Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have recorded major breakthroughs in nationwide anti-narcotics operations, intercepting cocaine consignments, synthetic cannabis, tramadol and other illicit substances, while arresting several suspects across airports and states in Nigeria.
According to a statement issued on Sunday by the Agency’s Director, Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, a China-based Nigerian businessman and two Angolan nationals were arrested for ingesting cocaine at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, and Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano.
The suspect, Ibeanu Vincent Chukwudulue, 34, was arrested on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, aboard a Qatar Airways flight from Kano to China via Abuja and Doha. Acting on credible intelligence, NDLEA operatives requested that he be deboarded for screening. A body scan confirmed ingestion of illicit drugs. He was placed under observation and later excreted 52 pellets of cocaine weighing 735.95 grams.
In his statement, Chukwudulue said he had been doing business on Lagos Island before relocating to Guangzhou, China, in 2024.
Similarly, two Angolan citizens, Mbandu Martins Makiadi, 50, and Ngoma Wilson Fernando, 52, were intercepted at the Kano airport while attempting to board an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Istanbul, Turkey, via Addis Ababa.
After testing positive during body scans, the suspects were kept under observation. Makiadi excreted 76 wraps weighing 920 grams in seven excretions, while Fernando expelled 108 pellets weighing 1.33 kilograms in five excretions.
The suspects, who hail from Hoji Ya Henda in Luanda, Angola, told investigators they were recruited by an automobile spare parts dealer who promised to pay them $3,000 each upon successful delivery of the drugs in Turkey.
In Lagos, NDLEA operatives also foiled an attempt by a convicted drug trafficker, Olashupo Michael Oladimeji, to export 1.10 kilograms of cocaine concealed in processed cassava granules, popularly known as garri, to London.
Oladimeji, currently serving a five-year prison sentence at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre for drug trafficking, allegedly coordinated the operation from prison using his logistics company. The consignment was intercepted at the export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport. A company staff member, Adedeji Yusuf Gbolahan, who presented the package for export, was arrested.
In another case, a 44-year-old estate surveyor, Adelaja Taiwo Adetayo, was arrested for attempting to export 1.70 kilograms of skunk concealed in five jerry cans to the United Kingdom. A cargo agent who presented the shipment was initially arrested before a follow-up operation led to Adelaja’s arrest in Lagos.
In Abuja, NDLEA operatives intercepted a parcel from Enugu containing a children’s toy guitar used to conceal two parcels of Canadian Loud cannabis weighing 59.2 grams. The owner, Henry Onuma, was later arrested at Life Camp.
Further operations in Lagos led to the raid of a duplex in Ikate-Elegushi, Lekki, used as a factory for producing and storing synthetic cannabis known as Colorado. The raid followed the seizure of 73 cartons of nitrous oxide intended for distribution in Benin City. Two suspects were arrested, while 13.2 kilograms of the illicit substance and precursor chemicals were recovered.
In Ibadan, a suspected drug dealer, Oluwayemisi Bunmi, 45, was arrested with 1.189 kilograms of Colorado, skunk, 320 grams of methamphetamine, cash exhibits of ₦2.97 million, and two vehicles.
Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives in Kwara State intercepted 105,400 pills of tramadol from a suspect during a vehicle search at Bode Saadu.
In Edo State, five suspects were arrested during a raid on a forest hideout in Ovia North-East Local Government Area, where 563.5 kilograms of skunk were recovered.
The agency also intensified its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaign across schools, worship centres and communities nationwide, reaching students and staff in Oyo, Adamawa, Nasarawa, Katsina and Lagos States.
While commending officers involved in the operations, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), urged personnel across commands to sustain the balanced approach of drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts.
