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NDLEA intercepts 1.63 million tramadol pills hidden in specially fabricated compartments of two trailers heading to Kano, disrupting what investigators describe as a major cross-border drug trafficking operation.
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Intelligence-led investigations uncover a transnational drug syndicate operating along the Togo-Benin Republic-Nigeria corridor, with the latest seizures linked to an earlier interception of 558,900 tramadol pills.
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Businesswoman, cargo agents, Chadian national, Edo couple, and an 80-year-old Rivers resident are among suspects arrested as operatives also recover Canadian Loud cannabis.
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NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) commends officers for the successful operations, urging sustained vigilance as the agency intensifies nationwide enforcement.
July 19 , (THEWILL) — The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled a suspected transnational drug trafficking network after intercepting 1,630,000 pills of tramadol 250mg concealed in two trailers heading to Kano, in one of the agency’s biggest drug seizures in recent weeks.
The operation also led to the arrest of several suspects across Lagos, Rivers, Edo, and Kogi states, including an 80-year-old alleged drug dealer, a businesswoman linked to cannabis imports from Canada, cargo agents, a Chadian national and an Edo-based couple allegedly operating a drug warehouse.
The latest breakthrough followed weeks of intelligence gathering targeting a criminal syndicate smuggling tramadol from Togo through the Benin Republic into Nigeria.
It came barely one week after NDLEA operatives intercepted another 558,900 tramadol pills concealed in the false bottom compartment of a truck that entered Lagos through the same international route, reinforcing investigators’ belief that both consignments originated from the same organised criminal network.
According to the agency, the first trailer was intercepted on July 2 along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway while travelling to Kano.
A meticulous search uncovered 853,000 pills of tramadol 250mg hidden beneath the cargo floor inside a specially fabricated compartment. The truck driver, 22-year-old Jabir Kabiru, was immediately arrested.
Acting on processed intelligence, NDLEA operatives tracked a second trailer on July 4, also heading towards Kano along the same highway.
A further search yielded 777,000 pills of tramadol 250mg, similarly concealed beneath the truck’s cargo floor. The driver, Muhammed Nuhu, 22, was arrested.
Investigations revealed that the consignments intercepted on June 21, July 2, and July 4 were all linked to the same transnational drug trafficking syndicate operating along the Togo-Benin Republic-Nigeria route.
The agency said the sustained operations underscore its determination to dismantle organised criminal networks exploiting Nigeria’s borders to traffic illicit drugs.
Canadian Loud Shipments Traced to Businesswoman
In a separate operation at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos, NDLEA operatives intercepted two consignments of Canadian Loud, a highly potent synthetic strain of cannabis, weighing a combined 4.70 kilogrammes.
The illicit consignments, concealed inside cartons boldly labelled “Odugwu,” arrived from Canada aboard British Airways and Ethiopian Airlines flights on June 24 and July 3, respectively.
Investigators initially arrested cargo agents Ali Rotimi Samson and Orimolade Oluwagbenga, before apprehending another suspect, Edeh Onyeamachi Stanislus, who allegedly appeared at a logistics company to collect the shipments.
Further investigations led operatives to 44-year-old Chioma Nneka Mokeme, identified as the owner of the consignments. She was arrested on July 7 with the support of officers from the Area C Command of the Nigeria Police, Surulere.
During interrogation, she reportedly claimed that a Canada-based associate identified as Agbons Collins introduced her to the illicit drug trade.
80-Year-Old Suspect Nabbed in Rivers
In Rivers State, NDLEA operatives arrested 80-year-old Chika Ugwoji in Ahoada after allegedly recovering 800 grams of skunk, a strain of cannabis, from his possession during an operation conducted on July 14.
The arrest, the agency said, demonstrates that its enforcement operations target all categories of offenders regardless of age.
Major Drug Warehouse Uncovered in Edo
In Edo State, NDLEA operatives raided an alleged drug warehouse located along Sapele Road in Benin City, leading to the arrest of Christian Chukwuka, 32, and Nwanneka Christian, 33.
Recovered from the premises were 22 bags of cannabis sativa weighing 219.5 kilogrammes, alongside compressed blocks of Canadian Loud with a gross weight of 192.67 kilogrammes.
The agency described the seizure as another significant disruption of illicit drug distribution networks operating within the country.
Major Drug Warehouse Uncovered in Edo
Also arrested were Hajara Abdullahi, 38, a Chadian national, and her Nigerian accomplice, Abdulkarim Jidda, 44, following investigations into the seizure of 50,000 pills of tramadol 225mg intercepted in Kogi State on July 12.
NDLEA said intelligence linked the seized consignment to the two suspects, who were tracked to Lagos and arrested in the Apapa area.
War Against Drug Abuse Campaign Expands
Beyond enforcement activities, the agency said its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy campaign continued nationwide during the week with sensitisation lectures delivered to students and staff of schools in Katsina, Enugu, Lagos, Rivers, Ekiti, and Kano states.
The campaign forms part of NDLEA’s preventive strategy aimed at reducing drug demand through sustained public education, particularly among young Nigerians.
Marwa Commends Operatives
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended officers and personnel of the MMIA, Lagos, Rivers, Edo, and Kogi Commands for the successful operations.
Marwa said the latest seizures and arrests reflected the agency’s growing intelligence capability and unwavering commitment to dismantling organised drug trafficking networks operating within and across Nigeria’s borders.
He urged officers to remain vigilant and sustain the momentum in the ongoing offensive against illicit drug trafficking, stressing that the combined efforts of NDLEA personnel, sister security agencies, and members of the public remain critical to winning the fight against drug abuse and organised narcotics crime in Nigeria.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
