Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have uncovered a string of high-profile drug smuggling attempts, including the concealment of cannabis, popularly called Loud, in imported microwaves and cocaine stuffed inside ladies’ lipsticks.
In a statement signed by NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi,the agency also apprehended a wanted drug kingpin and destroyed over 28,000kg of cannabis on farmlands in Edo State.
Acting on intelligence, NDLEA operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, on Monday, July 7, intercepted 23 parcels of Loud weighing 11.3kg, ingeniously concealed in brand-new microwaves imported from Thailand via Addis Ababa. The consignment, part of a consolidated cargo flown in aboard an Ethiopian Airlines flight, led to the arrest of Ezenwegbu Chike.
Barely a week after seizing 420 grams of cocaine hidden in 84 lipsticks bound for the UK, NDLEA agents at the airport’s export shed made another startling discovery. A separate consignment of 400 grams of cocaine and phenacetine was found packed inside lipsticks disguised among hair attachments and cosmetics headed to Malabo, Guinea. This led to the arrest of Ezeikwelume Prince Afam, a businessman based at the Trade Fair Complex, Lagos, on Friday, July 11.
Notorious Kingpin Falls After a Year on the Run
In a major breakthrough, the NDLEA arrested Okechukwu Izugha, alias Okey Omeogo, a notorious drug kingpin who had evaded capture for nearly 12 months. He was apprehended on Wednesday, July 9, at his wife’s shop in Ijesha Market, Lagos.
Izugha came under the agency’s radar on August 7, 2024, after 9kg of cocaine linked to him was seized from a courier in Orile. His wife, Maureen Izugha, was previously arrested with 500 grams of cocaine and sentenced to two years’ imprisonment in January 2025. Unaware the agency was still trailing him, Izugha resurfaced and was immediately taken into custody.
NDLEA Destroys 28,000kg Skunk in Edo, Rescues Officers from Gun Attack
In a daring operation on Tuesday, July 8, NDLEA agents stormed three cannabis farms spanning over 11 hectares at Ewere Uzebba Forest in Owan West LGA of Edo State, destroying a massive 28,054.053kg of skunk. An additional 82kg of processed cannabis was recovered.
As the operatives exited the forest, they came under heavy gunfire from cartel enforcers but managed to repel the attack unscathed. However, one operational vehicle was riddled with bullets during the assault.
More Seizures Across States
In Lagos, a Ford delivery truck loaded with 1,400 compressed blocks of Ghana Loud (700kg) was intercepted at Okun-Ajah Beach, while two suspects, Innocent Ejidiobo and Friday Paul, were apprehended with 26kg of Loud, 123g of methamphetamine, and 45g of Molly along the Ajah–Epe expressway on Friday, July 11.
In other parts of the country:
- Borno: Godwin Chimaobi Nwaobi (42) was arrested with 18,759 ampoules of pentazocine and other opioids at Njimtilo, Maiduguri, on Saturday, July 12.
- Gombe: 116,226 pills of tramadol and D5 were recovered from five suspects in Gombe main market and along Gombe–Kano road.
- Taraba: Three suspects were arrested at Lanka Viri checkpoint with 577,890 pills of opioids and 1.16kg of skunk, concealed in a fuel tanker.
- Kogi: Sabiu Bala was nabbed with 316.6kg of skunk on Okene–Lokoja expressway.
- Kaduna: Haladu Suleiman (38) was caught with 58.805kg of skunk in Gubuchi, Ikara LGA.
- Kano: Three others were intercepted with 48.1kg of skunk near Janguza Barracks.
War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) Campaign Expands
The NDLEA also continued its WADA sensitization campaign with lectures at schools and communities nationwide. Awareness sessions were held in Cross River, Kano, Enugu, Lagos, Anambra, and Abia, targeting students, teachers, and traditional leaders.
Marwa Commends Officers
NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), lauded the dedication and bravery of operatives across the MMIA, Special Operations Unit, and state commands. He praised their commitment to curbing drug trafficking while maintaining a fair balance between drug supply suppression and demand reduction.
“The agency remains focused on dismantling drug networks, bringing offenders to justice, and strengthening prevention through education and advocacy,” Marwa stated.
