Marwa: NDLEA officers’ welfare ‘ll continue to be my priority

By: Michael Mike

Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd) has said he will continue to make the welfare of his officers, men and women priority to ensure that they are physically and mentally fit to carry out their responsibility of curbing the scourge of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in the country.

Marwa, who gave the assurance on Monday during a brief ceremony to commission a state-of-the-art fitness centre for the agency’s personnel at its headquarters in Abuja, said his decision to build the gym reinforces his commitment to the health, strength, and overall well-being of officers , men and women of NDLEA, which is in line with President Bola Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda.

He highlighted the significance of the facility in ensuring that officers remain physically and mentally fit to tackle the enormous responsibilities of combating the menace of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking.

According to him, “the fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking is not just a battle of intelligence and strategy—it is also one that demands physical endurance, agility, and resilience. The nature of our work places extraordinary demands on our bodies and minds. From long hours of surveillance and enforcement operations to high-risk engagements, we must always be in top form to protect our society from the dangers of illicit drugs”

He said regular exercise must not be seen as a luxury but a necessity, adding that “a fit officer is a more effective one who can withstand stress, react swiftly in the field, and make sound decisions under pressure. Beyond operational readiness, fitness also promotes overall health, reducing the risk of lifestyle related diseases and enhancing mental sharpness.

“This fitness centre is more than just a gym; it is an investment in our most valuable asset—our people. This is why we hope to replicate similar facilities across zonal and state commands as funds become available. Therefore, I urge every personnel of the Agency within Abuja to take full advantage of this facility. Let it not be a mere structure but a place of daily transformation, where we strengthen not only our muscles but also our resolve to serve with excellence.”

He urged officers to see the commissioning of the facility as a reminder that their work requires them to be at their best physically, mentally, and professionally. “As we commission this centre today, let it serve as a constant reminder that our work requires the best version of ourselves physically, mentally, and professionally. Together, let us continue to build an NDLEA that is strong, resilient, and ever-ready to fulfill its mandate.”

Marwa: NDLEA officers’ welfare ‘ll continue to be my priority

NDLEA arrests fleeing auto spare parts dealer over 77.50kg cocaine, phenacetin seizure

By: Michael Mike

An automobile spare parts dealer Levi Ubodoeze have been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) barely three weeks after a manhunt was launched for him over a recent attempt to export two kilogrammes of cocaine concealed in vehicle propellers to Angola.

A statement by the spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi on Sunday read: Following the seizure of the cocaine consignment at a logistics company in Aspanda, Trade Fair Complex, Ojo area of Lagos on 21st February 2025, swift contacts were made with Angolan authorities who in turn arrested the supposed recipient of the illicit drug in Angola, after which the identity of the sender was unraveled.

He said this resulted in NDLEA operatives tracking Ubodoeze to his house in Ago palace way area of Isolo, Lagos where he was caught in a KIA Sport Utility Vehicle trying to escape last Thursday.

According to Babafemi, a search of the vehicle led to the recovery of a large quantity of phenacetin, a cutting agent for cocaine weighing 75.5 kilogrammes packaged and branded as semolina, while a digital scale used in weighing illicit drugs was recovered from his house.

The NDLEA spokesman said in his statement, Ubodoeze admitted dealing in cocaine while selling motor spare parts at Ladipo market, Mushin area of Lagos. He stated that the supposed recipient of the illicit consignment in Angola alerted him the moment he was arrested in Angola hence his bid to evacuate his house and flee from the area shortly before NDLEA officers swooped on him.

In another clampdown, NDLEA operatives at the import shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos have intercepted a cargo of cannabis candies imported from the United Kingdom and meant for sale at a Kiddies Mart, located at 46 Ogunlana drive, Surulere, Lagos.

The consignment, according to Babafemi, was seized on 27th February upon its arrival as a consolidated cargo on Allied Airways. He said preliminary field test and subsequent forensic analysis of the candies established that the substance was laced with a strong strain of cannabis, and as a result, the recipient of the shipment, Adedamola Taylor, was arrested last Tuesday after initial arrest of a freight agent.

