By Ameh Gabriel
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has made a string of major drug trafficking interceptions across Nigeria, including the seizure of cocaine and tramadol concealed in vehicle side mirrors at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.
This was contained in a statement signed on Sunday 3rd August 2025 by Femi Babafemi Director, Media & Advocacy NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja
According to the statement, the illicit shipment, consisting of 57,420 pills of tramadol (225mg) and 57 pellets of cocaine (1.60kg), was uncovered on Saturday, July 19, 2025, en route to Libreville, Gabon aboard Air Côte d’Ivoire. A total of 71 vehicle side mirrors were used in an attempt to hide the narcotics.
Following the discovery, a known cargo agent, Ihekweme Osinachi Benedict, was arrested. Subsequent investigations led to the apprehension of Uzochukwu Godspower Chukwurah, from whose residence an additional 11 parcels of cocaine (1kg) were recovered on Monday, July 21, raising the total weight of seized cocaine to 2.60kg across 68 parcels.
Lipstick Cocaine Seizure Leads to Arrest of Businesswoman in Lagos
In a related case, NDLEA operatives arrested Mrs. Nwafor Roseann Nneka, a businesswoman at the Trade Fair Complex, Ojo, Lagos, on Friday, August 1. Her arrest followed the earlier seizure of 100 grams of cocaine and 300 grams of phenacetine, concealed in ladies’ lipsticks, destined for Malabo, Equatorial Guinea.
Two cargo agents linked to the shipment were earlier taken into custody. Mrs. Nwafor confessed to purchasing the lipsticks used in the concealment, while her husband and accomplice, Remigus Nwafor, remains at large.
Dispatch Riders Nabbed for Drug Distribution in Abuja
NDLEA also made arrests in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, on Wednesday, July 30, where three dispatch riders Sabo Sule (24), Samuel Nnamdi (28), and Idris Jibrin (28) were caught distributing 149.8 grams of “Canadian Loud,” a potent cannabis strain.
On Saturday, August 2, two other suspects, Aliyu Abubakar (25) and Adekunle Agbabiaka (30), were intercepted along the Abaji-Gwagwalada expressway with 91.1kg of skunk.
Nationwide Drug Busts and Seizures
In Mushin, Lagos, Joseph Michael was caught with 3.3kg of Colorado (a synthetic cannabis), while Ibrahim Sulaiman was arrested in Yaba with 16.5 litres of “skuchies” on August 1.
In Benue State, a checkpoint along Vandeikya-Ogoja Road led to the seizure of 100,000 tramadol capsules from Hussein Yusuf (37).
In Ekpoma, Edo State, NDLEA raided a warehouse, arrested William Alabi (44), and recovered 233.5kg of skunk.
In Maiduguri, Borno, Umar Aminu (38) was arrested with 160 tramadol pills hidden in footwear at the Muhammadu Buhari International Airport on August 1.
In Ogun State, Yahaya Aminat Seyi, a female suspect, was arrested at Oja Odan with 7,218 pills of tramadol.
In Oyo State, Oladeji Saka (54) was caught in Ibadan with 77.5kg of skunk.
In Delta, Benson Izah (40) was arrested in Abraka with 12.5kg skunk, 1kg tramadol, and 14.4 litres of codeine.
In Bayelsa, a joint operation in Amassoma led to the arrest of Chief Emeka Opara (52) and Onuoha Chidinma (25) with 41,705 tramadol capsules and other opioids.
In Kano, Bashir Gambo (30) was found with 61kg skunk in Tudun Wada LGA.
In Osun State, on July 28, Kabiru Ayinde (40) and Roqeeb Adekanmbi (25) were arrested in Iwo town with 90kg skunk, 36.3 grams of methamphetamine, a Toyota bus, and ₦228,200 in cash.
Nationwide WADA Campaign Continues
Meanwhile, NDLEA’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign continued with outreach to schools, worship centers, and
