The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested the founder and General Overseer of The Turn of Mercy Church, Prophet Adefolusho Aanu Olasele (alias Abbas Ajakaiye) for orchestrating multiple illicit drug shipments into Nigeria.
The cleric, who had been on the run for months, was apprehended on Sunday, August 3, 2025, at his church located along Okun Ajah, Ogombo Road in the Lekki area of Lagos. NDLEA operatives waited until the conclusion of a worship service before taking him into custody.
According to NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi, Prophet Adefolusho fled to Ghana in June after two significant seizures of Ghana Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, were traced back to him. The first, involving 200 kilograms, was intercepted at Okun Ajah beach on June 4. A second haul, totaling 700 kilograms, was recovered from his church’s delivery van on July 6.
In an alleged confession, NDLEA said the cleric admitted to trafficking the drugs via waterways from Ghana and revealed he had narrowly escaped capture on two prior occasions before fleeing abroad.
The arrest was one of several significant operations carried out by the NDLEA in the past week across multiple states, as the agency ramps up its nationwide crackdown on illicit drug trafficking and abuse.
In Lagos, NDLEA operatives raided an apartment at Kishi House, Parkview Estate, Ikoyi, on August 7, where a suspect, Benjamin Udo Ukoh, was arrested with 15.63 kilograms of Canadian Loud cannabis. In Nasarawa State, a major seizure of 3,093 kilograms of skunk was made in New Karu on August 9, leading to the arrest of three suspects: Emmanuel Asoquo Johnny (51), Okem Raphael (33), and Chekwube Odo (25).
In Kano, a series of operations led to the arrest of multiple traffickers. On August 8, 639 blocks of skunk weighing 359 kilograms were recovered from Nura Yahaya (29) in Geza, Kumbotso LGA. Two days earlier, Umar Adamu Umar (27) was arrested along the Zaria-Kano road with 9 kilograms of Colorado cannabis. On August 8, Usman Musa (30) was found in possession of 20,000 tramadol pills and 200 ampoules of diazepam injection at Gadar Tamburawa.
In Gombe State, NDLEA agents raided an uncompleted building in Tudun Wada, Pantami, on August 8, where they uncovered a stockpile of 550,266 opioid pills, mostly tramadol. One suspect, Usama Isah, was arrested during the operation. A day later, 23-year-old Ibrahim Adamu was intercepted along Potiskum Road in Bajoga with 50,000 tramadol capsules.
In Edo State, operatives intercepted a white Toyota Hiace bus traveling from Onitsha to Isanlu at Ewu Junction on August 6. A search led to the recovery of 23,940 tramadol capsules, 1,100 tablets, and 400 ampoules of pentazocine injection. The suspect, Taiye Jethro, was arrested at the scene.
Meanwhile, NDLEA formations across the country continued the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign with renewed vigor. Sensitization programs were held in schools, religious centers, military formations, and communities. Highlights included enlightenment lectures at Mind City College in Saki (Oyo) and Gwagwarwa Primary School in Kano, engagements with Nigerian Army officers in Yobe, visits to the Nigerian Correctional Service in Ado Ekiti, and advocacy meetings with the Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly and the Engine Grinders Association in Gboko, Benue State.
NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), praised the efforts of commands in Lagos, Nasarawa, Gombe, Kano, and Edo States for their recent successes. He urged officers nationwide to sustain the momentum and continue deploying balanced strategies in the agency’s ongoing efforts to curb drug trafficking and abuse.
