Cocaine and Cannabis Seizures Highlight Nigeria’s Drug Enforcement Efforts
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have made several significant seizures of illicit drugs, showcasing their ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking across Nigeria. The agency has intercepted large quantities of cocaine and cannabis that were cleverly concealed in everyday items such as food flasks and snack packs.
One of the most notable operations took place at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos. On Thursday, April 9, 2026, NDLEA operatives discovered 12 large parcels of cocaine weighing 2.80 kilograms hidden in the false bottom of food flasks. These consignments were bound for the United Kingdom via a Virgin Atlantic flight. The seizure led to the arrest of two cargo agents, Ama Obinna Ufeim (33) and Ogabi Monday Akorede (39). Further investigations revealed that a 52-year-old freight forwarder, Agoro Moninuola, was the sender of the consignment, and he was arrested in a follow-up operation.
In a related development, NDLEA operatives at the import shed of the Lagos airport intercepted 2.90 kilograms of “Loud,” a potent strain of cannabis, concealed in snack food packs. This consignment arrived from the United States aboard a Delta Air Lines flight on April 8. Two cargo clearing agents, Animashaun Moshood Adetunji and Mercy Gabriel Oluwasegun, were initially arrested in connection with the seizure before the consignee, Saheed Adeshina Adegoke, a 29-year-old fashion designer, was arrested in a follow-up operation at 3 Oba Ogunji Road, Ogba, Lagos, on Monday, April 13.
Expansion of Drug Crackdown Across Nigeria
Outside Lagos, NDLEA operatives intensified their crackdown on illicit drugs. In Kaduna State, officers on patrol along the Kaduna–Zaria highway intercepted a cement-laden trailer transporting 847 kilograms of skunk, another cannabis variant. The driver, Umar Haruna (33), was arrested.
In Cross River State, a 53-year-old woman, Alice Udoh, was apprehended on April 16 when NDLEA operatives, supported by soldiers, raided a forest in the Uwet community, Akamkpa Local Government Area. During the operation, 15,000 kilograms of skunk cultivated on six hectares of farmland were destroyed, while 119 kilograms were recovered.
Similarly, in Edo State, officers raided a cannabis farm in Saboro Camp, Ovia North East Local Government Area, destroying 2,281.43 kilograms of the substance. Three suspects — Nweke Smart (27), Christopher Egbe (62), and Monday Ayan (45) — were arrested, with 38.5 kilograms of cannabis and seeds recovered from two of them.
In Delta State, two suspects, Sunday Odili (49) and Ijenebe Joshua (39), were arrested with 87.838 kilograms of skunk and seeds in the Okwo area.
Continued Operations in Lagos
Back in Lagos, NDLEA operatives arrested two suspects, Chinedu Ogbekene and Zindozin Bienvenu, along the Mile 2 axis of the Lagos–Badagry Expressway while transporting 11,900 capsules of tramadol and 400 ampoules of phenobarbital injection to Ghana. On the same day, NDLEA operatives raided a two-storey building at Petti, Lagos Island, where a total of 95.8 kilograms of skunk was recovered.
Leadership Commends Drug Enforcement Efforts
The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Mohamed Buba Marwa, commended the operatives for maintaining a balance between drug supply reduction and public sensitisation under the agency’s War Against Drug Abuse campaign. He urged officers nationwide to sustain the momentum in the fight against drug trafficking.
Key Highlights from Recent Seizures
- Cocaine Seizure in Lagos: 2.80 kg of cocaine found in food flasks bound for the UK.
- Cannabis Seizure in Lagos: 2.90 kg of “Loud” cannabis found in snack packs.
- Skunk Seizure in Kaduna: 847 kg of skunk seized from a cement trailer.
- Cannabis Farm Raid in Cross River: 15,000 kg of skunk destroyed, 119 kg recovered.
- Cannabis Farm Raid in Edo: 2,281.43 kg of cannabis destroyed, three suspects arrested.
- Skunk Seizure in Delta: 87.838 kg of skunk and seeds seized.
- Tramadol and Phenobarbital Seizure in Lagos: 11,900 capsules of tramadol and 400 ampoules of phenobarbital found.
- Skunk Seizure in Lagos: 95.8 kg of skunk recovered from a building raid.
