-
NDLEA arrests multiple suspects as nationwide raids destroy 70,000kg of cannabis.
-
Drugs destined for US, UK, and DR Congo intercepted at Lagos Airport.
-
Tramadol, skunk, and codeine-based syrup found hidden in snails, bulbs, and female clothes.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has uncovered a series of drug trafficking operations involving consignments concealed in frozen snails, electrical bulbs, and female clothing—destined for the United States, United Kingdom, and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
According to the Agency’s spokesman, Mr Femi Babafemi, the illicit consignments were intercepted at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, and through courier channels during coordinated operations in mid-October.
ATTENTION: Click “HERE” to join our WhatsApp group and receive News updates directly on your WhatsApp!
“At least two suspects linked to attempts to export the illicit substances have already been taken into custody,” Babafemi stated.
In a statement signed by Mr Femi Babafemi, NDLEA disclosed that a cargo agent, Mr Boladale Riliwan, was arrested on 7th October 2025 after presenting a consignment of 15 parcels of skunk concealed in ten pieces of giant rechargeable electrical bulbs for air freight to DRC.
Another suspect, Ms Olawale Oyebola Hakeemot, a UK-based Public Health Assistant, was arrested on 12th October while attempting to board a Qatar Airways flight to Manchester with 2,300 pills of Tramadol 225mg hidden inside frozen snails.
“Attempt by another syndicate to export 810 pills of bromazepam hidden in female clothes going to the United States was also thwarted by NDLEA officers at a courier company in Lagos on Thursday 16th October,” the statement added.
Nationwide Raids and Massive Drug Farm Destruction
In Adamawa State, operatives intercepted a suspect, Mr Bello Buba, with 38,270 pills of tramadol concealed in his car compartments after driving from Benin Republic.
In Ekiti State, NDLEA destroyed 53,250 kilograms of skunk cultivated on a 21.3-hectare farm in Ilawe Ekiti and recovered 1,140kg of the same substance. Suspects arrested include Matthew Emmanuel (26), James Moses (27), and Israel Samuel (20).
A similar operation in Ondo State led to the destruction of 17,400kg of skunk grown on 6.96 hectares in Aponmu Forest Reserve.
In Oyo, four men — Aliyu Muhammed (50), Babarinde Segun (32), Ogunbiyi Sanjo (30), and Ajani Oluro (30) — were arrested with 596kg of skunk. Two others, Jacob Afolabi and Salako Oluwatobi, were caught with 273kg at Igangan, while Joseph Andrew was arrested in Ogun State with 88kg.
READ ALSO: NDLEA Intercepts Drugs Hidden in Frozen Snails, Electrical Bulbs and Clothes in Lagos
In Imo State, Festus Udoh (42) was caught along the Onitsha–Owerri road with 13,000 pills of opioids, while Joseph Chukwujama was found with 74.5kg of skunk in Enugu State.
In Lagos, operatives seized 117kg of skunk from Ramoni Olukowi’s base in Mushin and intercepted a container from India with 80,000 bottles of codeine-based syrup at Apapa Port.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), praised the officers across Lagos, Adamawa, Ekiti, Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, Enugu, and Imo Commands for their resilience and success in recent operations.
He also noted that the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative continued nationwide with sensitisation programmes in schools, worship centres, and workplaces.
“Our officers must not relent in their balanced approach to drug control efforts,” Marwa said.
The NDLEA reaffirmed its commitment to dismantling trafficking syndicates and curbing the rising trend of drug concealment through deceptive export tactics.
