By By Elizabeth Ugbo
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted over 1.3 million opioid pills and 6,000kg of cannabis across eight states and the FCT. The operations took place between September 15 and 18, 2026, as officers targeted drug traffickers and illicit cannabis farms. The seizures have a combined street value of more than N3.4 billion.
NDLEA Seizes 603kg of Canadian Loud in Delta
One of the major operations involved the seizure of 1,200 parcels of Canadian Loud in Delta State.
The synthetic cannabis strain weighed 603.75 kilograms. NDLEA valued the seizure at N1.811 billion.
Operatives also arrested a suspected drug trafficker who allegedly impersonated a senior police officer.
The 49-year-old suspect, Innocent Ekpe, was arrested on Wednesday, September 16.
NDLEA officers intercepted him along the Benin-Onitsha Expressway in Asaba.
He allegedly concealed 292.48 kilograms of skunk inside a silver Toyota Sienna bus.
Investigators said Ekpe posed as Godwin Emeka, a Deputy Superintendent of Police.
He allegedly used a forged police identification card to evade checkpoints.
According to the agency, he used the identity while moving illicit drugs between states.
Officers also arrested his alleged accomplice, 39-year-old Nduka Joseph.
Cannabis and Methamphetamine Recovered in Edo
In Edo State, NDLEA operatives acted on intelligence and raided a location on Agbor Road.
They arrested 45-year-old Matthew Ossai at an auto-repair workshop in Benin City.
The agency said Ossai used the workshop as a cover for drug storage.
Officers recovered 48 kilograms of Canadian Loud from the location.
They also seized 152 grams of methamphetamine and a metal box.
The box allegedly served as storage for the illicit substances.
NDLEA Intercepts Canadian Loud at Tin-Can Port
At Tin-Can Island Port in Lagos, NDLEA officers monitored a 40-foot container.
The container arrived from Montreal, Canada, on September 12.
Operatives placed the shipment under intensive monitoring after receiving intelligence.
NDLEA later conducted a joint physical examination with Customs and other agencies.
The examination took place on Wednesday, September 16.
Officers discovered 1,200 parcels of Canadian Loud weighing 603.75 kilograms.
Traffickers concealed the drugs inside 31 black jumbo bags.
They loaded the bags inside two Toyota Sienna vehicles within the container.
Three Suspects Arrested With Rifles in Niger
In Niger State, NDLEA officers arrested three suspects during a patrol.
The operation took place along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway at Chachi, Tafa LGA.
Officers arrested Bashir Usman, 20, Abubakar Nuhu, 18, and Abdulrahman Abdulwahab, 18.
The suspects allegedly carried two locally fabricated AK-47 rifles and a magazine.
They also had a locally made pistol with a magazine.
Officers recovered nine rounds of 9mm ammunition from a black travel bag.
Over One Million Tramadol Tablets Intercepted
NDLEA officers also arrested two suspects along the Abaji-Abuja highway.
They arrested Aminu Isyaku, 23, and Jamilu Habibu, 25, on Friday, September 18.
The suspects allegedly transported drugs from Onitsha in Anambra State.
The consignment was reportedly heading to Mararaba in Nasarawa State.
Officers recovered more than 1.1 million assorted tramadol tablets and capsules.
They also seized codeine syrup, methamphetamine and Exol tablets.
The drugs were concealed inside eight sacks.
NDLEA Makes More Drug Seizures in Lagos
In Lagos, officers arrested Onyeka Ofor at his residence in Aguda, Surulere.
The arrest took place on Friday, September 18.
Operatives recovered 48,900 pills of tramadol 225mg from the suspect.
Meanwhile, officers intercepted seven cartons of cannabis sativa at a logistics company.
The consignment weighed 59 kilograms.
Operatives arrested a suspect, Luke Ugokwe, in connection with the seizure.
In another Lagos operation, officers arrested 43-year-old Ibrahim Hudu.
They arrested him at Apongbo on Thursday, September 17.
The agency recovered 998.38 kilograms of nitrous oxide gas from the suspect.
Gombe Officers Recover 154,480 Tramadol Capsules
NDLEA operatives also recorded a major opioid seizure in Gombe State.
Officers recovered 154,480 tramadol capsules from two suspects.
They arrested Sabi’u Umar, 27, in the Barunde area.
They also arrested 19-year-old Hassana Muhammad at Gombe main market.
Both arrests took place on Friday, September 18.
Cannabis Seizures in Imo and Ondo
In Imo State, officers arrested 25-year-old Ifesinachi Godwin.
They intercepted him along the Owerri-Onitsha Road on Friday, September 18.
The suspect allegedly possessed 43.85 kilograms of skunk.
Meanwhile, NDLEA officers raided a cannabis farm in Ondo State.
The operation took place in Ita-Ogbolu Forest on Tuesday, September 15.
Officers destroyed 5,000 kilograms of skunk on a two-hectare cannabis farm.
They also recovered 48 kilograms of dry and fresh cannabis.
The operation led to the arrest of Blessing Effiong and Saviour Peter.
David Friday Sunday and Ability Peter Sunday were also arrested.
NDLEA Continues War Against Drug Abuse Campaign
Beyond seizures and arrests, NDLEA continued its War Against Drug Abuse campaign.
The agency carried out sensitisation activities in schools and communities nationwide.
The campaign also reached worship centres and workplaces during the week.
NDLEA officials addressed students and staff at St. Ferdinand School in Ogbomoso.
They also visited Unizik Secondary School in Awka, Anambra State.
Other beneficiaries included Scholars Nursery and Primary School in Epe, Lagos.
The Government Technical Training School in Jalingo, Taraba State, also received the campaign.
In Delta State, the Delta Ports Command conducted a WADA advocacy visit.
The delegation visited His Royal Majesty, King Couple Mackson Oromoni Mobene III.
He serves as Pere Ama-Okosu of Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Kingdom.
Marwa Commends NDLEA Officers
NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), praised the officers.
He commended personnel in Lagos, Tin-Can, Edo, Niger, Delta, Ondo, Gombe, Imo and FCT Commands.
Marwa also praised their intelligence-driven approach to drug control operations.
He urged officers across the country to maintain the agency’s balanced approach.
The chairman said sustained professionalism remains important in Nigeria’s fight against drug abuse.
