By Adeyemi David
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have recorded major successes in ongoing anti-narcotics operations, intercepting multiple illicit drug consignments and arresting several suspects across the country, including three traffickers who excreted a combined 236 wraps of cocaine after being apprehended at international airports.
A China-based Nigerian businessman, Ibeanu Vincent Chukwudulue, alongside two Angolan nationals, Mbandu Martins Makiadi and Ngoma Wilson Fernando, were arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport and the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, respectively.
Chukwudulue, 34, was intercepted on February 4 while boarding a Qatar Airways flight from Kano to China via Abuja and Doha. Acting on intelligence, NDLEA operatives conducted a body scan that confirmed he had ingested illicit drugs. Under observation, he later excreted 52 cocaine pellets weighing 735.95 grams.
The suspect disclosed he previously operated a business on Lagos Island before relocating to Guangzhou, China, in 2024.
On the same day in Kano, Angolan suspects Makiadi, 50, and Fernando, 52, were intercepted during passenger clearance for an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Istanbul through Addis Ababa.
Body scans revealed both had swallowed drugs. Makiadi excreted 76 wraps weighing 920 grams, while Fernando expelled 108 pellets weighing 1.33 kilograms.
The duo claimed they were recruited by a spare parts dealer in Luanda who promised each of them $3,000 upon successful delivery in Turkey.
In a related development, NDLEA operatives thwarted an attempt by convicted drug kingpin Olashupo Michael Oladimeji to export 1.10 kilograms of cocaine concealed in processed cassava granules, popularly known as garri, to London through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.
Oladimeji, currently serving a five-year jail term at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre following his conviction by the Federal High Court in 2025, allegedly orchestrated the smuggling attempt from prison using his logistics company.
NDLEA officers intercepted the cocaine hidden inside a sack of garri packed in a carton at the airport’s export shed.
A staff member of the company, Adedeji Yusuf Gbolahan, who presented the consignment, was arrested, while investigations indicated the convict had directed him to collect the package from Oshodi.
Similarly, NDLEA officers foiled an attempt by estate surveyor Adelaja Taiwo Adetayo to export 1.70 kilograms of skunk concealed in five jerry cans to the United Kingdom.
Cargo agent Mustapha Quddus Opeyemi was initially arrested, leading to Adetayo’s capture during a follow-up operation in Lagos.
In Abuja, operatives intercepted a waybill from Enugu containing a children’s toy guitar used to conceal 59.2 grams of Canadian Loud, a cannabis strain.
A subsequent operation led to the arrest of the owner, Henry Onuma, at Dream City Estate, Life Camp.
In Lagos, officers raided a four-bedroom duplex in the Ikate-Elegushi area of Lekki used for producing synthetic cannabis known as “Colorado.”
The operation followed the seizure of 73 cartons of nitrous oxide at Ajah–Epe Expressway intended for onward distribution to Benin City.
The vehicle driver, Amos Innocent, and a suspect, Victor Oyedeji, were arrested, while 13.2 kilograms of the substance and precursor chemicals were recovered.
Elsewhere, a suspected female drug dealer, Oluwayemisi Bunmi, 45, was arrested in Ibadan with 1.189 kilograms of Colorado and skunk, 320 grams of methamphetamine, ₦2.975 million in cash, and two vehicles.
In Kwara State, NDLEA operatives recovered 105,400 tramadol pills from a suspect, Kamilu Abdullahi, after intercepting his vehicle at Bode Saadu.
Meanwhile, five suspects were arrested in Ovia North-East of Edo State when operatives raided the Yoruba Camp in Olumoye Forest, recovering 563.5 kilograms of skunk.
The agency also sustained its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaigns nationwide, reaching schools, workplaces, worship centres, and communities with drug prevention messages.
Commending officers across various commands for the arrests and seizures, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive, Mohamed Buba Marwa, urged personnel to maintain a balanced strategy targeting both drug supply reduction and demand prevention efforts.
