October 19, (THEWILL) — The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted consignments of illicit drugs concealed in frozen snails, electrical bulbs and female clothes heading to the United States, United Kingdom and Democratic Republic of Congo.
A statement signed on Sunday by NDLEA Spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, said the seizures were made at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) and a courier company in Lagos.
“At least, two suspects linked to attempts to export the illicit substances have already been taken into custody. One of them, a cargo agent, Boladale Riliwan, was arrested on 7th October 2025, following the discovery of 15 parcels of skunk, a strain of cannabis, concealed in 10 pieces of giant rechargeable electrical bulbs he presented in a carton for airfreight to Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) at the export shed of the Lagos airport.
“Another suspect in custody is 48-year-old Olawale Oyebola Hakeemot, who is a UK-based Public Health Assistant. She was arrested on Sunday, 12th October, at the departure hall of terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, following the discovery of frozen snails used to conceal 2,300 pills of tramadol 225mg in her luggage while heading to Manchester, United Kingdom, on a Qatar Airways flight.
“Attempt by another syndicate to export 810 pills of bromazepam hidden in female clothes going to the United States was also thwarted by NDLEA officers at a courier company in Lagos on Thursday 16th October”, Babafemi said.
In Adamawa State, operatives on October 12, intercepted a suspect, Bello Buba, with 38,270 tramadol pills hidden in the spare tyre, boot and door compartments of his Honda Civic car at a checkpoint in Namtari, Yola South LGA.
Nationwide operations also led to the destruction of 53,250kg of cannabis on 21.3 hectares of farmland in Ilawe Ekiti, with 1,140kg recovered and three suspects arrested. Another 17,400kg was destroyed on 6.96 hectares in Aponmu forest reserve, Ondo State. In Oyo, Ogun, Imo, Enugu and Lagos states, several suspects were arrested with varying quantities of cannabis, opioids and codeine syrup. Notably, 80,000 bottles of codeine-based syrup imported from India were seized at Apapa Port in a joint operation with Customs.
According to the agency, “Not less than 53,250 kilograms of skunk were destroyed on 21.3 hectares of cannabis farm in Ilawe Ekiti, Ekiti state, with 70 bags of the same psychoactive substance weighing 1,140kg recovered by NDLEA operatives during an operation that lasted between Sunday, 12th and Monday, 13th October. Suspects arrested include Matthew Emmanuel, 26; James Moses, 27; and Israel Samuel, 20. This followed the destruction of 17,400kg skunk on 6.96 hectares of plantation by NDLEA operatives at Aponmu forest reserve, Akure, Ondo state, on Sunday, 12th October.
“In Oyo state, Aliyu Muhammed, 50; Babarinde Segun,32; Ogunbiyi Sanjo, 30; and Ajani Oluro,30, were nabbed with 596kg skunk at Apata-Ako, Igboora, while Jacob Afolabi, 30, and Salako Oluwatobi, 25, were arrested with 273kg of same substance at Odo-Oyan, Igangan, on Thursday, 16th October.
“While Joseph Andrew was arrested in possession of 88kg skunk on Wednesday, 15th October, by NDLEA operatives at Ona-Imeko, Ogun state, another suspect, Festus Udoh, 42, was nabbed with 13,000 pills of opioids along Onitsha-Owerri road, Imo state. In same vein, a total of 74.5kg skunk was recovered from the store of a suspect Joseph Chukwujamaa at Umuogbo-Agu village, Enugu state, on Saturday, 18th October.
“In Lagos, no fewer than 11 bags of skunk weighing 117kg were recovered from the base of a suspect, Ramoni Olukowi, in Mushin area on Saturday, 18th October, while a total of 80,000 bottles of codeine-based syrup were intercepted in a container earlier watch-listed by NDLEA coming from India during a joint examination of the shipment with men of Customs service and other security agencies at the Apapa port on Tuesday, 14th October.”
In like manner, Commands and formations of the Agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation activities to schools, worship centres, work places and communities, among others in the past week. These include WADA advocacy lecture to students and staff of Commercial Grammar School, Igogo Ekiti; Junior Secondary Smart School, Kasarawa, Katsina; Government Technical College, Ahoada, Rivers; Government Girls Junior Secondary School, Yau Danzabuwa, Babura, Jigawa state; Attarbiyya Community College, Hotoro, Kano; Fuga Mixed Secondary School, Fuga, Edo state; St. Cyprian Special Science School, Nsukka, Enugu and St. Peter’s College, Olomore, Abeokuta, Ogun state, among others.
NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended the officers for the arrests and seizures, urging them to sustain the momentum in the ongoing fight against drug trafficking and abuse across the country.
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.
