NDLEA cracks down on trans-border drug syndicate, arrests four in Onitsha, Keffi

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled a trans-border drug trafficking syndicate, apprehending four suspects in coordinated intelligence-driven operations across multiple states.

The agency recovered a massive haul of tramadol pills cleverly hidden in vehicle compartments, along with other illicit substances, during its operations in Anambra, Cross River, Nasarawa, Taraba, Ekiti, and Lagos states.

Following weeks of surveillance, NDLEA operatives intercepted a Sienna bus with registration number ABJ 452 HG at Nasarawa-Toto road, Keffi, Nasarawa State, on Tuesday, January 27, 2025, at 6:00 AM.

The vehicle, originating from Onitsha, Anambra State, and headed to Yola, Adamawa State, carried two suspects: Zahradeen Adamu, 27, and Abubakar Usman, 44. A second Sienna bus driven by Abba Usman, 48, was also stopped.

A thorough search of the vehicles revealed specially designed steel compartments concealed behind the back bumper and in the spare tire housing, where a total of 190,960 tramadol pills were discovered. Investigations traced the supply of these illicit drugs to an Onitsha-based dealer, Kingsley Mbaeri.

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Acting swiftly, NDLEA operatives arrested Mbaeri at his Uga Street residence on January 29, recovering two vehicles—a Toyota Corolla (FGG 948 MF) and a Toyota Sienna (GWA 23 HH)—from his home.

On February 4, operatives of NDLEA’s Intelligence Department intercepted a commercial bus at Abaji checkpoint in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

A passenger, Chimezie Henry Ojingwa, 32, was found carrying motor spare parts in a black bag. Upon inspection, authorities recovered 404.47 grams of methamphetamine, 506.49 grams of Loud (a synthetic cannabis strain), and 262.32 grams of dimethyl sulfone, a precursor for meth production.

In another operation on February 13, NDLEA officers in Cross River State intercepted a truck on the Ogoja-Abakaliki road in Yahe, driven by Paul Chukwudi, 31. A total of 170,000 tramadol pills were seized.

Meanwhile, operatives at the Apapa seaport in Lagos uncovered 85,400 bottles of codeine-based syrup concealed in a shipping container imported from India on February 11.

NDLEA continued its crackdown in Borno State, where operatives nabbed Halilu Isa and Gambo Umaru on February 14 along Bama Road, Maiduguri. The duo was caught in possession of 60 compressed blocks of skunk, a high-potency cannabis strain, weighing 72 kilograms.

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In Ekiti State, operatives raided a notorious drug joint at Iloda Street, Ikole-Ekiti, on February 11, arresting three suspects: Bala Muhammed, 57; Yahaya Adamu, 55; and Abdullahi Shehu, 30. A total of 83 kilograms of skunk were confiscated.

Similarly, in Lagos, a 28-year-old woman, Samiat Olabisi Yussuf, was arrested at her Lekki residence on February 15. During the raid, authorities recovered 169.5 liters of nitrous oxide (commonly known as laughing gas) and 111 grams of Loud.

The NDLEA’s efforts extended to Taraba State, where operatives apprehended Ibrahim Usman, 40, and Solomon James, 40, with a combined 132.84 kilograms of skunk.

Usman was caught with 88 kilograms of Arizona and Ghana Loud at Wukari, while James was found with 44.84 kilograms of the same substances at Takanaba, Sabongari, Jalingo Local Government Area.

Beyond enforcement, the NDLEA intensified its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign, conducting sensitization lectures in schools, workplaces, traditional palaces, and communities across the country.

Recent sessions were held at Government Technical College, Oku, Akwa Ibom; Future Leaders Academy, Kishi, Oyo; Government Secondary School, Bashire, Sokoto; and Jesuit College, Agbado Ekiti, among others. The NDLEA’s Kano Command also organized an enlightenment lecture for married women in purdah at Markaz Umar Bn Khattab Centre, Kano.

Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, praised the officers from the Directorate of Intelligence, Apapa, Cross River, Borno, Ekiti, Taraba, and Lagos Commands for their successful operations.

He also commended personnel across all commands for sustaining WADA advocacy and reinforcing the agency’s commitment to eradicating drug abuse and trafficking nationwide.