NDLEA RECOVERS LARGE CONSIGNMENTS OF ILLICIT DRUGS IN MULTIPLE STATES, FOILS TRAFFICKING ATTEMPTS
Abuja, Nigeria, March 23, 2026
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have recorded major successes in ongoing nationwide operations, recovering large consignments of illicit drugs across Lagos, Kano, Kaduna, Edo, Oyo, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Taraba, and Adamawa States.
The agency also thwarted desperate attempts by drug trafficking organisations (DTOs) to smuggle methamphetamine and opioids to Europe using concealed methods such as carton walls, winter jackets, and body cream containers.
At the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos, NDLEA operatives intercepted multiple consignments bound for Italy and arrested suspects linked to the shipments. One of them, 37-year-old Friday Ehianuka, was apprehended on March 20, 2026, while attempting to board an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Rome. He was found with 2,698 pills of tramadol 225mg concealed in containers of skin-lightening body cream. The suspect, a resident of Milan, reportedly confessed he was promised payment in Euros upon successful delivery.
In another operation at the airport on March 18, NDLEA officers intercepted 38-year-old Christian Agbonhese, who was heading to Milan via a Lufthansa Airlines flight. A search of his luggage uncovered 28,470 pills of opioids, including tramadol and tapentadol, hidden inside two large winter jackets.
At a courier firm in Lagos, operatives also intercepted two parcels containing 1 kilogram of a strong strain of cannabis, popularly known as “Loud,” shipped from the United States. Additionally, an attempt to export 158 grams of methamphetamine concealed in the walls of a carton to New Zealand was foiled.
Similar enforcement operations across the FCT, Kano, Kaduna, Taraba, Edo, Oyo, and Adamawa States led to further seizures and arrests, reinforcing the agency’s commitment to curbing drug trafficking nationwide.
Meanwhile, NDLEA commands across the country sustained their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization campaign, conducting awareness programmes in schools, workplaces, worship centres, and communities. Beneficiaries included students and staff of institutions in Ebonyi, Lagos, Cross River, Enugu, and Ogun States, among others.
Commending the efforts of officers across various commands, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), urged personnel to remain steadfast in maintaining a balanced approach to drug control through both enforcement and preventive education.
The agency reaffirmed its resolve to intensify operations and partnerships aimed at dismantling drug networks and safeguarding public health and safety across Nigeria.