By By Elizabeth Ugbo
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested Lagos real estate developer and Trans Fortress Global Resources CEO, Kolapo Raji, at his Ikate, Lekki residence on Thursday, February 12, 2026, after months of surveillance over alleged drug trafficking linked to his return from the United Kingdom.
NDLEA Arrests Lagos Developer Over 89.2kg Cannabis Seizure
NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, said Raji, 57, had remained on the agency’s watchlist since 2025. Officers tracked him after he returned from the UK.
During a search of his Safe Court Apartment in Ikate, Lekki, operatives recovered 89.20 kilograms of Canadian Loud. The substance is a strong strain of cannabis.
Officials also seized a 2024 Toyota Hilux at the point of arrest.
According to Babafemi, Raji admitted financing drug consignments for an overseas associate. He said profits worth hundreds of millions of naira pushed him to create his own distribution network.
Ivorian Man Arrested at Kano Airport With Cocaine
Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives arrested 41-year-old Ivorian national, Michael Gohouri, at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport.
Officers intercepted him during outward clearance for an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Milan via Addis Ababa.
A body scan confirmed he ingested illicit drugs. He later excreted 82 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.49 kilograms.
Investigators said Gohouri arrived in Lagos from Milan on January 17, 2026. He moved between Lagos and Enugu for three weeks.
Afterward, he travelled to Kano and stayed for one week. He ingested the cocaine in a hotel room before his arrest.
He reportedly agreed to deliver the drugs in Milan for 5,000 Euros.
Massive Drug Seizures Across States
Kano, Lagos and Rivers Operations
In Lagos, NDLEA arrested Ugwuja Kingsley with 56 kilograms of skunk in Agbara. Officers also apprehended Ekwe Arinze with 76 kilograms at a motor park in Oshodi.
At the Port Harcourt Ports Complex, Onne, Rivers State, officers uncovered 170,900 bottles of codeine-based syrup. They found the consignment hidden inside a container during a joint inspection.
Kogi and Abuja Arrests
Along the Okene–Lokoja highway in Kogi State, operatives discovered 7,300 pills of tramadol 225mg. The suspects concealed the drugs inside two sound systems on a commuter bus.
A follow-up raid in Zuba, Abuja, led to the arrest of Ezenma Kingsley, 26, and Ezeja Anthony, 29.
Forest Raids in Ondo, Bauchi, Delta and Edo
In Ondo State, NDLEA arrested Bright Timothy, 28, with 195 kilograms of skunk at Iju forest. Officers also apprehended Godwin Bernard with 198 kilograms during similar raids.
In Bauchi State, operatives seized 936 kilograms of skunk from Yahaya Adamu Gimba in Azare, Katagum LGA. They recovered an additional 85.8 kilograms from him and three others.
In Delta State, officers confiscated 37 kilograms of skunk from Mgbeme Ejeoma in Ughelli.
Furthermore, NDLEA operatives destroyed 1,266.8475 kilograms of skunk on three farms in Owan West LGA, Edo State. They arrested two suspects, including 68-year-old Evelyn Ogenewu, and recovered 23 kilograms of processed cannabis.
NDLEA Intensifies Crackdown Nationwide
The NDLEA has intensified nationwide operations against drug syndicates. The agency now targets networks using real estate businesses as drug storage fronts.
Officials continue coordinated raids across airports, highways, seaports and land borders. The agency says the renewed strategy will dismantle trafficking networks and reduce drug abuse nationwide.
