NDLEA Arrests Businessman With 1.55kg Cocaine, Seizes N2.6bn Codeine Consignment, Other Drugs
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a 48-year-old businessman, Nwankwo Innocent Onyebuchi, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, while allegedly attempting to smuggle 1.55kg of cocaine to New Delhi, India.
Onyebuchi, who deals in marble in Lagos, was arrested at the departure hall of Terminal II while attempting to board a Qatar Airways flight to India. According to the NDLEA, the cocaine was factory-fitted into the side walls and railings of his check-in bag.
During interrogation, the suspect allegedly disclosed that he had sold his marble business and other assets to raise ₦23 million to purchase the consignment, hoping to sell it in India for as much as ₦100 million.
The NDLEA said the suspect remains in custody and will face prosecution.
NDLEA intercepts N2.6bn codeine consignment in Lagos
In a separate intelligence-led operation, NDLEA operatives raided a warehouse located within a residential compound at Hakeem Dosumu Street, Ago Palace area of Okota, Lagos.
The operation, conducted between August 7 and 8, 2026, led to the recovery of 3,776 cartons containing 377,600 bottles of codeine-based syrup, with an estimated value of more than ₦2.6 billion.
In another operation in Lagos, operatives raided the residence of a 55-year-old alleged drug kingpin, Shoremi Kayode, at Ipaja Estate. The raid resulted in the seizure of 324kg of Colorado, a synthetic strain of cannabis, valued at approximately ₦972 million.
Two vehicles—a Mercedes-Benz and a Toyota Corolla—were also recovered from the residence.
Major seizures recorded across states
The Agency also reported significant arrests and seizures in several states.
In Kwara State, operatives arrested Abubakar Adamu, 50, and Bilyaminu Nuhu, 30, at Kam Wire area of Ilorin, where 55.96kg of skunk was recovered from a truck.
In Oyo State, two suspects, Abdulfatai Oyelaran, 70, and Abdulrauf Ajadi, 50, were arrested along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. NDLEA recovered 52,000 ampoules of pentazocine injection and 6,000 ampoules of tramadol injection from their Toyota Sienna.
Along the Onitsha-Asaba Expressway, operatives arrested Osaro Ikpoba, 43, and Samuel Godbless, 18, with 124,100 tramadol pills, 786 bottles of codeine syrup, 2,598 Rohypnol tablets, 4,800 diazepam tablets, 470 ampoules of pentazocine and 200 ampoules of tramadol.
Another suspect, Emeka Tony, 50, was arrested along the Kwale-Ozoro Expressway with 1,244 cartridges and ₦8 million in cash.
Nearly 240,000 tramadol capsules seized in Plateau
In Plateau State, NDLEA operatives intercepted a Toyota Corolla along the Riyom-Jos Road and recovered 239,490 capsules of Tramaforce, a brand of tramadol.
The suspect, Kasum Sherif, was arrested in connection with the seizure.
Major opioid and cannabis seizures in Kano
In Kano State, six suspects were arrested along the Zaria-Kano Road during a patrol operation. They were identified as Okodili Ibeabuchi, 60; Onyeka Vincent, 47; Nwanko Wisdom, 36; Success Chigozie, 30; Emmanuel Jude, 27; and Chinedu Peter, 39.
The operation led to the recovery of 728,958 pills of tramadol, Rohypnol and other opioids, 360g of cocaine, 99.8g of methamphetamine, 50 bottles of codeine syrup and 2.7kg of Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis.
In another operation in Kano, NDLEA operatives raided Zawaciki Gida Dubu in Kumbotso Local Government Area on August 14, recovering 171 blocks of skunk weighing 106.8kg. Two suspects, Mustapha Iliya, 30, and Abdulwahab Abdulrashid, 24, were arrested.
Over 4.6 tonnes of cannabis destroyed in Edo
In Edo State, NDLEA operatives destroyed 4,628.9775kg of skunk from two cannabis farms measuring approximately 1.85 hectares in the Ugboku/Igbanke forest area of Orhionmwon Local Government Area.
A 40-year-old suspect, Agholor Elebojie, was arrested during the operation.
Another suspect, Kingsley Anigala, 28, was arrested during a raid on drug joints in the Oluku area of Benin City, where 25.857kg of Loud and 93g of methamphetamine were recovered.
NDLEA sustains drug-abuse prevention campaign
Beyond drug supply reduction, the Agency said its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign continued across the country during the week.
Sensitisation lectures were delivered to students and staff of Madarasatu Sheikh Muhammad Rabi’u Arabic School in Kano and Olomu Junior Secondary School in Ajah, Lagos, among other institutions.
Commending personnel of the MMIA Lagos, Kano, Kwara, Edo, Plateau, Oyo and Delta Commands for the latest operations, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd.), also praised officers across the country for maintaining what he described as a balance between drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction.
The Agency reaffirmed that its nationwide operations will continue to target drug trafficking networks while strengthening preventive and public-awareness initiatives aimed at reducing drug abuse.
NDLEA Arrests Businessman With 1.55kg Cocaine, Seizes N2.6bn Codeine Consignment, Other Drugs