Metro

NDLEA Intercepts N6.5bn Worth Of Opioids At Lagos, Rivers Ports

Published

1 month ago

May 25, 2025

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted six million pills of opioids — including tamol 225mg, tapentadol 225mg, and carisoprodol 225mg — along with 332,000 bottles of codeine-based cough syrup, with a total street value of ₦6.52 billion at the Port Harcourt Ports Complex, Onne, Rivers State, and Apapa Seaport, Lagos.

NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi disclosed that the seizures followed intelligence reports and the tracking of new trafficking routes by drug cartels, prompting the agency to place certain containers under 100% examination.

“The consignments at the Port Harcourt ports — six million pills of opioids and 162,000 bottles of codeine syrup — were uncovered in two containers on May 19 and 20 during a joint examination by NDLEA, Nigeria Customs, and other security agencies,” Babafemi stated.

At the Apapa Port, an additional 170,000 bottles of codeine syrup were discovered in a watch-listed container during a joint examination on May 22.

Arrest of Two British Nationals and Nigerian Accomplices

At the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, NDLEA operatives arrested two British nationals — Mhizha Jordan Alexander Tatendra and Ayedipe Andrew Adejuwon — along with two Nigerians, Shonowo Oluwaseun Imole and Ofuoma Omokaro Ayobami, for attempting to smuggle 92 bags of Loud (a strong cannabis strain) weighing 51.10kg into Nigeria.

Tatendra, who flew in on a Qatar Airways flight from Doha on May 15, was allowed to pass security and was tracked to the car park where he was met by Adejuwon and the others in an SUV. NDLEA operatives swooped in as they attempted to exit, recovering the drug consignment from the vehicle.

Tatendra confessed to being promised £1,300 for delivering the drugs. Adejuwon, described as the syndicate leader, had flown into Nigeria from South Africa via Ghana the previous day. A follow-up search at their Lekki residence uncovered:

₦3,810,500 cash

An Apple laptop, iPhone 14 Pro Max, and four nitrous oxide canisters

Massive Skunk Destruction and Seizures Nationwide

In Cross River State, NDLEA destroyed 75,000kg of skunk on 30 hectares of cannabis farms in Esuk-Odot, Odukpani LGA, and recovered an additional 200kg on May 22.

In Edo State, 1,957.5kg of skunk were destroyed in Ovia South West and Owan West LGAs on May 23 and 24.

In Nasarawa State, NDLEA arrested two suspects — Sunday Daniel (51) and Abu Peter (30) — after intercepting 4,000kg of skunk concealed under unprocessed wood in a truck at Keffi on May 24. Another suspect, Godwin Obi (39), was nabbed with 154.5kg in Karu on May 21.

Other Arrests and Seizures

Kaduna: 22-year-old Muhammad Hamza caught with 57,750 pills of tramadol and diazepam on Kaduna–Zaria highway, May 21

Bauchi: Usman Muhammad (45) arrested with 80 blocks of skunk (45kg) on Bauchi–Misau road

Yobe: Adum Muhammed (29) intercepted with 55 parcels of Colorado (2kg) en route to Chad through Ngamboru Ngala border

Niger: Adams Ayibakro arrested with 235 blocks of compressed cannabis (97kg) on Mokwa–Jebba road

Lagos: Raids in Osapa London, Lekki led to the arrest of Jonathan Isa with multiple drugs including cocaine, meth, molly, and codeine. Another raid in Idasun, Ibeju-Lekki netted Olamilekan Idowu with 48kg of skunk

WADA Advocacy Continues Nationwide

As part of its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign, NDLEA conducted sensitization programs in:

Adamu Babbale Government Secondary School, Katsina

Mary Hanney Secondary School, Oron, Akwa Ibom

Nnodo Secondary School, Abakaliki, Ebonyi

Government Secondary School, Guyuk, Adamawa

Government Girls Islamic Secondary School, Gwagwarwa, Kano

In Lagos, NDLEA paid an advocacy visit to Sarkin Fulani of Lagos, Alhaji Muhammadu Bambado.

NDLEA Boss Commends Officers

Chairman/CEO Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd.) commended the officers and men of the NDLEA Commands in Port Harcourt, Lagos, MMIA, Nasarawa, Cross River, Edo, Niger, Kaduna, Yobe, and Bauchi for their impressive performance. He also praised efforts in both drug supply reduction and demand reduction across the country.

