April 05, (THEWILL) — In a major victory against drug trafficking, operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have uncovered cocaine concealed in tins of palm kernel oil and arrested the kingpin of a sophisticated syndicate at a hideout in Lagos.
A statement signed on Sunday by Femi Babafemi, Director of Media and Advocacy at NDLEA Headquarters in Abuja, the breakthrough is part of a series of high-stakes, intelligence-led operations spanning several weeks, which also saw the interception of other illicit drugs and the apprehension of key suspects across multiple states.
The operation began on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, when officers at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Strategic Command, Ikeja, Lagos, intercepted 3.10 kilograms of cocaine hidden inside tins of palm kernel extract destined for the United Kingdom. Two suspects handling the shipment, Idris Olayiwola Amoo and Akinlami Akinsoji Adedoyin, were promptly arrested.
Subsequent investigations led to the arrest of the sender, Ezemuwo Joel, who operated under the false identity of Ajayi, during a sting operation on Thursday, 2nd April. Joel’s capture provided the crucial link to the syndicate’s leader, 52-year-old King Arinze, who was traced to a hideout in Isolo, Lagos. NDLEA operatives then raided his warehouse at 11, Ola Ifa Street, Bucknor, Isolo, recovering 886 tins of palm kernel extract prepared for drug concealment, industrial tools including a sealing machine, tin openers, paint sprays, 52 grams of cannabis sativa, and hand gloves. Arinze confessed to personally draining the oil from the tins to hide the cocaine.
In Borno State, NDLEA officers on Wednesday, 1st April, intercepted 28-year-old Aisha Adamu, a female drug supplier to bandit groups operating between the North East and Chad. She was apprehended along Gamboru Ngala Road in possession of 4.3 kilograms of Colorado, a potent synthetic cannabis strain.
In Lagos State, Pastor Afolabi Hodonu, 45, of the Celestial Church of Christ, Agonvi Sea Beach, Sakpo area, Badagry, and his wife, Mrs Success Hodonu, 35, were arrested on Thursday, 2nd April, at the Gbaji checkpoint after 11 kilograms of skunk were discovered concealed in their Honda Pilot SUV. Their arrest followed the capture of a fake security agent, Sunday Samuel, 35, on Monday, 30th March, who was transporting 24.5 kilograms of skunk from Seme border to Lagos.
NDLEA operations also extended to Adamawa State, where on Monday, 30th March, officers intercepted a trailer marked RUW 947 XA carrying 48,000 tramadol pills along Namtari Road, Yola South. The truck driver, Abdulaziz Ismail Korede, was arrested, and follow-up operations led to the apprehension of the recipient, Idris Adamu.
Other notable seizures included 15 kilograms of skunk from 60-year-old Idiatu Oladejo in Isale Osun, Osogbo, Osun State, on Wednesday, 1st April; 351 kilograms of skunk and seeds recovered in Itaogbolu Forest, Akure, Ondo State; and 28,600 tramadol capsules seized from 66-year-old Aminu Usman Gembu at Aliade, Benue State, on Wednesday, 1st April. In Edo State, Roland Owie, 37, was arrested on Monday, 30th March, after a raid on his warehouse in Egbanke community, Orhionmwon LGA, yielding 1,378 kilograms of skunk. In Oyo State, notorious drug dealer Ayantola Omodunmomi (a.k.a Iya Elle), 40, was arrested on Wednesday, 1st April in Eleta, Ibadan. Intelligence revealed she used her 11-year-old daughter, Anjola, to deliver illicit drugs, with 45.6 kilograms of skunk seized from her warehouse.
The NDLEA also maintained its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy activities nationwide. Sensitisation lectures were delivered to students and staff at institutions including Okere Grammar School, Saki, Oyo, Shasha Comprehensive High School, Alimosho, Lagos, Ma’ahad Ahmad Turaki Islamiyya, Sabon Gari, Kano, Ezi-Awka Community Secondary School, Awka, Anambra, and Madrasatul Ihsan, Area One, Tsafe, Zamfara State.
Chairman of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) commended the officers, stating, “These successful operations are a testament to the Agency’s evolving intelligence capabilities and our unwavering commitment to choking the supply lines of drug cartels. Whether they hide behind legitimate businesses, religious titles, or complex concealment methods, we will find them.”
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.
