NDLEA Intercepts Illicit Drugs Hidden in Water Purifiers, Seizes Over 1.2 Tonnes of Skunk in Kaduna
NDLEA Intercepts Illicit Drugs Hidden in Water Purifiers, Seizes Over 1.2 Tonnes of Skunk in Kaduna
NDLEA Intercepts Illicit Drugs Hidden in Water Purifiers, Seizes Over 1.2 Tonnes of Skunk in Kaduna
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has uncovered consignments of high-potency illicit drugs concealed inside water purifier machines shipped from the Netherlands to Lagos, as operatives intensified nationwide efforts against drug trafficking and abuse.
According to the Agency, the illicit consignments, comprising three kilograms of ketamine and 199 grams of MDMA, popularly known as Ecstasy, were carefully hidden inside water purifier machines. The drugs were discovered and seized at a courier company in Lagos on Tuesday, May 26, 2026.
In Kaduna State, NDLEA operatives arrested a couple, Musa Sunday and Mercy Sunday, alongside another suspect, Salomi Ezekiel, 38, following the recovery of 100 jumbo bags of skunk weighing a total of 1,246 kilograms from their residence in the Gonin Gora area on May 24.
The Agency also recorded another major breakthrough in the state when operatives on patrol along the Abuja-Kaduna Highway near Jere intercepted a 30-year-old suspect, Sunusi Musa, with 380 rounds of military-grade 7.62mm RLA ammunition allegedly being transported to Katsina State. NDLEA said the suspect and the recovered ammunition have been handed over to the appropriate security agency for further investigation.
In Niger State, operatives acting on intelligence raided a warehouse in Gidan Kukah, Bosso Local Government Area, where 457 kilograms of skunk were recovered on May 27. A suspect, Godwin Zakka, 46, was subsequently arrested at his residence in Gbeganu, Minna, in connection with the seizure.
Similarly, in Enugu State, NDLEA officers on patrol along the Onitsha-Enugu Expressway intercepted a commercial vehicle travelling to Taraba State on May 28. A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of 22,000 tramadol pills, 100 ampoules of pentazocine, and 200 grams of bromazepam. The driver, identified as James Maigari Wisdom, was arrested.
Beyond enforcement operations, the Agency said its commands and formations across the country sustained the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign through sensitisation programmes in schools, worship centres, workplaces and communities.
The awareness campaigns were conducted at institutions including Government Secondary School, Adiabo in Cross River State; St Patrick’s Memorial College, Wukari in Taraba State; Roman Catholic Mission Nursery and Primary School, Ibeju-Lekki in Lagos State; and Kings Secondary School, Amawbia in Anambra State.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Mohamed Buba Marwa, commended officers of the Kaduna, Niger and Enugu Commands, as well as the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation, for the arrests and seizures.
He also praised their commitment to balancing drug supply reduction efforts with public sensitisation campaigns, urging personnel across the country to remain vigilant and sustain the momentum in the fight against drug trafficking and abuse.
NDLEA Intercepts Illicit Drugs Hidden in Water Purifiers, Seizes Over 1.2 Tonnes of Skunk in Kaduna
