Crime
PHOTOS: NDLEA Intercepts Cocaine, Tramadol Hidden In Car Mirrors, Lipsticks, Footwears
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has made a series of high-profile arrests and seizures across Nigeria, including a major bust at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, where operatives intercepted consignments of cocaine and tramadol hidden in 71 vehicle side mirrors bound for Libreville, Gabon.
It was reports that the operation, which led to the arrest of at least three suspects, was one of several anti-narcotic actions taken nationwide between July 19 and August 2, 2025.
According to NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, the first bust occurred on Saturday, July 19, when officers at MMIA intercepted 57,420 pills of tramadol 225mg and 57 pellets of cocaine (1.60kg) in a cargo consignment heading to Gabon via Air Côte d’Ivoire.
A popular cargo agent, Ihekweme Osinachi Benedict, was immediately arrested. Follow-up investigations led to the arrest of Uzochukwu Godspower Chukwurah the following day.
A further raid on Uzochukwu’s residence on July 21 yielded another 11 parcels of cocaine weighing 1kg, raising the total haul to 68 cocaine parcels (2.6kg).
Cocaine Disguised as Lipsticks for Export to Malabo
In a separate operation, a businesswoman, Nwafor Roseann Nneka, was arrested at her shop in the Trade Fair Complex, Ojo, Lagos, for attempting to export 100 grams of cocaine and 300 grams of phenacetine (a cutting agent) concealed inside ladies’ lipsticks to Malabo, Equatorial Guinea.
Two cargo agents linked to the shipment had earlier been arrested before the NDLEA closed in on Mrs. Nwafor. She confessed to purchasing the lipsticks while her husband, Remigus Nwafor, now on the run, handled the drug concealment.
On July 30, operatives in Abuja arrested three dispatch riders, Sabo Sule (24), Samuel Nnamdi (28), and Idris Jibrin (28), caught distributing drugs in Gwarimpa, Jahi, and Galadimawa areas. Recovered from them were 149.8 grams of Canadian Loud, a potent cannabis strain.
Two others, Aliyu Abubakar (25) and Adekunle Agbabiaka (30), were also arrested along the Abaji-Gwagwalada expressway with 91.1kg of skunk.
Meanwhile, in Lagos, one Joseph Michael, was arrested in Mushin with 3.3kg of synthetic cannabis known as Colorado on August 2, while Ibrahim Sulaiman was caught in Iwaya, Yaba, with 16.5 litres of skuchies on August 1.
In Benue State, Hussein Yusuf (37) was arrested at an NDLEA checkpoint along the Vandeikya-Ogoja road with over 100,000 tramadol pills. In Edo, a raid on a warehouse in Ekpoma led to the arrest of William Alabi (44) and the seizure of 233.5kg of skunk.
More Seizures Across States
Borno: Umar Aminu (38) was arrested at the Maiduguri airport with 160 tramadol pills hidden in his shoes.
Ogun: Yahaya Aminat Seyi was nabbed in Oja Odan with 7,218 pills of opioids.
Oyo: Oladeji Saka (54) was caught with 77.5kg of skunk in Ibadan.
Delta: Benson Izah (40) was arrested in Abraka with 12.5kg of skunk, 1kg of tramadol, and 14.4 litres of codeine.
Bayelsa: Chief Emeka Opara (52) and Onuoha Chidinma (25) were arrested in Amassoma with 41,705 tramadol capsules.
Kano: Bashir Gambo (30) was arrested in Tudun Wada with 61kg of skunk.
Osun: Kabiru Ayinde (40) and Roqeeb Adekanmbi (25) were arrested in Iwo town with 90kg of skunk, 36.3g of methamphetamine, a Toyota bus, and ₦228,200 in cash.
