NDLEA Arrests Pastor and Wife with 11kg of Skunk Concealed in Vehicle in Lagos
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have apprehended Pastor Afolabi Hodonu, aged 45, and his wife, Mrs. Success Hodonu, aged 35, following the discovery of 11 kilograms of skunk hidden within their vehicle. The couple, associated with the Celestial Church of Christ located in the Agonvi Sea Beach area of Sakpo near the Seme border in Badagry, Lagos, were taken into custody on Thursday, April 2, at the Gbaji checkpoint in Lagos.
According to NDLEA spokesman Femi Babafemi, a thorough search of their Honda Pilot SUV revealed the illicit substance concealed in modified compartments. He provided detailed information on the arrest, emphasizing the agency's commitment to combating drug trafficking.
Arrest Linked to Earlier Drug Seizure at Same Checkpoint
The arrest of the pastor and his wife is connected to an earlier interception at the Gbaji checkpoint on Monday, March 30. During that operation, NDLEA operatives detained Sunday Samuel, a 35-year-old individual posing as a security agent, who was transporting 24.5 kilograms of skunk from the Seme border to Lagos. Investigations into this initial seizure reportedly led authorities to the cleric and his spouse, uncovering their involvement in broader drug trading activities.
Cocaine Intercepted at Lagos Airport and Additional Arrests
In a separate but related operation, NDLEA officers at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja, Lagos, intercepted 3.10 kilograms of cocaine concealed within tins of palm kernel extract destined for the United Kingdom. Two suspects, Idris Olayiwola Amoo and Akinlami Akinsoji Adedoyin, were arrested in connection with this seizure. Subsequent intelligence-led operations resulted in the apprehension of the alleged sender, Ezemuwo Joel, and the syndicate kingpin, King Arinze, aged 52, in the Isolo area of Lagos. Items recovered from this operation included 886 tins prepared for drug concealment and various packaging tools.
Female Terrorist Drug Supplier Arrested in Borno State
NDLEA operatives also arrested a suspected female terrorist drug supplier in Borno State. On Wednesday, April 1, officers intercepted 28-year-old Aisha Adamu along the Gamboru Ngala road, where she was found in possession of 4.3 kilograms of Colorado, a potent synthetic strain of cannabis. It is alleged that she was supplying bandit groups operating between the North East region of Nigeria and Chad.
Nationwide Drug Seizures Highlight Agency's Crackdown
Other significant operations conducted by the NDLEA across Nigeria include:
- Seizure of 48,000 tramadol pills in Adamawa State.
- Recovery of 1,378 kilograms of skunk from a warehouse in Edo State.
- Arrest of a suspected drug dealer in Ibadan who allegedly used her 11-year-old daughter to distribute illicit substances.
NDLEA Chairman Commends Officers for Successful Operations
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), praised the officers involved in these operations. He stated that these successes demonstrate the agency's evolving intelligence capabilities and unwavering commitment to disrupting the supply lines of drug cartels. Marwa emphasized that the NDLEA will continue to target individuals involved in drug trafficking, regardless of their use of legitimate businesses, religious titles, or complex concealment methods.
Related Incident: Woman Arrested for Drug Trade Collapses in Court
In a related development, 52-year-old Titilayo Akindele collapsed and died in a courtroom at the federal high court in Benin City, Edo State. She had been arrested by the Edo command of the NDLEA over alleged involvement in the illicit drugs trade. Akindele was brought to the court for arraignment but collapsed before her case was called on Tuesday, March 31, 2026.
