NDLEA Intercepts Major Shipment of Opioids and Illegal Substances
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) announced on Sunday the successful interception of a significant shipment of various opioids and illegal drugs concealed within construction materials.
Persistent Crackdown on Drug Cartels
Femi Babafemi, the NDLEA’s Media and Advocacy Director-General, stated that the recent arrests are part of an ongoing campaign against drug cartels nationwide. Among those apprehended were a 75-year-old grandfather from Ebonyi State and four notorious female drug dealers, marking a notable blow to the opioid trafficking network particularly in Taraba State.
Significant Drug Discoveries in Taraba State
Babafemi noted that these outcomes stemmed from actionable intelligence which led to the interception of a truck transporting construction materials from Onitsha to Jalingo. A thorough search at the Nukkai Timber Shade in Jalingo uncovered a substantial cache of drugs hidden beneath the cargo, resulting in the arrest of a 22-year-old suspect, Buhari Abdullahi.
Items Recovered During Operations
Among the substantial haul were 320,840 tramadol capsules, 600 ampoules of pentazocine injection, 4,500 Rohypnol tablets, and 299 bottles of codeine-based cough syrup. The variety and sheer volume of these drugs underscore the extensive network operating in the region.
Arrests Across Multiple States
In another operation, the NDLEA operatives apprehended Okebe Samuel, a 75-year-old resident of Okposi in Ebonyi State, who was found with 300 grams of skunk, packaged for sale to local youth. Further actions in Imo State led to the arrest of Chioma Okeke, a 32-year-old female dealer, alongside the recovery of 8 kilograms of skunk at a known drug hub in Umloro, Orlu.
Drug Traffickers Apprehended in Edo State
An intense sweep by NDLEA operatives in Benin City, Edo State, resulted in the arrest of four significant traffickers, including three women. Chioma Igba and Precious Ozoma, both in their early twenties, were apprehended after consuming a dangerous combination of illegal drugs, while another suspect, Anita Abraham, was caught with a substantial quantity of psychotropic substances.
Further Arrests and Ongoing Operations
On June 4, 2026, a swift operation in Kano State culminated in the arrest of a 19-year-old suspect, Saifullahi Lawan, who was found with 38 kilograms of skunk. Additionally, operatives in Gombe State captured 28-year-old Ugwu Sabastin Ifebuchi near Dantiti Square, where he was in possession of 15,000 tramadol capsules.
Reinforcing Anti-Drug Advocacy Efforts
Babafemi emphasized that these achievements have intensified the NDLEA’s commitment to combating drug abuse nationwide. The agency has been actively engaged in educational initiatives, including WADA (War on Drug Abuse) lectures for students across various schools in Oyo, Lagos, Anambra, and Kano states, aiming to raise awareness and prevention against drug abuse.
