The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted a Saudi Arabia-bound consignment of drugs concealed in a gallon of palm oil at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano State, as part of a nationwide crackdown on drug trafficking.
According to the agency, a female passenger, identified as Fatimah Ahmad, was arrested on Friday, October 16, during the outward clearance of an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, via Addis Ababa.
The discovery was part of a series of operations conducted by NDLEA operatives across Lagos, Edo, Ondo, Bauchi, Kano and Kaduna states, as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. The operations led to the seizure of thousands of kilogrammes of cannabis, tramadol, opioids and other controlled substances.
NDLEA Uncovers Tramadol Powder at Kano Airport
The NDLEA said the intercepted consignment had been declared as maize starch but was subsequently subjected to a confirmatory test at the agency’s forensic laboratory.
The laboratory analysis reportedly identified the substance as tramadol hydrochloride powder.
The seizure highlights the methods allegedly used by drug traffickers to conceal illicit substances and move them through international travel routes.
NDLEA Seizes 55kg of Canadian Loud at Lagos Port
At the Tin Can Island Port in Lagos, NDLEA operatives discovered 55 kilogrammes of Canadian Loud, a potent strain of cannabis valued at N165 million, on October 12.
The drugs were packed in brown cartons and concealed inside a Toyota Sienna vehicle shipped in a 40-foot container.
In another operation on October 14, operatives raided Idumota Market in Lagos and arrested Elizabeth Chidera Kalu. The agency said officers recovered 10,600 ampoules of diazepam injection and 6,500 tablets of Molly from her store.
The following day, two 35-year-old men, Idowu Daudu and Ahmed Oniyinde, were arrested in Mushin with 59.95 kilogrammes and 61.23 kilogrammes of cannabis, respectively.
NDLEA Recovers 18,000 Tramadol Tablets in Lagos
The agency also reported intercepting a truck carrying illicit drugs along Iyana Oba on October 15, following intelligence about a consignment allegedly originating from Trade Fair Market.
Two suspects, identified as Tajudeen Adeduntan, the loading manager, and his assistant, Azeez Sikiru, were arrested.
A search of the truck reportedly led to the recovery of 18,000 tablets of tramadol 250mg concealed in cartons labelled as Rambo insecticide.
85-Year-Old Woman Among Suspects Arrested in Edo
In Edo State, NDLEA operatives raided Warake, Ivhiaro and Ewe/Irue communities in Owan East Local Government Area between October 15 and 16.
The operations resulted in the arrest of six suspects and the recovery of various quantities of cannabis and other substances.
Among those arrested was 85-year-old Grace Ehimeka, who was allegedly found with 179 kilogrammes of cannabis in Warake. Another suspect, 53-year-old Ayo Aigberadion, was reportedly arrested with 220.8 kilogrammes in Ewe/Irue.
Other suspects were identified as Ali Garba, 57, allegedly found with 5.852 kilogrammes of cannabis; Habib Braimoh, 45, with 100 grammes; Musa Mubid, 35, with two kilogrammes of cannabis, cannabis seeds, tramadol, Swinol and diazepam; and Hope Okoro, 35, with 237 grammes of Canadian Loud.
NDLEA Destroys Cannabis Farm in Ondo
In Ondo State, operatives raided a cannabis farm in the Okemoro Isinbode camp forest on October 17 and destroyed an estimated 7,500 kilogrammes of cannabis cultivated on three hectares of land.
Five suspects were arrested during the operation. They were identified as Asikpo Ekpeyoung, 43; Solomon Okpani, 22; Ubong Friday, 35; Joseph Friday, 22; and Ekenimi Seth, 35.
The agency said operatives recovered 92 bags of cannabis weighing 1,267 kilogrammes, 11 kilogrammes of cannabis seeds and three kilogrammes of fresh cannabis stems. The total weight of the recovered exhibits was put at 1,281 kilogrammes.
In a separate operation in the Owo area of the state on October 16, operatives tracked 53-year-old Okunebe Ndidi to a hideout in Ameyinti, where they reportedly recovered 25 bags of cannabis weighing 375 kilogrammes.
Nearly 895,000 Pills Recovered in Bauchi
In Bauchi State, NDLEA operatives intercepted a Volkswagen Golf wagon driven by 35-year-old Shamsu Garba at Ragwam village in Katagum Local Government Area on October 14.
A search of the vehicle reportedly led to the recovery of 894,800 pills of tramadol capsules and Exol-5 tablets.
On the same day, officers patrolling the Bauchi-Gombe Road recovered 291 blocks of cannabis weighing 265 kilogrammes from an abandoned vehicle at Tudun Natsira village.
NDLEA Arrests Suspects With Tramadol in Kano
In Kano State, two suspects, Ali Abdullahi, 38, and Ibrahim Adamu, 23, were arrested along the Zaria-Kano Road on October 13 with 30,100 tablets of tramadol 225mg.
Another suspect, 54-year-old Murtala Dayyabu, was arrested at Niger Street, Malan Kato, on October 14 with 100,000 tablets of Exol-5.
The airport interception and the subsequent nationwide seizures formed part of the agency’s broader efforts to disrupt drug trafficking and distribution networks.
496.5kg of Cannabis Seized in Kaduna
In Kaduna State, an NDLEA raid at Kayimi village led to the arrest of three suspects: Mohammed Sani, 48; Zaharadeen Shafiu, 29; and Yakubu Abdullahi, 20.
The operatives reportedly recovered 496.5 kilogrammes of cannabis during the operation.
At Food Palace on Ali Akilu Road, Kaduna, officers also arrested 39-year-old John Ayo David with 49,500 tablets of tramadol 225mg.
NDLEA Arrests Suspect With 29,500 Tramadol Capsules in Abuja
In the Federal Capital Territory, a 42-year-old suspect, Odo Jonas Ejike, was arrested in the Utako area on October 17.
The agency said 29,500 tramadol capsules were recovered during the operation.
The arrests and seizures across the affected states underscore the scale of the enforcement activities reported by the agency.
NDLEA Intensifies Drug Abuse Awareness Campaign
Beyond its enforcement operations, the NDLEA said its commands and formations continued public enlightenment activities under its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative.
The sensitisation programmes were conducted in schools, worship centres, workplaces and communities across the country.
Educational institutions reached included Nawar-Ur-Deen High School in Ogboro, Oyo State; Elf Junior Secondary School in Bojude, Gombe State; Cherubim and Seraphim Primary School in Ikorodu, Lagos State; Harmony Secondary School in Lokoja, Kogi State; and Government Secondary School in Ikot Ansa, Calabar, Cross River State.
Other locations included Rivers State College of Health Science and Management Technology in Port Harcourt, Mesh International School in Benin City, Edo State, and Abu Hanifa Academy in Kano Municipal, Kano State.
Marwa Commends NDLEA Officers
The NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), commended officers of the Apapa, Tin Can, Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Lagos, Edo, Bauchi, Ondo, Kano and FCT commands for their efforts.
Marwa urged officers across the country to sustain the fight against drug trafficking networks while maintaining the agency’s balanced approach to drug control.
The agency’s operations combined interdiction at international travel and shipping points with raids, road interceptions, cannabis farm destruction and public awareness campaigns aimed at tackling drug trafficking and substance abuse.