Karu. In Kano, 29-year-old Nura Yahaya was caught with 359kg of skunk on August 8, while Umar Adamu Umar, 27, was arrested on August 6 along the Zaria-Kano road with 9kg of Colorado, a synthetic cannabis strain.
In Gombe State, NDLEA operatives seized 550,266 opioid pills during a raid in Tudun Wadan Pantami on August 8, arresting Usama Isah. The following day, Ibrahim Adamu, 23, was intercepted with 50,000 tramadol capsules in Bajoga.
Meanwhile, in Edo State on August 6, a Toyota Hiace bus traveling from Onitsha to Isanlu, Kogi, was stopped at Ewu junction, leading to the discovery of 23,940 tramadol capsules, 1,100 tablets, and 400 pentazocine ampoules. The driver, Taiye Jethro, was arrested.
NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd), praised the officers for their coordinated efforts and urged all personnel to continue striking a balance between enforcement and preventive drug control strategies.
