NIGERIA: The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has disrupted multiple cross-border drug trafficking attempts and dismantled major domestic production rings in a series of coordinated nationwide operations. The sweep resulted in the seizure of illicit opioids destined for Europe and Oceania, the destruction of massive cannabis plantations, and the interception of military-grade ammunition.

International Courier Interdictions

On Friday, May 15, 2026, operatives from the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation (DOGI) intercepted two separate outbound cargo consignments at a courier firm in Lagos.

• Australia Route: Officials recovered 170 grams of cocaine concealed within the cardboard walls of a shipping carton containing clothing.

• United Kingdom Route: A separate shipment was found to contain a sophisticated cache of pharmaceutical opioids concealed in a similar manner. The seizure included 200 ampoules of pentazocine injection, 1,100 capsules of tramadol, and 100 ampoules of promethazine injection.

Elite Crackdown on Infused Confectioneries

In the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, tactical operations on Monday, May 11, led to the arrest of 29-year-old businessman Ogadi Peter. Following targeted intelligence, operatives raided the suspect's residence in the Life Camp district. Peter is alleged to specialize in manufacturing drug-infused baked goods for social gatherings. Authorities recovered 800 grams of skunk (highly potent cannabis) alongside 2.70 kilograms of drug-laced cookies.

Massive Cultivation Destroyed in Delta and Edo States

Joint operations involving NDLEA personnel and personnel from the Nigerian Armed Forces led to the destruction of significant cannabis cultivation sites:

• Delta State: On Sunday, May 10, a raid at Ejeonu village in the Ukwuani Local Government Area (LGA) resulted in the destruction of 27,500 kilograms of skunk spanning 11 hectares of farmland. A follow-up operation in Obiaruku led to the arrest of a 52-year-old suspect, Ifeanyichukwu Peter. On Tuesday, May 12, a subsequent raid in Orogun village, Ughelli North LGA, neutralized an additional 37,500 kilograms of the substance across 15 hectares, with 30-year-old Godwin Vincent Osadera taken into custody. In total, 65,000 kilograms of illicit crops were destroyed across both sites.

• Edo State: On Friday, May 15, enforcement officers cleared two farms within the Ago forest in Orhionmwon LGA, destroying 1,388.41 kilograms of cannabis plants.

Ammunition Interception and Regional Seizures

On Tuesday, May 12, highway patrol officers along the Abuja-Kaduna expressway intercepted a significant cache of military hardware. A 35-year-old suspect, Abdullahi Hassan, was arrested while transporting 1,989 rounds of RLA 7.62mm ammunition hidden inside bags of fresh white cassava granules (garri). The suspect and the seized ammunition have been transferred to an allied security agency for advanced profiling and investigation.

Additional enforcement actions across the federation yielded several arrests and commodity seizures:

• Kaduna State: A raid in the Dan Magaji area of Zaria on May 13 led to the arrest of Husaini Suleiman, 42, and the recovery of 361 kilograms of skunk.

• Ogun State: Operatives seized 181 kilograms of skunk during a raid in Ogere on May 13, arresting suspect Aliyu Sani.

• Taraba State: On May 14, Sufiyanu Mohammed Misa, 27, was apprehended along the Zaki-Biam road in Wukari LGA with 105,850 illicit pharmaceutical pills, including tramadol, diazepam, and exol-5.

• Oyo State: Two suspects, Adeleke Olamide Aliyah, 20, and Aloba Abdulazeez, 25, were detained on May 14 at Challenge II, Saki town, following the confiscation of 99 liters of "skuchies" (a potent local drug concoction).

• Kano State: Acting on credible intelligence, officers at the Kofar Ruwa motor park intercepted a 25-liter jerrycan of palm oil used to conceal 1.2 kilograms of high-dose tramadol (Tramaking 225mg) on May 11. Concurrently, Aminu Isa, 35, was arrested in Sabuwar Sharada with 30.5 kilograms of skunk.

Demand Reduction Advocacy

In tandem with supply reduction efforts, the NDLEA sustained its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) grassroots sensitization campaign. Educational and advocacy lectures were delivered to students and faculty at several institutions nationwide, including:

• The Apostolic Church Model College, Ijokodo (Oyo State)

• School of Health Technology, Lambata (Niger State)

• Yewa Junior High School, Agege (Lagos State)

• Government Secondary School, Yardaje (Katsina State)

• Igogo Commercial High School, Igogo (Ekiti State)

• Government Girls Secondary School, Magwan (Kano State)

Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, commended the operational commands for their high-yield performance over the past week. He lauded the personnel for maintaining a critical strategic balance between aggressive drug supply disruption and preventative drug demand reduction frameworks.