The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has uncovered several sophisticated attempts to smuggle illicit drugs out of Nigeria, with narcotics concealed in items such as frozen snails, rechargeable electrical bulbs, and female clothing.
According to a statement released on Sunday by Femi Babafemi, NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, the drugs were destined for the United States, United Kingdom, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The interceptions were made at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) and a courier company in Lagos, with two suspects arrested in connection with the trafficking attempts.
Arrests and Seizures at MMIA
One of the suspects, Boladale Riliwan, a cargo agent, was arrested on October 7 after 15 parcels of skunk were discovered hidden inside 10 giant rechargeable electrical bulbs being prepared for export to the DRC.
Another arrest was made on October 12, involving Olawale Oyebola Hakeemot, a 48-year-old UK-based public health assistant. NDLEA operatives discovered 2,300 pills of Tramadol 225mg concealed in frozen snails in her luggage at Terminal 2 of MMIA. She was attempting to board a Qatar Airways flight to Manchester, UK.
Courier Drug Busts and Nationwide Crackdowns
On October 16, NDLEA operatives at a Lagos courier firm foiled another smuggling attempt involving 810 pills of bromazepam concealed in female clothing, bound for the United States.
In Adamawa State, a suspect identified as Bello Buba was caught at an NDLEA checkpoint in Namtari, Yola South LGA, with 38,270 pills of tramadol hidden in the spare tyre, boot, and door compartments of a Honda Civic. The suspect reportedly drove from Benin Republic to smuggle the drugs into Nigeria.
Massive Cannabis Plantations Destroyed
The NDLEA also carried out large-scale cannabis farm raids in:
- Ilawe Ekiti, Ekiti State – where 53,250kg of skunk was destroyed on 21.3 hectares of farmland between October 12 and 13. Three suspects were arrested: Matthew Emmanuel (26), James Moses (27), and Israel Samuel (20).
- Aponmu Forest Reserve, Akure, Ondo State – where 17,400kg of skunk cultivated on 6.96 hectares was destroyed on October 12.
Statewide Seizures and Arrests
Further arrests and drug seizures across several states include:
- Oyo State:
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Aliyu Muhammed (50), Babarinde Segun (32), Ogunbiyi Sanjo (30), and Ajani Oluro (30) arrested with 596kg of skunk at Apata-Ako, Igboora.
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Jacob Afolabi (30) and Salako Oluwatobi (25) found with 273kg of skunk at Odo-Oyan, Igangan.
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Ogun State:
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Joseph Andrew caught with 88kg of skunk at Ona-Imeko on October 15.
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Imo State:
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Festus Udoh (42) arrested along the Onitsha–Owerri Road with 13,000 pills of opioids.
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Enugu State:
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74.5kg of skunk recovered from the store of Joseph Chukwujamaa at Umuogbo-Agu Village on October 18.
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Lagos State:
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117kg of skunk recovered from the base of Ramoni Olukowi in Mushin on October 18.
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80,000 Bottles of Codeine Seized at Apapa Port
In a joint operation involving the NDLEA, Nigeria Customs Service, and other security agencies, 80,000 bottles of codeine-based syrup were intercepted in a container flagged by the NDLEA at Apapa Port on October 14.
NDLEA Chairman and CEO, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), praised the agency’s operatives for their latest string of arrests and drug seizures.
“This balanced approach of enforcement and education is crucial to winning the war against drug abuse and trafficking,” Marwa said, encouraging officers to remain vigilant and proactive in disrupting drug networks across the country.
