NDLEA operatives intercepted a cocaine shipment hidden in religious books heading to Saudi Arabia and made major drug seizures across Nigeria. Read the full report.
NDLEA Bursts International Drug Syndicates, Uncovers Cocaine in Religious Books, Arrests Suspects Nationwide
In a major crackdown on international drug trafficking, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted multiple illegal drug consignments and made several high-profile arrests across Nigeria between April 13 and 18, 2025.
At a courier company in Lagos on Tuesday, April 15, NDLEA officers from the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation (DOGI) uncovered 500 grams of cocaine ingeniously concealed within 20 religious books bound for Saudi Arabia. The discovery was made during a routine inspection of export cargo.
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The same day, officers at another Lagos courier facility seized 2.8 kilograms of Loud, a potent cannabis variant, hidden in a carton shipped from the United States.
Meanwhile, in Kano, a 22-year-old suspected drug supplier to criminal elements, Muhammad Mohammed, was apprehended while en route to Katsina with 277 ampoules of pentazocine injection strapped to his thigh and private area with tape. Another suspect, Mohammed Abdulrahman Abdulaziz (43), was arrested in the Nasarawa area with 30kg of cannabis skunk.
In Bayelsa State, NDLEA operatives raided a residence on Major General Isaiah Allison Street in Yenagoa, seizing 557.2kg of skunk, 5.6kg of methamphetamine, and 29.8g of heroin. Four suspects Sarimiye Suwa Kurtis, Roland Prosper, Sarimiye Tare Paul, and Fidelis Ugbesla were taken into custody.
Also in Lagos, a delivery van loaded with 1,100kg of skunk was intercepted in Surulere on April 17, leading to the arrest of Ismail Abdullahi, the driver. In Zaria, Kaduna State, NDLEA agents raided the hideout of Ike Ani (30) and recovered 31,950 pills of Tramadol 225mg and Diazepam.
In Kebbi State, a vehicle transporting sacks of charcoal from Benin Republic was found to be concealing 97kg of skunk. Three men—Abubakar Ibrahim (50), Mustapha Aliyu (32), and Bashar Lawali (28)—were arrested.
In the southeast, Okafor Marcel (48) was nabbed with 11.5kg of skunk in Abatete, Anambra State. Similarly, in Osogbo, Osun State, operatives arrested Ajala Mercy (27) after recovering 43 litres of “skushi,” a cocktail of cannabis, opioids, and blackcurrant, from her residence.
Two illicit cannabis farms in Egbeta Forest, Edo State, spanning 1.48 hectares, were also dismantled. Over 3,717kg of cannabis plants were destroyed and 136.5kg of processed cannabis recovered.
At Tincan Seaport, Lagos, Basorun Usman Kayode (40), wanted since 2023 for the importation of 107kg of Loud from Canada, was finally arrested. Another suspect, Dauda Yakubu, allegedly involved in local distribution within the seaport area, was also apprehended.
The agency’s nationwide War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization campaign also gained momentum. Awareness lectures were held in schools, markets, and transport parks across Lagos, Ekiti, Niger, Osun, Cross River, and Anambra States.
Commending the successful operations, NDLEA Chairman/CEO Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) applauded the dedication of officers in Lagos, Kano, Kaduna, Kebbi, Osun, Edo, Zone 13, and Tincan Commands. He emphasized the importance of balancing supply reduction with demand reduction strategies in the country’s fight against illicit drug use.
