The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intensified its crackdown on drug trafficking, arresting multiple suspects in Kano and Lagos in a series of operations between March 14 and March 20, 2025.
The raids led to the seizure of large quantities of heroin, tramadol, skunk, codeine syrup, and other illicit substances.
Amid these operations, NDLEA Chairman, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), raised concerns over a growing trend where drug cartels recruit white women and foreign nationals to smuggle illicit drugs through Nigeria’s borders.
His statement followed the arrest of a 42-year-old Indian woman, Ms. Neetu Neetu, at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano, where NDLEA operatives intercepted 72 parcels of heroin disguised as chocolates.
The 11kg heroin consignment was found inside her luggage during a thorough search at the airport’s arrival hall. She had arrived on Qatar Airways flight QR1431 from Bangkok, Thailand, via Vietnam and Doha.
The bust was based on processed credible intelligence.
He said, “The arrest of Neetu signifies a growing attempt by drug trafficking organisations to hire white ladies and foreign nationals to move illicit drugs through the Nigerian borders, a bid that vigilant NDLEA operatives have consistently frustrated with the aid of modern technological tools and proactive intelligence”.
In a separate operation, Khadijah Abdullahi, 40, was arrested in the Lungun Bulala Yalwa area of Kano with 424 bottles of codeine-based syrup on March 18, 2025.
On the same day, NDLEA operatives in Lagos arrested Isah Idris in Apapa with a stash that included 4.5kg of skunk, 600 grams of tramadol 225mg, and 30 litres of codeine syrup.
Meanwhile, another suspect, Yahaya Mohamed, was arrested in Ikotun, Lagos, with different quantities of cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine.
NDLEA operatives in Kano on March 19, 2025, apprehended 40-year-old Sunday Ogar, at Gunduwawa with 27kg of skunk (a potent strain of cannabis).
Between March 18 to 19, 2025 NDLEA officers arrested Olumuyiwa Kolawole and Samod Adisa with 67.5kg of skunk In Mushin, Lagos state.
Another 100.8kg of the same substance was recovered from the store of two fleeing suspects in Anifowoshe, Mushin.
Acting on intelligence, operatives intercepted a 45-year-old suspect, Michael Ogundele, at Gadar Tamburawa, along Zaria-Kano Road.
Ogubdele was caught transporting a 50-litre steel gas cylinder suspected to be used for smuggling illicit drugs, on Thursday, March 20, 2025.
The agency said welding tools were used to cut open the cylinder, revealing 50,000 pills of tramadol 225mg concealed inside.
Commending the officers of MAKIA, Lagos, and Kano Commands for their dedication, Marwa, praised the agency’s balanced approach to drug supply and demand reduction across Nigeria.
He urged operatives to remain relentless in their fight against drug trafficking, in a statement signed by the NDLEA Director, Media & Advocacy Femi Babafemi on Sunday.
