Metro

PICTORIAL: NDLEA Busts Trans-border Drug Syndicate, Seizes Tramadol, Meth Hidden In Vehicles

Published

9 months ago

February 16, 2025

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have dismantled a trans-border drug trafficking syndicate, arresting four key members in intelligence-led operations.

The crackdown resulted in the seizure of tramadol pills worth millions of naira hidden in vehicle compartments, methamphetamine disguised as auto spare parts, and other illicit substances across multiple states, including Anambra, Cross River, Nasarawa, Taraba, Ekiti, and Lagos.

This was disclosed in a statement signed by the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, on Sunday.

The statement read: “Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have busted a trans-border drug trafficking syndicate, arresting four members in intelligence-led operations, during which tramadol pills worth millions of naira, concealed in the bumpers and false bottoms of Sienna buses heading to border towns, were recovered.

“Following weeks of intelligence and surveillance operations by operatives of the Directorate of Intelligence in the NDLEA, a Sienna bus marked ABJ 452 HG was intercepted at Nasarawa-Toto Road, Keffi, Nasarawa State, on Tuesday, January 27th, 2025, at 6 a.m. Two suspects, Zahradeen Adamu, 27, and Abubakar Usman, 44, were arrested in the vehicle travelling from Onitsha, Anambra State, en route to Yola, Adamawa State. A second Sienna bus driven by Abba Usman, 48, was also intercepted.

“During a search of the two vehicles, specially constructed steel compartments were discovered after the removal of the back bumper, where a total of 190,960 tramadol pills were concealed, as well as in the space designed to house the spare tyre.

“Investigations revealed that an Onitsha-based dealer, Kingsley Mbaeri, supplied the seized tramadol consignment. A swift follow-up operation led to the arrest of Mbaeri at his Uga Street, Onitsha residence on 29th January. Two vehicles — a Toyota Corolla with registration number FGG 948 MF and a Toyota Sienna bus marked GWA 23 HH — were recovered from his house.”

NDLEA also intercepted a suspect, Chimezie Ojingwa, with 404.47 grams of methamphetamine, 506.49 grams of Loud (a synthetic cannabis strain), and 262.32 grams of dimethyl sulfone (a precursor for meth production) hidden inside a black bag filled with auto spare parts.

The statement continued: “In another interdiction, operatives of the Intelligence Department intercepted a commercial bus coming from Onitsha, Anambra State, at Abaji checkpoint, FCT Abuja, on 4th February. A passenger in the bus, Chimezie Henry Ojingwa, 32, carrying motor spare parts in a black bag, was arrested. When his bag was searched, 404.47 grams of methamphetamine, 506.49 grams of Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, and 262.32 grams of dimethyl sulfone, a precursor for mixing meth, all of which were concealed in the motor parts, were recovered.”

In Cross River State, NDLEA operatives intercepted a truck transporting 170,000 tramadol pills. At the Apapa seaport in Lagos, NDLEA officers recovered 85,400 bottles of codeine-based syrup in a container imported from India.

The statement added: “In Cross River State, NDLEA officers on patrol along Ogoja-Abakaliki Road, Yahe, on Thursday, 13th February, intercepted 170,000 tramadol pills in a truck driven by Paul Chukwudi, 31, while operatives at the Apapa seaport in Lagos on Tuesday, 11th February, recovered 85,400 bottles of codeine-based syrup in a container imported from India.”

Two suspects, Halilu Isa and Gambo Umaru, were arrested in Borno State with 60 compressed blocks of skunk weighing 72 kilograms.

NDLEA operatives also raided a notorious drug joint in Ekiti, arresting three suspects—Bala Muhammed, 57; Yahaya Adamu, 55; and Abdullahi Shehu, 30. The operation led to the confiscation of 83 kilograms of skunk.

The statement continued: “Two suspects, Halilu Isa and Gambo Umaru, were nabbed at Bama Road, Maiduguri, Borno State, on Friday, 14th February, with 60 compressed blocks of skunk, a strain of cannabis, weighing 72 kg. Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives in Ekiti State on Tuesday, 11th February, raided a notorious drug joint at Iloda Street, Ikole-Ekiti, where they arrested three suspects—Bala Muhammed, 57; Yahaya Adamu, 55; and Abdullahi Shehu, 30. A total of 83 kilograms of skunk were recovered from them.”

A 28-year-old woman, Samiat Yussuf, was arrested in Lagos after NDLEA operatives raided her residence in Lekki. The operation led to the seizure of 169.5 litres of nitrous oxide (commonly known as laughing gas) and 111 grams of Loud.

Similarly, in Taraba, officers confiscated 132.84 kilograms of skunk from two suspects during operations in Wukari and Jalingo LGA.

The statement added: “In Lagos, 28-year-old Samiat Olabisi Yussuf was arrested on Saturday, 15th February, by operatives during a raid of her Lekki home, where 169.5 litres of nitrous oxide, popularly known as laughing gas, and 111 grams of Loud were recovered.

“Not less than 132.84 kilograms of skunk were recovered from two suspects, Ibrahim Usman, 40, and Solomon James, 40, in Taraba. While Usman was nabbed with 88 kg of Arizona and Ghana Loud at Wukari, James was arrested with 44.84 kg of the same substance at Takanaba, Sabongari, in Jalingo LGA.”

The NDLEA has reaffirmed its commitment to dismantling drug networks and preventing illicit substances from reaching the streets. The agency continues to intensify its intelligence-driven operations across the country, ensuring that traffickers are brought to justice.

