In a major breakthrough against transnational drug trafficking, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled two powerful cocaine syndicates responsible for six UK-bound shipments, arresting their alleged leader and five other key members in a series of coordinated operations across Lagos and other states.
The three-week intelligence-driven crackdown culminated in the capture of Alhaji Hammed Taofeek Ode, a self-styled businessman and estate developer who recently returned to Nigeria after 27 years in Europe. Ode confessed to ownership of one of the intercepted consignments, estimated at over ₦150 million, according to NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi.
The agency’s operation began on September 16, 2025, when officers at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, intercepted 174 parcels of cocaine weighing 13.40kg hidden inside cocoa butter body cream containers. The arrest of a cargo agent at the airport led investigators directly to Ode and his associates.
Subsequent raids between September 26 and October 2 revealed additional shipments of cocaine concealed in hair cream containers, stainless cups, and crayfish packages, weighing a total of 7.1kg. Those apprehended included Smith David Korede, a furniture maker linked to several consignments, and suspects Ogunbiyi Oluseye Taiwo and Popoola Francis Olumuyiwa.
In a separate operation, NDLEA foiled an attempt to smuggle 6.3kg of “Loud”, a potent strain of cannabis, into Lagos from Thailand, cleverly concealed within bedsheets and hibiscus flowers.
The nationwide enforcement drive also led to multiple seizures and arrests, disrupting drug networks in several states:
- Kano: A joint NDLEA–Customs operation intercepted 290,450 pills of tramadol and pregabalin from suspect Sa’adu Ali.
- Lagos: Officers arrested a notorious dealer known as “SammyBless” with 550g of Colorado in Lekki. Additionally, 109kg of skunk and 20 bottles of codeine syrup were seized in Mushin.
- Kwara: 27,700 tramadol pills were recovered from Salisu Abubakar.
- Kaduna: Over 532kg of skunk was seized, with suspects arrested in Kudandan and along the Kaduna–Zaria highway.
- Ogun: 112kg of skunk and tramadol were confiscated in Isheri.
- Osun: A 14,000kg skunk plantation was destroyed in the Owena/Ijesha forest reserve.
- Edo: NDLEA destroyed 10,897.35kg of skunk on four farms and seized 244.5kg in Igbanke.
- Kogi & Abuja: Interceptions of Loud and Colorado resulted in arrests in Okene, Gwagwalada, and Abaji.
NDLEA Chairman Brig-Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (Rtd) hailed the operations as a significant victory in the fight against drug trafficking and abuse.
“These successful operations should serve as a warning that NDLEA will not relent until the menace of substance abuse and illicit trafficking is eliminated,” Marwa declared, praising the “tenacity, professionalism, and balanced approach” of the agency’s personnel.
Alongside the enforcement actions, NDLEA intensified its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign with sensitization programs in schools, markets, worship centers, and workplaces across states including Adamawa, Katsina, Niger, Lagos, and Imo, reinforcing its mission to curb drug abuse through both enforcement and education.
