The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted 8,725 kilogrammes of tramadol powder valued at more than ₦6.98 billion at Apapa Port in Lagos and seized cannabis concealed in a palm oil container at Kano airport in a series of operations across Nigeria.

The agency also reported the arrest of several suspects, including an 85-year-old woman in Edo State, and the seizure of cannabis, tramadol and other controlled substances in Lagos, Edo, Ondo, Bauchi, Kano, Kaduna and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

According to a statement issued on Sunday, October 18, by the NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the operations targeted suspected drug trafficking networks and involved intelligence-led raids and joint examinations with other security agencies.

Cannabis intercepted at Kano airport

At the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport on Friday, October 16, operatives intercepted Fatimah Ahmad during the outward clearance of an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, via Addis Ababa.

The agency said officers discovered 511.75 grammes of cannabis concealed in a gallon of palm oil she was carrying.

According to the NDLEA, Ahmad told investigators that her cousin, Abubakar Yahaya, had given her the container. Yahaya was subsequently arrested at the airport car park.

₦6.98bn tramadol shipment uncovered in Lagos

At Apapa Port, NDLEA operatives working with the Nigeria Customs Service and other agencies uncovered a shipment of powdered tramadol imported from India and declared as maize starch.

The shipment was discovered during a joint examination on October 2. Laboratory tests subsequently identified the substance as tramadol hydrochloride powder.

The agency said the consignment was separated from its concealment on October 14, revealing 349 bags with a combined gross weight of 8,725 kilogrammes and an estimated street value exceeding ₦6.98 billion.

In another operation at Tin Can Island Port on October 12, officers discovered 55 kilogrammes of Canadian Loud, a high-potency cannabis strain, concealed in a Toyota Sienna vehicle inside a 40-foot container. The agency valued the seizure at ₦165 million.

At Idumota Market on October 14, operatives arrested Elizabeth Chidera Kalu and recovered 10,600 ampoules of diazepam injection and 6,500 tablets identified by the agency as Molly.

Two men, Idowu Daudu and Ahmed Oniyinde, were also arrested in Mushin on October 15 with 59.95 kilogrammes and 61.23 kilogrammes of cannabis, respectively.

In a separate operation along Iyana Oba, NDLEA officers intercepted a truck reportedly coming from Trade Fair Market. A search led to the recovery of 18,000 tablets of tramadol 250mg concealed in cartons labelled as Rambo insecticide.

The suspects were identified as Tajudeen Adeduntan, a loading manager, and his assistant, Azeez Sikiru.

85-year-old woman among suspects arrested in Edo

In Edo State, NDLEA operatives conducted raids in Warake, Ivhiaro and Ewe/Irue communities in Owan East Local Government Area between October 15 and 16.

The agency said six suspects were arrested, including 85-year-old Grace Ehimeka, who was allegedly found with 179 kilogrammes of cannabis in Warake.

Other suspects included Ayo Aigberadion, 53, allegedly found with 220.8 kilogrammes of cannabis at Ewe/Irue; Ali Garba, 57, with 5.852 kilogrammes; and Habib Braimoh, 45, with 100 grammes.

Musa Mubid, 35, was reportedly arrested with two kilogrammes of cannabis, cannabis seeds, tramadol, Swinol and diazepam, while Hope Okoro, 35, was allegedly found with 237 grammes of Canadian Loud.

The arrests and seizures were announced by the agency; the allegations against the suspects have not been established by a court in the information provided.

Cannabis farm destroyed in Ondo

In Ondo State, operatives raided a cannabis farm in the Okemoro Isinbode camp forest on October 17 and destroyed plants estimated by the agency to weigh 7,500 kilogrammes across three hectares.

Five suspects were arrested: Asikpo Ekpeyoung, 43; Solomon Okpani, 22; Ubong Friday, 35; Joseph Friday, 22; and Ekenimi Seth, 35.

The NDLEA also reported recovering 92 bags of cannabis weighing 1,267 kilogrammes, 11 kilogrammes of cannabis seeds and three kilogrammes of fresh stems, giving a combined weight of 1,281 kilogrammes for the recovered exhibits.

In Owo, officers reportedly recovered 375 kilogrammes of cannabis from 25 bags at a hideout in Ameyinti after tracking down 53-year-old Okunebe Ndidi on October 16.

Large drug consignments intercepted in Bauchi, Kano and Kaduna

In Bauchi State, officers intercepted a Volkswagen Golf wagon driven by 35-year-old Shamsu Garba at Ragwam village in Katagum Local Government Area on October 14.

The agency said the operation resulted in the recovery of 894,800 pills and capsules of tramadol and Exol-5 tablets.

On the same day, officers patrolling the Bauchi-Gombe Road recovered 291 blocks of cannabis weighing 265 kilogrammes from an abandoned vehicle at Tudun Natsira village.

In Kano State, Ali Abdullahi, 38, and Ibrahim Adamu, 23, were arrested along the Zaria-Kano Road on October 13 with 30,100 tablets of tramadol 225mg.

A 54-year-old man, Murtala Dayyabu, was also arrested at Niger Street, Malan Kato, on October 14 with 100,000 tablets of Exol-5, according to the agency.

In Kaduna State, a raid at Kayimi village led to the arrest of Mohammed Sani, 48; Zaharadeen Shafiu, 29; and Yakubu Abdullahi, 20, with 496.5 kilogrammes of cannabis.

Another suspect, John Ayo David, 39, was arrested at Food Palace on Ali Akilu Road with 49,500 tablets of tramadol 225mg.

In Abuja, NDLEA operatives arrested 42-year-old Odo Jonas Ejike in the Utako area on October 17 with 29,500 capsules of tramadol.

NDLEA pledges continued enforcement

Beyond the seizures and arrests, the agency said its commands continued public awareness activities under its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign.

The outreach programmes included lectures and sensitisation sessions at schools, a college of health science and management technology, worship centres and other community institutions across several states.

NDLEA Chairman, Brigadier-General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), commended officers involved in the operations and urged them to sustain efforts against drug trafficking networks while continuing prevention and public education initiatives.

The agency said its operations were part of its broader efforts to disrupt the supply of illicit drugs and strengthen drug control across the country.