KEY POINTS

• NDLEA seized opioids, codeine, and cannabis worth ₦3.4 billion in Lagos and Rivers, arresting key suspects and pursuing fugitives linked to major syndicates.

• Nationwide operations uncovered exotic concealment methods, including cannabis in food tins and explosives, while disrupting trafficking routes in Kaduna, Kano, and Edo.

• The agency highlighted dual strategies of enforcement and education, with Chairman Marwa commending officers for arrests and community-focused WADA initiatives.

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, intercepted opioids, codeine syrups, and other illicit substances worth over ₦3.4 billion in drug haul raids across Lagos and Rivers states, marking one of the agency’s largest seizures in 2025.

The operation, spanning April 28 to May 3, led to multiple arrests and exposed sophisticated drug trafficking networks.

In Rivers, a joint team with customs officials uncovered “163,000 bottles of codeine syrup and two million pills of tafrodol 225mg” hidden in a container at the Onne Port, according to NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi.

Simultaneously, Lagos operatives raided Alaba-Rago market, seizing 1.5 million opioid pills from suspect Olarenwaju Wahab. Channelstv reports that the stash was traced to a Lekki residence linked to Obinna Kenneth, who remains at large.

NDLEA Nationwide sweep nets drug cartel leaders

The crackdown extended beyond Lagos and Rivers. At Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport, 20kg of Canadian Loud cannabis—concealed in chocolate and bean tins—was intercepted from a Canada-bound flight. Three suspects, including receiver Monsurat Ewawunmi Lawson, were arrested.

In a separate incident, businessman Bobby Morris Osas was apprehended with 8,130 tramadol pills while boarding a flight to Italy.

Kaduna operatives disrupted a potential security threat, seizing 942 explosives hidden in a commercial vehicle en route to Zamfara. NDLEA transferred suspect Nura Sani Muhammad to security agencies for further investigation.

Meanwhile, in Kano, a five-member syndicate was caught with 21.6kg of skunk, while Edo state operatives intercepted a bus laden with 314,020 opioid pills and codeine syrup from Anambra.

A 10-month investigation culminated in the arrest of Dominic Chiegozie Obijiaku, a drug kingpin and CEO of Ovidaq International Ltd., linked to a 2024 tramadol shipment worth ₦1.6 billion. His Lekki home yielded 34 grams of Canadian Loud.

“These efforts reflect our resolve to dismantle drug networks and protect public health,” stated NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), praising officers for balancing supply reduction with advocacy. The agency’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative conducted sensitization lectures in Kano and Katsina schools, emphasizing prevention.