By Didimoko A. Didimoko
A major anti-drug sweep across Nigeria has led to multiple arrests and large seizures of cocaine, cannabis and controlled drugs, with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency recording fresh successes at airports, seaports and highways.
The headline arrest happened at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, where a Nigerian businessman arriving from Brazil was stopped during passenger checks. NDLEA officers said intelligence reports flagged the traveller, leading to further screening.
After a body scan and detailed search, officials found cocaine packages hidden on his body and inside his footwear. The suspect, identified as 47-year-old Uche Franklin Onyekwere, was found with three wraps of cocaine weighing about 1.6kg. He reportedly told investigators he bought the drugs overseas to sell in Nigeria to support his business and cover family expenses. He also said he had lived in São Paulo for years running a toy trade.
Container, Truck and Border Interceptions
At Tincan Port in Lagos, anti-narcotics officers working with Customs uncovered a container shipment from Canada loaded with cannabis concealed inside two vehicles. The consignment contained dozens of jumbo bags weighing over one tonne.
In Niger State, a truck was stopped along the Dei-Dei–Abuja road based on intelligence. A search uncovered hundreds of bags of skunk and a quantity of Colorado. Three suspects were arrested. Authorities said the truck had earlier delivered flour before it was contracted to move the drugs for a large payment.
Farm Raid and Road Arrests in Edo
Operations in Edo State produced several results. One suspect was arrested while transporting cannabis hidden in charcoal sacks on a major expressway. In another operation, a large cannabis plantation was raided and destroyed, with processed drugs and seeds recovered. Four persons were taken into custody during that exercise.
More Seizures in Onitsha, Ondo, Kano, Lagos Borders
In Anambra, officers intercepted a cement truck in Onitsha and discovered cannabis hidden inside cement bags. One suspect was arrested in connection with the find.
Ondo command arrested two men with hundreds of kilogrammes of skunk in Akure North area.
In Kano, NDLEA operatives recovered thousands of pentazocine injections and tramadol tablets from two suspects arrested in separate locations.
Additional arrests were made in Lagos and at the Seme border, where officers intercepted smaller cannabis consignments linked to interstate and cross-border movement.
NDLEA Leadership Reacts
The NDLEA boss praised officers involved in the various operations across commands and urged them not to relax enforcement efforts. The agency also said its drug awareness campaign programme continues nationwide, targeting schools, workplaces, religious centres and local communities.
