The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has executed a series of high-profile operations across Nigeria, leading to the arrest of multiple suspects—including a foreign national and a returning diaspora resident and the seizure of massive quantities of illicit drugs.

Major Airport Interceptions in Lagos

At the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Ikeja, Lagos, security operatives intercepted two major smuggling attempts within weeks of each other:

• South African National Arrested with Cocaine: A 34 year-old South African woman was detained at the departure hall while attempting to board a flight to her home country via Doha. A thorough inspection of her travel bags revealed 30 blocks of cocaine weighing 36.65 kilograms. The narcotics were wrapped in cello tape, packed into separate parcels, and laced with dried pepper to evade detection. Investigations subsequently led to the arrest of a 46 year old local car dealer who had coordinated her logistics, accommodation, and transport in Lagos prior to her scheduled departure.

• Nigerian-American Grandmother Held for Synthetic Cannabis: In a separate operation, a 62-year-old realtor holding both Nigerian and United States passports was arrested upon arriving on a flight from Houston. Officers uncovered 18 parcels of high-grade synthetic cannabis, commonly known as loud, weighing 9.45 kilograms. The illicit substance was concealed inside gift-wrapping paper within her checked luggage.

Nationwide Raids and Massive Drug Seizures

Simultaneous anti-narcotics operations across multiple states resulted in the recovery of extensive quantities of prohibited pharmaceuticals and cannabis:

• Lagos and Delta States: Operatives in Lagos recovered thousands of pills of diazepam and tramadol, alongside quantities of skunk and liquid mixtures. Meanwhile, in Delta State, authorities arrested a suspect in possession of a large cache of pharmaceutical opioids, including tramadol capsules, codeine syrup, Rohypnol, diazepam, pentazocine injections, and Molly, alongside the seizure of a white transport bus. A physically challenged woman was also apprehended in the state with six kilograms of skunk.

• Northern and Central Regions: In Kano State, a raid yielded over 150 blocks of cannabis sativa weighing nearly 100 kilograms. Taraba State checkpoints recorded multiple seizures totaling over 170 kilograms of compressed cannabis. In Niger State, officers intercepted a vehicle transporting tens of thousands of opioid pills, while Bauchi State authorities seized hundreds of kilograms of cannabis packed in jumbo sacks.

• Agricultural Interdictions: Intelligence-led operations in Ondo and Edo states targeted major drug production sites. In Ondo, authorities recovered dozens of bags of abandoned cannabis from a farm. In Edo State, two large cannabis cultivation forests were raided and destroyed, resulting in the burning of processed product and the arrest of local suspects.

Public Sensitization and Anti Abuse Campaigns

Alongside active law enforcement and interdiction efforts, NDLEA formations across the country intensified their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) outreach initiatives. Awareness lectures and sensitization programs were conducted across various educational institutions, secondary schools, and local communities to educate students and staff on the dangers of substance abuse and illicit trafficking.