By By Elizabeth Ugbo
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) arrested 48-year-old businessman Nwankwo Innocent Onyebuchi at Lagos airport on August 2026. Officers intercepted him at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport while travelling to New Delhi, India. They found 1.55kg of cocaine hidden inside his travel bag. The suspect reportedly planned to sell the drug for up to N100 million.
Nwankwo, a marble dealer in Lagos, faced arrest at Terminal II. He attempted to board a Qatar Airways flight to New Delhi.
However, NDLEA officers searched his check-in luggage before his departure. They discovered cocaine factory-fitted into the bag’s side walls and railings.
Suspect Sold Assets to Fund Drug Deal
During questioning, Nwankwo reportedly explained how he financed the drug purchase.
He said he sold his marble business and other assets. He raised N23 million to purchase the cocaine consignment.
According to the suspect, he expected to sell the drugs in India for about N100 million.
The arrest has now ended his plan to enter the illicit drug trade. NDLEA has kept him in custody pending prosecution.
NDLEA Seizes N2.6bn Codeine Stockpile in Lagos
Meanwhile, NDLEA officers uncovered a major codeine syrup warehouse in Lagos.
The officers acted on credible intelligence and raided a residential compound. The warehouse stood at 20 Hakeem Dosumu Street, Ago Palace, Okota.
The operation took place between August 7 and 8, 2026. Officers recovered 3,776 cartons of codeine-based syrup.
The cartons contained 377,600 bottles of the controlled substance. NDLEA valued the seized consignment at more than N2.6 billion.
Agency Recovers 324kg of Colorado in Lagos
NDLEA officers also raided the residence of 55-year-old Shoremi Kayode in Lagos.
The operation occurred at 37 Ogundare Street, Ipaja Estate, Ipaja. Officers recovered 324kg of Colorado, a synthetic cannabis strain.
NDLEA estimated the street value of the drugs at N972 million.
Officers also seized a Mercedes-Benz and a Toyota Corolla from the suspect.
NDLEA Intercepts Drugs in Kwara and Oyo
In Kwara State, officers arrested two suspects at Kam Wire, Ilorin. The suspects were identified as Abubakar Adamu, 50, and Bilyaminu Nuhu, 30.
The officers recovered 55.96kg of skunk from their truck. The vehicle carried registration number DKA 350 XL.
Meanwhile, NDLEA officers arrested two men along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Oyo State.
The suspects were identified as 70-year-old Abdulfatai Oyelaran and Abdulrauf Ajadi, 50.
Officers recovered 52,000 ampoules of pentazocine injection from their Toyota Sienna. They also found 6,000 ampoules of tramadol injection.
NDLEA Seizes Tramadol and Other Controlled Drugs
NDLEA officers also arrested Osaro Ikpoba, 43, and Samuel Godbless, 18.
They intercepted the suspects along the Onitsha-Asaba Expressway. The operation took place on August 13.
Officers recovered 124,100 tramadol pills from the suspects. They also seized 786 bottles of codeine syrup.
The seizure included 2,598 tablets of Rohypnol and 4,800 diazepam tablets. Officers further recovered 470 pentazocine ampoules and 200 tramadol ampoules.
In another operation, officers arrested Emeka Tony, 50, along the Kwale-Ozoro Expressway.
They recovered 1,244 cartridges and N8 million in cash from the suspect.
Plateau Command Intercepts 239,490 Tramadol Capsules
In Plateau State, NDLEA operatives intercepted a Toyota Corolla on the Riyom-Jos Road.
The vehicle carried registration number MKD 341 EA. Officers recovered 239,490 capsules of Tramaforce, a tramadol brand.
They also arrested a suspect identified as Kasum Sherif.
NDLEA Arrests Six Suspects in Kano
NDLEA officers arrested six suspects along the Zaria-Kano Road on August 10.
The suspects included Okodili Ibeabuchi, 60, and Onyeka Vincent, 47. Others were Nwanko Wisdom, 36, Success Chigozie, 30, Emmanuel Jude, 27, and Chinedu Peter, 39.
Officers recovered 728,958 pills of tramadol, Rohypnol and other opioids.
The seizure also included 360g of cocaine and 99.8g of methamphetamine. In addition, officers recovered 50 bottles of codeine syrup.
They also seized 2.7kg of Loud, another synthetic cannabis strain.
NDLEA Recovers 106.8kg of Skunk in Kano
The Kano Command conducted another raid at Zawaciki Gida Dubu, Kumbotso Local Government Area.
The operation took place on August 14. Officers recovered 171 blocks of skunk weighing 106.8kg.
They also arrested Mustapha Iliya, 30, and Abdulwahab Abdulrashid, 24.
Agency Destroys Over 4.6 Tonnes of Cannabis in Edo
In Edo State, NDLEA officers destroyed 4,628.9775kg of skunk.
The officers found the cannabis on two farms in Ugboku/Igbanke forest. The farms covered about 1.85 hectares in Orhionmwon Local Government Area.
Officers also arrested Agholor Elebojie, 40, during the operation.
Additionally, NDLEA officers raided drug joints in Oluku, Benin City. They arrested 28-year-old Kingsley Anigala.
The suspect allegedly possessed 25.857kg of Loud and 93g of methamphetamine.
NDLEA Continues Drug Abuse Awareness Campaign
Beyond arrests and seizures, NDLEA continued its War Against Drug Abuse campaign.
The agency organised sensitisation programmes across several states. Officers engaged students, teachers and community members during the activities.
In Kano, NDLEA officials delivered a sensitisation lecture at Madarasatu Sheikh Muhammad Rabi’u Arabic School.
Similarly, officials visited Olomu Junior Secondary School in Ajah, Lagos State.
The agency said the programmes aim to reduce drug demand among young people and communities.
Marwa Commends NDLEA Officers
NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), praised the officers involved.
He commended personnel from the Lagos, Kano, Kwara and Edo commands. He also recognised officers in Plateau, Oyo and Delta commands.
Marwa praised the commands for their recent arrests and seizures. He also applauded NDLEA teams across the country.
According to him, the agency continues to balance drug supply reduction with demand reduction.
The latest operations highlight NDLEA’s intensified campaign against drug trafficking. They also show the agency’s focus on disrupting major drug networks across Nigeria.