Babafemi said in his statement, Adedamola claimed the consignment was sent to him by his UK-based brother Babatunde Alabi, to deliver to one Musurat Lawal, who operates the Kiddies shop owned by Alabi in Surulere area of Lagos. A follow up operation at the shop led to the arrest of Musurat.

Two suspects: China Michael and Igbo Ekene were arrested last Friday when their commercial truck was intercepted by NDLEA operatives at Shibiri area of Ojo, Lagos. A search of the vehicle revealed 248 compressed blocks of Ghanaian Loud, a strain of cannabis, weighing 128 kilogrammes were concealed in the underbelly of the truck.

In another interdiction operation in Lagos, three suspects: Osinachi Nwachukwu; Tochukwu Okafor and John Mbakwe were last Friday arrested at Mosalasi junction, Mushin, with 301,600 pills of tramadol and other opioids.

In Kano, 65-year-old Yahaya Haruna was nabbed with 19.2 kilogrammes skunk along Gadar Tamburawa road last Thursday while 60-year-old Musa Bello (a.k.a Jajere) was arrested with 212 bottles of codeine-based syrup at Medile, Kumbotso local council area.

No fewer than 442,594 pills of tramadol and other opioids as well as 1,274 bottles of codeine syrup were recovered by NDLEA operatives who raided the house and warehouse of a 37-year-old suspect, Blessing Okoronkwo at 19 Ubani Street, Aba, Abia state last Tuesday.

In Benue state, 50,000 pills of tramadol and exol-5 were recovered from two suspects: Nwaeze Onyeabor, 47, and Tombo Thomas, 23, last Wednesday when their vehicle was intercepted by NDLEA operatives at Ugbema junction, Katsina Ala area of the state.

In Osun state, a suspect, Asimiyu Muibi, 50, was arrested on last Tuesday with 162 kilogrammes skunk at Modakeke, Ife East local government area while 95 kilogrammes of same substance was recovered from a Toyota Camry car marked KSF 72 GW during a raid in Ede same day.

A suspect, Etim Stephen, 55, was arrested when NDLEA officers last Wednesday raided the Amahor community forest, in Igueben area of Edo State where 9,514.625 kilogrammes skunk was destroyed on 3.805846 hectares of cannabis farm land.

Babafemi said with the same vigour, commands and formations of the Agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, sensitization activities to schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others in the past week.

Meanwhile, while commending the officers and men of MMIA, Lagos, Kano, Abia, Benue, Osun and Edo Commands of the agency for the arrests and seizures, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd) stated that their operational successes and those of their compatriots across the country especially their balanced approach to drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts are well appreciated.

NDLEA arrests fleeing auto spare parts dealer over 77.50kg cocaine, phenacetin seizure

IHVN Staff Found Dead in Abuja Hotel Room

By: Zagazola Makama

A staff member of the Institute of Human Virology of Nigeria (IHVN), Meshach Thomas Panwal, was found dead in his hotel room at Grand Pella Hotel, Durumi, Abuja, on March 7, 2025.

According to sources, the deceased had checked into Room 224 alongside colleagues attending a seminar. His body was discovered at about 12:00 p.m. by his colleagues, prompting an immediate report to the Durumi Police Division by the hotel’s Chief Security Officer (CSO), Orlando Okpete.

Police detectives visited the scene and conducted preliminary investigations. No marks of violence were found on his body. Among the items recovered from the room were: Various medications in an H-Medix leather bag, an Omron blood pressure monitor and other Personal belongings

Sources revealed that Panwal had complained of a headache the previous day and had gone for medical treatment before returning to his room.

His sudden death has been classified as Sudden and Unnatural Death (SUD) pending further medical certification.

His remains were evacuated to the Federal Medical Center, Jabi, while his brother, Joseph Panwal, an official of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), was notified.

The family, not suspecting foul play, requested the release of the body for burial, which was granted.

IHVN Staff Found Dead in Abuja Hotel Room