NDLEA Sustains WADA Campaign Nationwide
The agency also continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaign in schools, worship centres, and workplaces. Notable activities include:
Lecture at Ciroma Ibrahim Islamiyya School, Potiskum, Yobe
Outreach at Sultan Maccido Institute, Wamakko, Sokoto
Engagement with Borno Express Transport drivers
Sensitisation at Seventh Day Adventist Church, Enugu
Advocacy visit to Oluwo of Iwo, Osun State
Reacting, the NDLEA Chairman/CEO, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) commended officers across the MMIA, MBIAM, FCT, Lagos, Edo, Benue, Kano, Osun, and other commands for their diligence, urging them to maintain momentum in the agency’s balanced drug control efforts.
“Our approach combines enforcement and advocacy, and every officer must remain committed to both arms of our strategy,” he said.
The operations reflect NDLEA’s continuing resolve to disrupt drug trafficking networks and safeguard communities across the nation.
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The Delta State High Court in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area, has remanded a 30-year-old man, Victor Joseph, for allegedly def!ling his neighbour’s seven-year-old daughter.
The case, presided over by High Court 3, has been adjourned until August 19, 2025.
Joseph reportedly admitted to luring the child on multiple occasions and committing the offence under the pretext that he “loved” her.
The incident occurred at Okuboh Street, Effurun. Neighbours apprehended the suspect after the latest assault and handed him over to the Ugborikoko Police Division following a severe beating.
Medical examination confirmed that the child’s hymen had been ruptured.
Joseph allegedly tricked the girl into his apartment twice before, covering her mouth with cloth when her mother was away and threatening to k!ll her if she told anyone.
The latest alleged assault prompted the intervention of community members and human rights advocates.
Comrade Kelvin Ejumudo, Senior Special Assistant to the Delta State Governor on Human Rights, who has been closely following the case to ensure justice is served emphasised the need for strong legal action to deter such crimes and safeguard vulnerable children in the state.
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Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 6 Brigade and operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have rescued Engineer Joshua Saleh, a lecturer at Taraba State University, who was abducted along the Chinkai–Kente–Wukari road on July 31.
The rescue operation, which was carried out in the early hours of Saturday, August 2, was the result of a coordinated effort between troops of Sector 3, Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), and the DSS.
In a statement issued by the Army on Sunday in Jalingo, the troops acted on credible intelligence and launched a targeted search-and-rescue mission across key locations including Kente, Sondi 1 and 2, Yaku, and the Warawa general area in Wukari Local Government Area.
According to the statement, the troops encountered the abductors and engaged them in a fierce gun duel, forcing them to abandon their victim and flee.
“Engineer Saleh was found unharmed and has since been reunited with his family,” the statement added.
Commander 6 Brigade/Sector 3 OPWS, Brig.-Gen. Kingsley Chidiebere Uwa, commended the troops for their gallantry and swift response.
He also lauded the synergy between the Army and DSS, noting that the operation demonstrated high-level professionalism and coordination among security agencies.
Uwa reaffirmed the Army’s commitment to the protection of lives and property in Taraba and urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements to security agencies.
The rescue comes amid renewed military operations across Taraba to clamp down on banditry, kidnapping, and other criminal activities.
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Troops of Sector 2, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), in collaboration with the Civilian Joint Task Force, have neutralised three Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists during a long-range clearance patrol in Borno State.
The offensive operation, which stretched deep into the Bulabulin forest axis towards Magumeri, resulted in a heavy gun duel around the Borno Yesu general area.
The source said the air component of OPHK provided close air support and surveillance coordination during the engagement, which enabled the troops to overrun the terrorists’ position.
“At the end of the encounter, three terrorists were neutralised. Troops recovered three AK-47 rifles, four fully loaded magazines, 120 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, grenades, two bandoliers, combat packs, and two brand new motorcycles,”a security source said.
“The Special Forces Tactical Team continues to dominate the general area while projecting force further to make additional contact, disrupt terrorist logistics, and rob them of freedom of action.”
He added that the troops’ morale and fighting efficiency remained high as the clearance operations continued.
The military has intensified operations in the North-East to restore normalcy and facilitate safe return of displaced communities.
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