Metro

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

Published

12 months 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

Ex-convict Arrested In Edo For Armed Robbery, Possession Of Firearm

Published

17 hours ago

May 5, 2026

Editor

The Edo State Security Corps (ESSC) has arrested a 45-year-old ex-convict, Owen Osas, for alleged unlawful possession of firearms and suspected involvement in a robbery incident.

Osas was reportedly arrested with a cut-to-size single-barrel gun during a covert operation along Fishpond Road in Eyean, Uhunmwonde Local Government Area.

The arrest reportedly comes barely a year after he was released from prison, where he had served time for illegal possession of firearms and other criminal offences.

Osas, who confessed to the latest crime, also admitted to being a member of the Eiye Confraternity.

READ ALSO:Tragedy As Suspected Kidnappers Kill Young Entrepreneur In Edo
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Consequently, a victim of an alleged robbery incident, Reginia Izy, identified Osas as the person who robbed her a day before his arrest.
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The victim narrated that the suspect had approached her residence around 8 p.m., pretending to be familiar before carrying out the attack.
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‎The Deputy Commander Operations of ESSC, Richard Balogun, said the arrest was part of intensified efforts to rid Edo State of criminal elements.

READ ALSO:Edo South Senatorial Seat: Nothing Wrong Seeking Wike’s Support – Ogbeide-Ihama
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‎Balogun explained that operatives conduct both overt patrols and covert operations to track and apprehend suspects.
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He said, ‎“Our men are always on patrol. Some operate in plain clothes as part of covert strategies, while others are stationed at strategic locations.

“Osas, who is a former convict, was arrested with firearms and he also confessed to be a member of the Eiye Confraternity.”
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Metro

Gunmen Kidnap Businessman In Ibadan

Published

2 days ago

May 4, 2026

Editor

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted a 60-year-old man in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The victim was kidnapped on Saturday while on his way to his residence.

The incident occurred at Jinarere, Alakia in Ibadan.

Public Relations Officer of the State Police command, Olayinka Ayanlade, when contacted, confirmed the incident.

Ayanlade in a statement made available to DAILY POST on Sunday, explained that efforts are ongoing to rescue the victim.

Ayanlade said, “Preliminary information reveals that the victim, a 60-year-old male and building materials trader, was accosted while returning home along the Jinarere axis of Alakia Road by four masked armed men, who forcefully whisked him away in an unregistered ash-coloured Toyota Corolla vehicle”.

Metro

Tragedy As Suspected Kidnappers Kill Young Entrepreneur In Edo

Published

3 days ago

May 3, 2026

Editor

A 30-year-old entrepreneur and CEO of Principle Takeout, Justice Abu Oshioke, has been killed by suspected kidnappers in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State.

He was reportedly attacked by the suspected kidnappers on Saturday while on his way to pick up an order made for his child’s dedication on Sunday morning.

Eyewitnesses said the attackers attempted to force him into a nearby bush in a kidnapping attempt. However, he reportedly resisted and tried to escape.

In the course of the struggle, the assailants opened fire, shooting him multiple times.

Concerned residents quickly rushed him to a nearby medical facility, but he was confirmed dead on arrival.

The deceased was said to have recently gotten married and welcomed a baby boy.

The tragic event has turned a joyous occasion into a moment of grief for the family.

The shocking development has left the Ekpoma community in deep sorrow, with many residents expressing outrage over the growing insecurity in the area.

Edo State Police Command’s spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem confirmed the incident and said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika has ordered a “full-scale investigation and intensified manhunt for those responsible.”

According to her, the Police, in collaboration with the military, local vigilantes, and hunters, are actively pursuing the perpetrators through coordinated operations.