NDLEA Intercepts UK-Bound Cocaine, Arrests Suspects in Multi-State Drug Busts
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted a significant consignment of cocaine destined for the United Kingdom, alongside multiple other drug seizures across Nigeria, resulting in numerous arrests in a series of coordinated operations.
Cocaine Interception at Lagos Airport
On Thursday, April 9, 2026, NDLEA officers at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Ikeja, Lagos, seized 12 large parcels of cocaine concealed in the false bottoms of food flasks. The consignment, with a gross weight of 2.80 kilogrammes, was bound for the UK on a Virgin Atlantic flight and was intercepted at the airport’s export shed. Two cargo agents, Ama Obinna Ufeim, 33, and Ogabi Monday Akorede, 39, were arrested in connection with the seizure.
Further investigation led to the identification of a 52-year-old freight forwarding agent, Agoro Tajudeen Moninuola, as the sender of the shipment. He was apprehended in a follow-up operation, highlighting the agency’s efforts to dismantle drug trafficking networks.
Additional Seizures and Arrests
In a separate operation at the Lagos airport’s import shed on Wednesday, April 8, NDLEA officers intercepted 2.90 kilogrammes of Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, concealed in snack packs. The consignment arrived from the United States aboard a Delta Airlines flight. Two cargo clearing agents, Animashaun Moshood Adetunji and Mercy Gabriel Oluwasegun, were initially arrested. The consignee, Saheed Adeshina Adegoke, a 29-year-old fashion designer, was later apprehended at 3 Oba Ogunji Road, Ogba, Lagos, on Monday, April 13.
In Kaduna State, on Monday, April 13, NDLEA operatives on patrol along the Kaduna–Zaria highway at Gwargwaje, Zaria, intercepted a trailer carrying cement to Hadeja in Jigawa State. A search of the vehicle revealed 760 blocks and 33 jumbo bags of skunk, weighing 847 kilogrammes. The driver, Umar Garba Haruna, 33, was arrested in connection with the seizure.
Cross River and Edo State Operations
In Cross River State, a 53-year-old woman, Alice Sunday Udoh, was arrested on Thursday, April 16, after NDLEA officers, supported by soldiers, raided a forest in Uwet community, Akamkpa Local Government Area. During the operation, 15,000 kilogrammes of skunk cultivated on six hectares of farmland were destroyed, while 119 kilogrammes were recovered for evidence.
Another cannabis farm was raided on Tuesday, April 14, at Saboro Camp, Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State. NDLEA operatives destroyed 2,281.43 kilogrammes of the substance. Three suspects—Nweke Smart, 27; Christopher Egbe, 62; and Monday Ayan, 45—were arrested. Christopher and Ayan were found in possession of 38.5 kilogrammes of cannabis and seeds, further implicating them in the illicit trade.
Delta and Lagos Busts
In Delta State, two suspects, Sunday Odili, 49, and Ijenebe Joshua, 39, were arrested with 87.838 kilogrammes of skunk and seeds at the Powerline area of Okwo on Friday, April 17. This operation underscores the agency’s vigilance in curbing drug activities in various regions.
In Lagos, NDLEA operatives arrested Chinedu Ogbekene and Zindozin Aloukou Bienvenu on Wednesday, April 15, at Mile 2 along the Lagos–Badagry Expressway. The suspects were transporting 11,900 capsules of tramadol and 400 ampoules of phenobarbital injection in a truck bound for Ghana. On the same day, officers raided a two-storey building in Petti, Lagos Island, recovering 95.8 kilogrammes of skunk, demonstrating the widespread nature of drug-related crimes in the state.
These multi-state operations reflect the NDLEA’s ongoing commitment to combating drug trafficking and abuse across Nigeria, with significant seizures and arrests made in recent weeks.
