Crime
NDLEA Foils Drug Smuggling Attempts at Lagos Airport, Seizes Large Consignments Across Nigeria
NDLEA Foils Drug Smuggling Attempts at Lagos Airport, Seizes Large Consignments Across Nigeria
By: Michael Mike
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted multiple consignments of illicit drugs concealed in unusual ways, including inside carton walls, winter jackets and body cream containers, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport and a courier company in Lagos.
The anti-narcotics agency also reported major seizures and arrests during coordinated operations across several states including Kano State, Kaduna State, Edo State, Oyo State, Federal Capital Territory, Taraba State and Adamawa State.
According to the spokesman of the agency, Femi Babafemi, desperate attempts by drug trafficking organisations to smuggle opioids and methamphetamine to European countries were thwarted through intelligence-led operations.
He said in a statement on Sunday that at the Lagos airport, NDLEA operatives arrested 37-year-old Friday Ehianuka last Friday,, while attempting to board an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Rome. A search of his luggage uncovered 2,698 pills of tramadol 225mg concealed inside containers of skin-lightening body cream.
Ehianuka, who resides in Milan, was said to have admitted he was promised payment in euros if he successfully delivered the drugs.
In another operation on March 18, NDLEA officers at the departure hall of the airport intercepted Christian Agbonhese, 38, who was preparing to board a Lufthansa flight to Milan. A thorough search of his luggage revealed 28,470 pills of opioids hidden inside two large winter jackets. The seized drugs included 23,150 pills of tramadol 225mg, 4,000 tablets of tapentadol 250mg and 1,320 pills of tramadol 100mg.
Elsewhere in Lagos, NDLEA operatives at a courier firm intercepted two parcels containing one kilogramme of “Loud,” a potent strain of cannabis shipped from the United States to Nigeria. Another parcel containing 158 grammes of methamphetamine concealed in the walls of a carton and destined for New Zealand was also seized.
In Kano, two suspects were arrested on March 18 with large quantities of skunk, a strong cannabis strain. Abdulkadir Mamuda, 35, was apprehended at Dan-Tsalle with 102.5 kilograms of the substance, while Uche Festus, 47, was arrested at Naibawa Gabas with 95.5 kilogrammes.
A raid in the Otto area of Ijora in Lagos led to the recovery of 21,737 bottles of codeine-based syrup, while two suspects — Chidiebere Anigbogu and Paul Nwagbara — were arrested on the Third Mainland Bridge with 8,380 bottles of the same substance.
In Edo State, NDLEA operatives recovered 97.5 kilogrammes of skunk from the residence of Akeem Idde, 37, in Ojah, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area.
Similarly, officers in Abuja intercepted a commercial bus along the Gwagwalada Expressway, recovering 91,840 pills of tramadol hidden inside the vehicle’s body compartments. The driver, 27-year-old Aminu Ali, was taken into custody.
In Oyo State, a suspect identified as Bankole Bari was arrested on March 17 at Oke-Oyan in Ibarapa Local Government Area with 71.2 kilogrammes of skunk believed to have been smuggled into Nigeria from Benin through the Oyan River.
Further seizures were recorded in Kaduna State where NDLEA operatives recovered 586,000 pills of tramadol and Exol-5 from Lawal Anas along the Kaduna–Zaria highway. Another suspect, Musa Shuaibu, was arrested at the same location with 7,290 tablets of tramadol 225mg.
In Taraba State, NDLEA officers intercepted Aliyu Adamu along the Takum–Jalingo highway with 77,660 capsules of tramadol being transported to Gombe State.
Meanwhile, in Yola, six suspects were arrested in connection with the seizure of 82.8 kilograms of tramadol concealed in a truck. Those arrested include Ramatu Aliyu, Jungudo Abdullahi, Najid Abdullahi, Musa Mohammed, Usman Abdulrahim and Musa Mohammed.
Beyond enforcement operations, the NDLEA said it also intensified its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaigns across schools and communities nationwide.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd.) commended officers of the agency’s commands involved in the arrests and seizures. He urged them to sustain the balanced strategy of enforcement and public sensitisation in tackling drug abuse and trafficking across the country.
NDLEA Foils Drug Smuggling Attempts at Lagos Airport, Seizes Large Consignments Across Nigeria
Troops recover 42 rustled cattle, return them to owner in Plateau
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 8, Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP), have recovered 42 cattle rustled by suspected criminals in the Jwak Maitumbi-Sarbot general area of Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that troops responded at about 1:32 p.m. on Sept. 5, 2026, following reports of sporadic shootings by suspected cattle rustlers in the area.
The troops launched a pursuit on two fronts along the suspected escape routes of the criminals.
Faced with pressure from the troops, the rustlers abandoned the cattle and fled towards the Sabon Gari general area.
The troops subsequently recovered all 42 cattle.
Further investigation established that the cattle belonged to Alhaji Hussaini Sale of Dorowa Babuje. The troops contacted him and formally handed over the 42 cattle to him.
The successful recovery underscores the troops’ continued efforts to protect rural communities and prevent cattle rustling in the area.
Troops recover 42 rustled cattle, return them to owner in Plateau
Troops arrest soldier, recover 69 rounds of ammunition in Plateau
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 1, Operation ENDURING PEACE, have arrested a serving soldier and recovered ammunition and other military items during a stop-and-search operation at Babale Checkpoint in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The soldier, identified as 13NA/70/8069 Corporal Legedu Denebari, is serving with 109 Special Forces Battalion, Magumeri, Borno State, under Operation HADIN KAI.
He was arrested at about 8:15 p.m. on Sept. 2, 2026, during routine security checks at the checkpoint.
Items recovered from the soldier included one magazine, 69 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm Special ammunition, two Strike Force ballistic plates, two jack knives, one mobile phone, one power bank, one helmet, a Nigerian Army identity card and two pairs of camouflage uniforms.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the soldier was on pass from his unit to Rivers State with effect from Sept. 2, 2026.
The soldier and the recovered items have been taken into custody for further investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the movement and possession of the ammunition and other military equipment.
The development underscores the importance of ongoing stop-and-search operations by security forces to prevent the unauthorised movement of arms, ammunition and military equipment across the Joint Operations Area.
Troops arrest soldier, recover 69 rounds of ammunition in Plateau
Troops arrest four suspected motorcycle thieves, recover weapons in Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 4, Operation ENDURING PEACE (OPEP), have arrested four suspected motorcycle thieves and recovered three motorcycles and weapons during an operation in Exland Village, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The operation was conducted at about 10:30 a.m. on Sept. 1, following a report on the activities of suspected motorcycle snatchers operating in the area.
Sources said that the troops of Sub-Sector 41 deployed in Exland responded to the report and arrested four suspects at the location.
The suspects were identified as Yusuf Tahiru, 25; Ayuba Aliyu, 23; Anas Usman, 20, also known as “Kurra Berom”; and Ibrahim Muhammad, 20.
Following the arrests, troops conducted a cordon-and-search operation within the suspected area of activity and recovered three motorcycles believed to be connected to the suspects.
The troops also recovered one locally fabricated firearm, one cutlass and one knife during the operation.
The suspects and recovered exhibits have been taken into custody for further investigation and necessary legal action.
The operation forms part of ongoing efforts by Operation ENDURING PEACE to tackle criminal activities, including motorcycle theft and armed crime, and strengthen security across communities in Plateau State.
Troops arrest four suspected motorcycle thieves, recover weapons in Plateau
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