By By Elizabeth Ugbo
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) seized 47,200 Captagon pills and 3.9 million opioid tablets at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on August 22 and 28, 2026. The agency arrested a suspected cross-border drug kingpin and intercepted the consignments during separate operations. NDLEA said the seizures have a combined street value of more than N6.2 billion.
NDLEA Intercepts Captagon Consignment at Lagos Airport
NDLEA operatives arrested 49-year-old Akinbile Kazeem Aikins after he arrived from Accra, Ghana. He travelled aboard an African World Airlines flight on Saturday, August 22.
During a search, officers found 47,200 Captagon pills inside blocks of local bathing soap. The soap is popularly known as “Ghana Soap.”
The seized Captagon has an estimated street value of more than N1.5 billion.
Captagon contains amphetamine and has gained the nickname “Jihadi drug.” Criminal networks have linked the drug to extremist activities in conflict zones.
NDLEA first intercepted Captagon in Nigeria in September 2021. Officers found the drug at the Apapa Port in Lagos.
Following his arrest, Aikins reportedly told investigators about the intended destination. He claimed he would deliver the consignment to someone in northern Nigeria.
NDLEA Recovers 3.9 Million Opioid Pills
Meanwhile, NDLEA intercepted another major drug shipment at the MMIA import shed.
The agency recovered 3,900,030 tablets of Tramaking 225mg and Tapentadol 250mg. The drugs weighed 2,787.40 kilograms in total.
NDLEA valued the combined street worth of the opioids at more than N4.6 billion.
The agency recovered the drugs from four abandoned consignments. No recipient appeared to claim the shipments after their arrival.
Three consignments contained 900,000 Tramaking tablets weighing 815.40 kilograms. RwandAir transported the consignments from Bangladesh.
The fourth consignment contained 3,000,030 Tapentadol tablets. The shipment weighed 1,972 kilograms and arrived from Amsterdam aboard Qatar Airways.
NDLEA officers, Customs officials and other stakeholders examined the consignments on Friday, August 28.
NDLEA Arrests Suspect With Loud in Lekki
The agency also arrested a 31-year-old US returnee in Lagos.
Operatives apprehended Sowunmi David Oludotun on August 19. They arrested him in the Ikate area of Lekki.
According to NDLEA, Oludotun arrived to collect 3.350 kilograms of Loud.
Loud is a potent synthetic strain of cannabis. Investigators said the consignment originated from the United Kingdom.
NDLEA Raids Drug Den in Rivers State
In Rivers State, NDLEA operatives raided a notorious drug location in Port Harcourt.
The operation targeted the Abuja Down/Up area of the city. Officers recovered a fireproof iron safe during the raid.
They later cracked open the safe with a welding machine on Tuesday, August 25.
Inside, officers found 237 grams of Colorado, 316 grams of cocaine and 10 grams of heroin.
The operation further highlights NDLEA’s continued crackdown on drug trafficking networks.
NDLEA Seizes 1,069kg of Cannabis in Ondo
NDLEA operatives also recorded major cannabis seizures in Ondo State.
Officers arrested Oyedele Daniel, 42; Taye Saliu, 36; and Kehinde Saliu, 36. They intercepted the suspects on the Ipele-Idoani Road on Friday, August 28.
The suspects carried 728 kilograms of skunk in a truck marked KRE 120 XB.
Earlier, officers arrested two other suspects in Aponmu Forest. They apprehended Uche Joseph, 35, and Godwin Umeh, 21, on Wednesday, August 26.
The officers recovered another 341 kilograms of skunk during that operation.
Over 176,000 Opioid Pills Seized in Delta
NDLEA operations also produced major results in Delta State.
Between August 26 and 28, officers recovered more than 176,000 assorted opioid pills.
The seized substances included tramadol, Molly and other illicit drugs.
The operations formed part of the agency’s wider campaign against drug trafficking across the country.
NDLEA Sustains War Against Drug Abuse Campaign
Beyond arrests and seizures, NDLEA continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign nationwide.
The agency conducted sensitisation programmes in schools, worship centres, workplaces and communities.
In Gombe State, officers held a WADA enlightenment lecture at Markaz Littahfizul Quran Wal Islamiyyat in Dadin Kowa.
Similarly, the agency engaged students at Zangina Islamiyyah Alasawa Kurna in Ungogo Local Government Area, Kano.
In Edo State, NDLEA sensitised youths during an adolescent lifestyle programme organised by NNPCL in Benin City.
The Ondo State Command also visited Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa. The team promoted stronger collaboration against drug abuse.
Likewise, the Taraba Command visited Governor Agbu Kefas for a similar advocacy engagement.
Marwa Commends NDLEA Officers
NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), commended the officers involved.
He praised the MMIA, Ondo and Delta Commands for their recent operations.
Marwa urged officers nationwide to sustain the agency’s balanced drug control strategy.
He also directed them to intensify the fight against drug traffickers.
According to him, traffickers continue to adopt new concealment methods. Some now hide illicit drugs inside ordinary household products.
The NDLEA chairman therefore urged personnel to maintain the momentum. He stressed the need for sustained action against drug trafficking networks across Nigeria.
