The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted large consignments of opioids and other illicit substances concealed in building materials during a nationwide crackdown on drug cartels. The operations also led to the arrest of a 75-year-old man in Ebonyi State and four notorious female drug dealers in Edo, Imo, Kano, and Gombe states.
Major Breakthrough in Taraba State
On Saturday, June 6, 2026, NDLEA operatives acting on credible intelligence intercepted a truck conveying building materials from Onitsha, Anambra State, to Jalingo. At the Nukkai Timber Shade in Jalingo, a thorough search uncovered a massive cache of illicit drugs concealed beneath the cargo. A 22-year-old suspect, Buhari Abdullahi, was arrested on the spot. Recovered items included 320,840 capsules of tramadol, 600 ampoules of pentazocine injection, 4,500 pills of rohypnol, and 299 bottles of codeine-based cough syrup.
Arrests in Ebonyi, Imo, and Edo States
In Ebonyi State, NDLEA operatives arrested 75-year-old Okebe Samuel at Okposi. He was found in possession of 300 grams of skunk allegedly packaged in retail sachets for sale to youths. In Imo State, a raid at Umulolo, Orlu, led to the arrest of 32-year-old Chioma Okeke, a notorious female dealer, with eight kilograms of skunk. In Edo State, a coordinated raid on June 2, 2026, in Benin City resulted in the arrest of four suspected traffickers, including three women. At Uyosa, Chioma Igba, 24, and Precious Ozomah, 22, were arrested with 176 grams of skunk, 65 grams of Loud, and five grams of methamphetamine. Along Agbor Road, Anita Abraham, 21, was apprehended with 95 grams of Scottish Loud and 329 grams of regular Loud. At Upper Mission, Henry Okey, 43, was arrested with various psychotropic substances including Loud, Colorado, Swinol, and methamphetamine.
Operations in Kano and Gombe States
In Kano State, on June 4, NDLEA operatives arrested 19-year-old Saifullahi Lawan at the Kafi area of Madobi with 40 blocks of skunk weighing 38 kilograms. In Gombe State, on June 1, 28-year-old Ugwu Sabastine Ifebuchi was intercepted near Dantiti Plaza in the Tumfure area with 15,000 capsules of tramadol.
Advocacy and Commitment
The NDLEA also sustained its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy campaign, delivering sensitisation lectures to students and staff of Holiness Foundation Primary School in Saki, Oyo State; Dorras High School, Ibeju Lekki, Lagos; Ado Girls Secondary School, Onitsha, Anambra State; and Army Day Secondary School, Kano, among others. Reacting to the operations, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), commended officers and personnel for their resilience and vigilance. He praised the balance between drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts, reiterating the agency's commitment to dismantling drug supply chains and targeting traffickers regardless of age, gender, or concealment methods.