Metro

NDLEA Arrests 39 Suspects With 2,477.59kg In Edo

Published

4 hours ago

November 10, 2025

Editor

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Edo State Command, have arrested thirty-nine (39) suspected drug traffickers with 2,477.59 Kg of narcotic drugs.

Mitchell Ofoyeju, state commander of the NDLEA made this known in a statement titled: operational scorecard for October 2025, which he made available to newsmen in Benin on Monday.

According to the statement, the suspects consist of twenty-seven (27) males and twelve (12) females.

The statement added that, within the period under review, three cannabis sativa farms measuring 6.711192 hectares with an estimated yield of 16,777.98 kg were also destroyed.

A breakdown of the total 2,477.59 kg of seized drugs indicates that Cannabis Sativa 2,476.87 kg; Tramadol 0.3575 kg; Nitrazepam 0.068 kg; Bromazepam 0.8141 kg; Diazepam 0.084 kg; Swinol 0.0036 kg; Danabol (Molly) 0.013 kg; Methamphetamine (abandoned) 0.0465 kg and Codeine Syrup 0.1 litre.

According to the statement, three cannabis farms located in the Ugbodo Forest of Ovia North East Local Government Area, covering an area of 6.71 hectares, with an estimated yield of 16,777.98 kg of illegal crops, were eliminated.

The command’s prosecution unit also made significant strides in the ongoing fight against drug trafficking.

“October saw the conviction of eleven individuals involved in drug-related offences and eleven new cases charged in the courts. Currently, there are 121 pending cases at the Federal High Court in Benin City.

“Our commitment remains steadfast as we continue to enforce the law, educate members of the public, and rehabilitate affected individuals who have problems using drugs.

“The fight against drug trafficking is relentless, and those who continue to engage in this illegal trade will face not only heightened enforcement but also stiffer penalties,” the statement reads.

Metro

Police Rescue Stolen Boy, Arrest Six Over Child Trafficking In Anambra

Published

7 hours ago

November 10, 2025

Editor

The Anambra State Police Command has rescued a three-year-old boy who was stolen in the state and arrested six members of a child-stealing and trafficking syndicate operating across Anambra, Enugu, and Lagos states.

A statement by the Command’s spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga, said that on September 4, following a petition from the victim, operatives attached to the Gender Unit of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Awka, began an investigation into the case.

Ikenga explained that the petition detailed how the complainant’s daughter had left her three-year-old son in the care of one Samuel Ibe of Umusiome, Nkpor Uno, while she briefly went to her shop.

“On her return, both the child and the said Samuel were missing. Swift investigative actions by the operatives led to the arrest of the said Samuel Ibe. His confessional statement subsequently led to the arrest of his mother, Agatha Ejeweh, 35, and his younger brother, Ejeweh Chigozie Chidera, 15,” he said.

He further disclosed that operatives extended their investigation to Enugu State, where one Angela Eze, 30, was apprehended for collaborating with Juliet Onah to facilitate the transfer of the stolen child to Lagos.

“Acting on credible intelligence, the operatives proceeded to Lagos State, where a suspect, China Cosmas, was arrested and the stolen child was successfully rescued. The child has since been reunited with his family in good health,” Ikenga added.

He confirmed that the suspects involved in the crime are currently in custody and will be charged in court upon completion of investigations.

Ikenga reiterated the Command’s commitment to protecting lives and property, warning that criminal elements should not consider Anambra State a safe haven for any form of criminal enterprise.

Metro

Man Dies After Attempting To Flee EFCC Raid In Lekki

Published

22 hours ago

November 9, 2025

Editor

A man identified as Endurance Udeke has died after jumping from a four-storey building durin
g a raid conducted by operatives of Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the Lekki area of Lagos.

The EFCC confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Saturday, saying the operation, which took place on 4 November, targeted suspected internet fraudsters residing at Periwinkle Estate, Lekki Phase 1.

According to the agency, four suspects were arrested during the sting operation, while Udeke and another resident attempted to escape after learning of the EFCC’s presence.

“Udeke and one other resident of apartment W6a got wind of the operation and tried to escape arrest by jumping down from the four-storey building,” the statement read. “Udeke did not survive the suicidal effort, in spite of medical interventions made to rescue him.”

The second individual survived after receiving treatment and has since been stabilised, according to EFCC officials.

The anti-graft agency stressed that its operatives had no physical contact with Udeke before the incident, describing his action as tragic and unnecessary.

“The Commission is shocked at the suicidal action of the deceased. There was no contact between officers of the Commission and the deceased before the unfortunate incident,” the EFCC said.

The agency added that the case has been handed over to the police for further investigation into the circumstances surrounding Udeke’s death.

The EFCC urged the public to remain calm and cooperate during its lawful operations, insisting that its raids are conducted in accordance with due process.

The incident comes amid growing scrutiny of EFCC operations following several controversial raids in recent months.

In September, the agency faced backlash after an early morning operation at a hotel in Lagos led to the arrest of 11 people, including guests not linked to fraud.

Earlier this year, the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Ogun State also accused the EFCC of an unlawful raid on its facilities, demanding ₦3.5 billion in damages and a public apology.

Despite public criticism, the EFCC maintains that its anti-corruption drive remains a key pillar in Nigeria’s efforts to curb cybercrime and illicit financial activities.

While expressing sympathy to the family of the deceased, the Commission reiterated that its operations are conducted lawfully and urged members of the public not to panic or resist EFCC operatives when they act within their mandate.

“While we await the outcome of the investigation, it is important to remind the public that no one with nothing to hide has reason to be afraid of EFCC sting operations,” EFCC noted.