The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency is intensifying its crackdown on traffickers, uncovering shocking methods of smuggling narcotics through airports, highways, courier services, and even farms. In Lagos, two returnees from Brazil were caught after excreting wraps of heroin and cocaine, while in other states, large consignments of opioids and cannabis were seized.
At the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, NDLEA operatives arrested two returnees from Brazil — Ofoma Sunday and Ukachukwu Frank Ikechukwu. Under medical observation, Ofoma excreted 111 wraps of heroin weighing over 1.4 kilograms, while Ikechukwu expelled five wraps of cocaine. Both men confessed to trafficking the drugs into Nigeria.
In a related operation, officers arrested 46-year-old businesswoman Okolonkwo Ebere Theresa after Aviation Security and NDLEA operatives intercepted 1.4 kilograms of methamphetamine hidden in her butt-pad underwear. Further checks at the airport export shed uncovered food items and phone chargers stuffed with meth and cocaine headed to Europe and Asia.
Beyond Lagos, the Agency seized more than 233,000 tramadol pills during raids in Adamawa State, arrested suspects in Yola, and intercepted cannabis farms in Edo spanning over four hectares. In Zamfara, NDLEA operatives impounded over a ton of skunk being transported in a truck, while in Yobe and Taraba, traffickers were nabbed with additional opioid and cannabis consignments.
The Agency also sustained its War Against Drug Abuse campaign, holding sensitization programmes in schools, mosques, churches, and communities across several states.
NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd) said
“These arrests and seizures mark a major step in our fight against drug cartels targeting our youth. We will not relent until traffickers can no longer harm our people or tarnish Nigeria’s image globally.”
The NDLEA says its balanced approach of enforcement and sensitization will continue as it works to dismantle trafficking networks across Nigeria.