Metro

Police Declare Two Wanted Over Attack On Ahoada-East LGA Administrator, Theft

Published

14 hours ago

July 6, 2025

Editor

The Rivers State Police Command has declared two top officials of the Ahoada-East Local Government Area wanted over their alleged involvement in the brutal attack on the LGA’s Sole Administrator, Hon. Goodluck Iheanachor.

Declared wanted are Mr. Hector Ekakita, Chief Security Officer (CSO) of Ahoada-East LGA, and Mr. Aloni Olodi, Chief of Staff (COS) of the LGA.

In a statement issued on Sunday by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, the police said the duo is wanted for alleged criminal conspiracy, stealing, assault occasioning harm, and attempted murder. The offenses stem from a violent incident that occurred on June 20, 2025, at the Ahoada-East Council Secretariat.

According to the statement, Ekakita and Olodi, alongside a group of about 30 others, allegedly conspired to assault the Sole Administrator, inflicted injuries on him, forcibly obtained his signature under duress, stole his mobile phones and sensitive documents, and carted away both personal and official property from his office.

The police revealed that despite repeated invitations, the suspects have failed to appear for questioning, prompting the declaration.

“The Rivers State Police Command has declared the following individuals wanted… Mr. Hector Ekakita – Chief Security Officer (CSO), Ahoada-East LGA, and Mr. Aloni Olodi – Chief of Staff (COS), Ahoada-East LGA,” the statement read.

“Their actions resulted in bodily harm to the administrator, who continues to receive medical treatment.”

The Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga A. Adepoju, psc, mnips, has urged the suspects to report to the Police State Headquarters on Moscow Road, Port Harcourt, without further delay.

He also warned that anyone found aiding or shielding the suspects would face the full weight of the law.

“The Rivers State Police Command remains steadfast in its commitment to justice and maintaining public peace and safety,” the statement concluded.
(VANGUARD)

Metro

10 Die In Ogun Night Bus Crash

Published

19 hours ago

July 6, 2025

Editor

No fewer than 10 persons have been confirmed dead, while three others sustained injuries in a lone crash involving a Mitsubishi bus on the Ijebu-Ode–Ibadan Expressway.

Mr Babatunde Akinbiyi, spokesperson for the Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE) in Ogun, confirmed the incident in a statement on Sunday.

Akinbiyi said the accident occurred at about 8:30 p.m. on Friday at Ome Bridge, Awa, along Ijebu-Ode–Ibadan highway in Ijebu North Local Government Area.

He stated that the lone crash involved a Mitsubishi bus, registration number EJ829-LSR, which was conveying 15 passengers at the time.

According to Akinbiyi, seven male and three female passengers died. Three others were injured, while a toddler and one adult escaped unhurt.

He said preliminary findings indicate that overspeeding and wrongful overtaking led to the accident.

“Eyewitnesses said the driver wrongly overtook another vehicle at high speed and could not regain control after noticing an oncoming vehicle.

“The driver veered off the road, hit an abandoned gravel pile beside the bridge, and plunged the vehicle into the river,” Akinbiyi explained.

He said the deceased were taken to Ijebu-Ode General Hospital’s morgue, while the injured were also being treated at the same facility.

The spokesperson urged motorists to avoid speeding and to refrain from travelling at night, stressing the importance of road safety at all times.

Metro

NDLEA Detains Couple, 2 Daughters For Alleged Drug Running

Published

20 hours ago

July 6, 2025

Editor

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Sunday said it has arrested and detained a businessman, his wife and two daughters over alleged drug peddling.

A statement by the NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, in Abuja, stated that a family friend of theirs was also taken into custody.

Babafemi said that this came after an investigation revealed that the family ran a major illicit drug distribution network in Lagos involving a family friend.

“The couple was first arrested on Friday, June 13, by operatives of the Department of State Security (DSS) in Ojo area of the state and transferred to NDLEA along with 277.5kg of skunk.

“While they were still being investigated in custody, credible intelligence revealed that the family business was going on in his house.

“This led to a raid of their home and a packing store where 231kg of the same substance was recovered on Tuesday, July 1.”

Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos, on Wednesday, July 2, intercepted a frequent flyer for drug trafficking.

Babafemi said that the suspect specialised in conveying goods for customers from Nigeria to Italy and vice versa.

“He was found to have hidden 7,660 pills of tramadol 225mg and 200mg inside food items packed among other goods he was conveying to Italy.

“He claimed that he was to be paid the sum of 800 euros upon successful delivery of the drug consignment in Italy,” he said.