By Deborah Nnamdi
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have arrested a Lekki-based businessman and proprietor of Damillionz Takeout, Arokodare Damil Ebenezer, in connection with the shipment of 60 parcels of Loud, a strong strain of cannabis, from the United States to Nigeria.
A statement by Femi Babafemi, the
Director of Media and Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters in Abuja on Sunday said that the 43-year-old businessman was arrested on Monday
while he was expecting to take the delivery of his latest drug consignment at Bay Lounge, Admiralty Way, in the Lekki area of Lagos, where he does his drug business.
Babafemi disclosed that the suspect’s arrest followed the seizure of his cargo that arrived in Nigeria in seven big cartons at a logistics company in Lagos on 12th March 2025 by NDLEA operatives of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation.
The statement explained that the suspect was taken to his Lekki home for a search during which 94 grams of the same psychoactive substance, cannabis crusher, and other drug paraphernalia were recovered, bringing the total weight of the drug seized from the suspect to 32.24 kilograms. According to him, the suspect claimed he started the drug business in 2017.
In a similar development, Babafemi said an attempt by another businessman, Omoruyi Terry, to export 1,400 pills of tramadol 225mg, weighing 800 grams to Italy was thwarted by NDLEA officers at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.
Babafemi disclosed that Omoruyi was intercepted at the screening point of terminal 2 of the Lagos airport on his way to Italy via a Qatar Airways flight. Investigation reveals the suspect is an Italy-based frequent traveler and logistics agent.
Announcing other interceptions and seizures, he said: “In Katsina, four suspects: Baraka Abubakar, 40; Haruna Alitine, 23; Muhammad Babangida, 20; and Hamisu Lawal, were arrested on Friday 28th March during an intelligence-led raid operation at Godai village in Daura LGA where 684 blocks of compressed skunk, a strain of cannabis weighing 423kg and 86,000 pills of diazepam were recovered from them. The three male suspects were arrested while repackaging the diazepam tablets into other containers, while Baraka, the female suspect, was apprehended with heaps of skunk in her house.
“Not less than 13,198 kilograms of cannabis sativa were destroyed in Edo forests across parts of the state between Monday 24th and Friday 28th March by NDLEA operatives who also evacuated 158kg of same substance for possible prosecution. The forests where no fewer than four cannabis plantations were discovered and destroyed include: Uhen forest, Ovia North East LGA; Sobe, Owan West LGA; and Amahor forest in Igueben LGA.
“In Niger state, NDLEA officers on patrol along Mokwa-Jebba road on Friday 28th March intercepted a black Toyota Corolla car marked SLM 137 SV and arrested the two occupants in possession of 179 blocks of compressed skunk with a total weight of 77.6kg concealed in false bottom of the vehicle. The two suspects are: Paul Christopher, 46, and Lucky Star Anumie. In another operation, a 50kg skunk was on Saturday, 29th March recovered, from the home of a suspect, Isa Iliya, who is currently at large, in Wawa village, Borgu council area of the state.
“While 108.5kg of skunk was recovered from lockup shops at Aria New Market, in Enugu metropolis, Enugu state by NDLEA operatives on Tuesday 25th March, 25kg of same substance was seized from a suspect Abdulrazak Saka at Kilako Area of Ilorin, Kwara State on Monday 24th March. Another suspect, Suli Saheed, 50, was nabbed with 2.5 kilograms of Ghanaian Loud and 515 grams of Colorado at Olomi Academy area of Ibadan, Oyo state.”
The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) commended the officers and men of MMIA, DOGI, Edo, Kwara, Niger, Enugu, Oyo, and Katsina commands of the agency for the arrests and seizures.
