By Mashe Umaru Gwamna
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted over 1.3 million pills of tramadol and other opioids, alongside 6,000 kilograms of potent cannabis strains, carrying a combined street value of over N3.4 billion.
The seizures followed a series of major operations across Lagos, Edo, Niger, Delta, Ondo, Gombe, Imo, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Among the key breakthroughs was the seizure of 1,200 parcels of Canadian Loud—a high-potency synthetic cannabis strain—weighing 603.75 kilograms and valued at N1,811,250,000.
Operatives also arrested a drug trafficker who impersonated a senior police officer to bypass security checkpoints while transporting illicit consignments across state lines.
According to a statement by Femi Babafemi, Director of Media and Advocacy at NDLEA headquarters, on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, NDLEA officers along the Benin-Onitsha Expressway in Asaba, Delta state arrested 49-year-old Innocent Ekpe, who was carrying 292.48 kilograms of skunk in a silver Toyota Sienna bus.
It added that investigations revealed that Ekpe had paraded himself as Godwin Emeka, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, using a forged ID card to evade security scrutiny.
It noted that an accomplice, 39-year-old Nduka Joseph, was arrested alongside him.
It revealed that in Edo State, while acting on intelligence, operatives raided an auto-repair workshop on Agbor Road, Benin City, arresting 45-year-old mechanic, Matthew Ossai, who used his shop as a front for drug storage.
It added that officers recovered 48 kilograms of Canadian Loud, 152 grams of methamphetamine, and a metal storage chest.
Also, in Tin-Can Island Port, Lagos, based on processed intelligence, a 40-foot container shipped from Montreal, Canada—which arrived on September 12—was placed under surveillance.
It disclosed that a joint physical examination with Nigeria Customs and other security agencies on Wednesday, September 16, uncovered 1,200 parcels of Canadian Loud (603.75 kg) hidden inside 31 jumbo bags across two Toyota Sienna vehicles within the container.
“Niger State: On Tuesday, September 15, patrol officers along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway at Chachi, Tafa LGA, intercepted Bashir Usman (20), Abubakar Nuhu (18), and Abdulrahman Abdulwahab (18).
“Concealed in their travel bag were two locally fabricated AK-47 rifles, a locally made pistol, two magazines, and nine rounds of 9mm ammunition.
“FCT / Abaji Highway: On Friday, September 18, officers arrested Aminu Isyaku (23) and Jamilu Habibu (25) along the Abaji-Abuja Highway. They intercepted over 1.1 million assorted tramadol tablets/capsules, codeine syrup, methamphetamine, and Exol tablets hidden in eight sacks en route from Onitsha, Anambra State, to Mararaba, Nasarawa State.
“Lagos State: On Friday, September 18, Onyeka Ofor was arrested at his residence in Aguda, Surulere, with 48,900 pills of 225mg tramadol. At a logistics firm, officers seized seven cartons of cannabis sativa weighing 59 kg and arrested Luke Ugokwe. Additionally, Ibrahim Hudu (43) was apprehended at Apongbo on Thursday, September 17, with 998.38 kg of nitrous oxide gas.
“Gombe State: On Friday, September 18, officers recovered 154,480 tramadol capsules following the arrests of Sabi’u Umar (27) at the Barunde area and Hassana Muhammad (19) at the Gombe Main Market.
“Imo & Ondo States: In Imo, Ifesinachi Godwin (25) was arrested along the Owerri-Onitsha Road on Friday, September 18, with 43.85 kg of skunk.
“ In Ondo, operatives raided and destroyed a 5,000 kg skunk plantation spanning two hectares in the Ita-Ogbolu forest on Tuesday, September 15, arresting Blessing Effiong, Saviour Peter, David Friday Sunday, and Ability Peter Sunday, while recovering 48 kg of processed cannabis for prosecution.
Parallel to enforcement operations, NDLEA commands nationwide maintained their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization activities in schools, places of worship, workplaces, and local communities. Recent initiatives included lectures at St. Ferdinand School (Ogbomoso, Oyo State), Unizik Secondary School (Awka, Anambra State), Scholars Nursery and Primary School (Epe, Lagos State), and Government Technical Training School (Jalingo, Taraba State),” the statement stated.
It was gathered revealed that the Delta Ports Command also paid a WADA advocacy visit to His Royal Majesty, King Couple Mackson Oromoni Mobene III, Pere Ama-Okosu of Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Kingdom.
Commending the officers across the participating commands for their professionalism and intelligence-driven execution, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), urged operatives nationwide to sustain the agency’s balanced approach to drug control.
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