NDLEA Dismantles N3.4bn Drug Network In Nationwide Crackdown

….Seizes 6.4 Million Opioids, 163,638 Bottles Of Codeine, Others

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Sunday said over 6.4 million opioids and 163,638 bottles of codeine syrup intended for distribution across Nigeria were confiscated within eight days.

An analysis of the agency’s report revealed that operatives also seized 41.634kg of cannabis, 942 explosives, 104 grams of tramadol and skunk, as well as 2,800 ampoules of pentazocine injections during the raids.

The arrests took place across Kaduna, Kano, Edo, Anambra, Niger, and Lagos State, where the highest number of suspects were apprehended during the period under review.

According to the NDLEA, a portion of the illicit drugs valued at over ₦3.4bn were found in the possession of one of the 19 suspects arrested.

The agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, said the operation began on Saturday, April 26, 2025, when NDLEA operatives arrested a 52-year-old wanted drug kingpin, identified as Dominic Chiegozie Obijiaku, Managing Director of Ovidaq International Ltd.

Obijiaku was apprehended after a 10-month investigation into his role in the importation of 2,616,060 pills of tramadol 225mg, intercepted by the NDLEA at Apapa Seaport in Lagos on July 28, 2024.

A follow-up search at his Lekki residence led to the recovery of 51 wraps of Canadian Loud, weighing 34 grams.

On Monday, April 28, officers from the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation (DOGI) thwarted an attempt to ship 104 grams of tramadol and skunk, concealed in bottles of body cream, to Iraq via a courier company in Lagos.

Barely 24 hours later, the agency reported its biggest seizure during the operation.

It said, “During a joint examination of a watch-listed container at the Port Harcourt Ports Complex, Onne, Rivers State, NDLEA officers working with the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies intercepted two million pills of tafrodol 225mg and 163,000 bottles of codeine syrup.”

That same day in Lagos, “1,500,000 pills of a controlled opioid were recovered at the Alaba-Rago area of Ojo from a suspect, Olarenwaju Wahab.

“Further investigation led operatives to Q104B Road 25, Victoria Garden City, Lekki, the residence of Obinna Kenneth, who is now at large.”

“On Wednesday, April 30, NDLEA operatives at the import shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos, intercepted 42 parcels of Canadian Loud, weighing 20kg.

“The packages had arrived from Canada onboard a British Airways flight and were concealed in tins of chocolate, Milo beverage, and beans.

“Three suspects, including the receiver, Monsurat Ewawunmi Lawson, were arrested between that date and Saturday, 3rd May.”

“Also on April 30, five members of a syndicate led by Aminu Musa (a.k.a. Kadagi) were arrested at Dangoro Market, Kano, with 50 blocks of skunk weighing 21.6kg.

“Subsequently, NDLEA operatives intercepted a Mazda commercial bus, marked XA343TSE, at Agu-Awka junction, Anambra State.

Babafemi said, “They recovered 50,400 capsules of tramadol, 500 tablets of co-codamol, and 300 ampoules of pentazocine injection, arresting a suspect, Chinedu Eneh.”

“A crackdown on Thursday, May 1, in Edo State led to the interception of a white Toyota bus at Uromi, Esan North-East.

“The bus, conveying assorted opioids from Onitsha to Auchi, was found to contain.

“314,020 pills of tramadol, rophynol, diazepam, and exol5; 638 bottles of codeine syrup; and 200 ampoules of pentazocine injection.”

The suspect, Dare Adeyemo, was arrested during the operation.

On Friday, May 2, Bobby Morris Osas, a businessman, was arrested at the Lagos airport while attempting to board a Turkish Airlines flight to Italy.

A search of his luggage uncovered “8,130 pills of tramadol in 225mg, 200mg, and 100mg dosages”, the operatives revealed.

“The operation climaxed on Saturday, May 3, when NDLEA operatives on patrol along the Kaduna-Zaria expressway intercepted a commercial vehicle en route from Nasarawa to Zamfara State.

“A search revealed 942 explosives concealed in a sack, leading to the arrest of 30-year-old Nura Sani Muhammad (alias Nura Hariji).”

“Also on May 3, officers in Niger State, patrolling the Kontagora-Mokwa road, stopped a Mitsubishi Canter truck, marked RBH 104 ZY.

“The search led to the recovery of 5,500 capsules of tramadol and 2,300 ampoules of pentazocine injection. The driver, 30-year-old Yusuf Abubakar, was arrested,” Babafemi revealed.

According to the report, no convictions have been recorded, as all cases remain under investigation.

However, the NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), directed that “all suspects and exhibits be transferred to the appropriate agencies for further action”.

NDLEA Dismantles N3.4bn Drug Network In Nationwide Crackdown is first published on The Whistler Newspaper