By By Elizabeth Ugbo
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 55-year-old Lagos businessman, Onuigbo Ndubisi Chinedu, for allegedly attempting to export 3.30 kilograms of cocaine concealed inside food cartons to the United Kingdom. NDLEA operatives arrested him in Lagos on Thursday, July 23, 2026, after investigations linked him to a drug syndicate. The agency uncovered the shipment during an operation at the Lagos airport export shed on Wednesday, July 22, as part of efforts to curb international drug trafficking.
NDLEA Uncovers Cocaine Hidden in Food Cartons
According to the agency, Onuigbo, a clothing trader at the popular Balogun Market on Lagos Island, allegedly concealed cocaine inside the walls of cartons containing food items destined for the UK.
Investigators initially arrested three cargo agents who handled the shipment. They include Nkwor Onyekachukwu Justina, Adeleke Abiola Taoheed, and Ukanwa Grace Pilgrim.
Their interrogation led to the arrest of Kenneth Okakpu, who delivered the consignment to the cargo agents. Further investigation identified Onuigbo as the alleged mastermind behind the trafficking network.
NDLEA officers later arrested him while he allegedly attempted to ship another cocaine consignment to the United Kingdom.
Entrepreneur Arrested Over 2.8kg Loud Cannabis
In a separate operation, NDLEA operatives arrested Emmanuella Chukwu-Edo, a 31-year-old entrepreneur, at her Surulere residence in Lagos.
The arrest followed the interception of 2.80 kilograms of Loud, a synthetic cannabis strain, imported from the United States aboard a United Airlines flight on Monday, July 20, 2026.
NDLEA Seizes Tapentadol Worth Over N2.2 Billion
Meanwhile, NDLEA intercepted 2,240,000 pills of Tapentadol 250mg with an estimated street value exceeding N2.2 billion.
The drugs arrived from India aboard an Air Maroc flight and were discovered during a joint cargo examination at the Lagos airport on Friday, July 24, 2026.
The operation followed actionable intelligence processed by the agency.
Earlier, NDLEA officers also intercepted a shipment of tramadol hidden inside black soap containers at a Lagos courier company. The consignment was also heading to the United Kingdom.
Cannabis Worth N7.1 Billion Found at Apapa Port
At the Apapa Seaport in Lagos, NDLEA officers uncovered a container carrying three vehicles used to conceal 4,777 sachets of Canadian Loud.
The seized drugs weighed 2,388.5 kilograms and have an estimated street value of over N7.1 billion.
Officials discovered the shipment during a joint examination on Monday, July 20, 2026.
NDLEA Intercepts Ammunition in Katsina and Kaduna
In Katsina State, NDLEA operatives arrested Mustapha Sani, 30, during a patrol at Baure, Safana Local Government Area.
Officers recovered 323 rounds of military-grade ammunition, including 200 rounds of 7.62mm and 123 rounds of 7.6mm, carefully concealed during transportation.
Similarly, NDLEA officers arrested Abubakar Amadu, 30, during a stop-and-search operation at Jere along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway.
He allegedly concealed 73 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition inside kegs filled with red oil.
The agency has handed both suspects and the recovered ammunition to the appropriate security authorities for further investigation.
Edo Raid Yields Large Cannabis Seizure
In Edo State, NDLEA raided a warehouse in Ilushi Community, Esan South East Local Government Area.
The operation led to the seizure of 1,286 kilograms of cannabis and 86 kilograms of cannabis seeds.
Officers also arrested Ojore Onweze, 45, with 60 kilograms of skunk, while George Agwumede, 30, was found with 13 kilograms of the same substance.
NDLEA Expands Drug Abuse Awareness Campaign
Beyond enforcement, NDLEA continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign across Nigeria.
The agency organized sensitization programmes in schools and communities, including:
- Government Day Secondary School, Sabon Wuse, Niger State
- Government Girls Secondary School, Shekara, Kano State
- Otto Primary School, Ebute Metta, Lagos State
The campaign aims to educate students and communities about the dangers of illicit drug use.
Marwa Commends Officers
NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), praised officers from the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation (DOGI), MMIA, Apapa, Edo, Kaduna, and Katsina Commands for the successful operations.
He urged personnel nationwide to sustain the agency’s balanced approach to drug supply reduction and public education in the fight against drug abuse.
