NDLEA Intercepts Massive Drug Shipments Across Nigeria
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has successfully intercepted large shipments of illicit drugs in several states across Nigeria, making a series of significant arrests. In a statement issued by Femi Babafemi, Director of Media and Advocacy at NDLEA, the agency detailed several high-profile operations that disrupted illegal drug activities.
One of the most significant busts occurred at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, where an import/export businessman, Olisaka Chibuzo Calistus, was apprehended while attempting to smuggle 256 wraps of cocaine, weighing 6 kilograms, into the country. This operation marked the largest cocaine interception at the Kano airport since 2006. The drugs were concealed within Calistus’ body and were seized during the clearance of passengers from an Ethiopian Airlines flight from Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Another major arrest took place at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, where Olanrewaju Bada Akorede, an ex-convict, was caught trying to export Rohypnol to South Africa. Akorede, who had previously been convicted for similar offenses, attempted to smuggle the drugs hidden in a cargo of gari, shoes, and men’s clothing. Despite having paid a ₦900,000 fine to avoid imprisonment for a previous offense, he was once again arrested.
In Lagos, the NDLEA also detained Italy-based businesswoman Cynthia Akaeen, who was caught attempting to board a flight to Italy with 9,190 tramadol tablets, weighing 6 kilograms. The seizure of these tablets further highlights the agency’s ongoing crackdown on illegal drug trafficking.
The NDLEA’s efforts were not limited to airports. A significant raid in Onitsha, Anambra State, led to the discovery of 418,330 pills of tramadol and tapentadol, along with 8,000 bottles of codeine syrup. Similarly, in Maiduguri, Borno State, multiple operations resulted in the seizure of tramadol capsules, cannabis, ammunition, and other psychoactive substances.
Additional operations were conducted in Oyo and Enugu States, while a joint security operation at Tincan Island Port, Lagos, resulted in the interception of 180,000 bottles of codeine syrup concealed in a container from India.
The NDLEA’s recent actions underscore the agency’s continued commitment to combating drug trafficking and reducing the availability of illicit substances across Nigeria.