NDLEA Intercepts ₦6.5 Billion Worth of Illicit Drugs at Nigerian Ports, Arrests British Syndicate and Destroys Cannabis Farms Nationwide
In a powerful move against the growing scourge of drug trafficking in Nigeria, operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have successfully intercepted consignments of illicit drugs valued at over ₦6.5 billion at key Nigerian ports. The well-coordinated operations were carried out at the Port Harcourt Ports Complex in Onne, Rivers State, and the Apapa Seaport in Lagos. This breakthrough is part of a broader national crackdown on the illegal drug trade threatening public health and national security.
Multi-Billion Naira Drug Seizures in Rivers and Lagos
The intercepted consignments, discovered through meticulous intelligence gathering and targeted surveillance, included more than six million opioid pills and 332,000 bottles of codeine-based cough syrup, concealed in containers falsely declared as legitimate goods.
The opioid pills consisted of highly potent substances such as Tamol 225mg, Tapentadol 225mg, and Carisoprodol 225mg, all of which are dangerous when misused. These drugs are frequently abused for their sedative and euphoric effects and have been linked to addiction, mental health disorders, and fatalities.
These seizures, considered one of the largest in Nigeria’s recent history, mark a significant victory for the NDLEA’s intelligence-led approach to tackling organized drug syndicates exploiting the nation’s borders and shipping infrastructure.
Tracking New Smuggling Routes with Targeted Surveillance
According to a statement from NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi, the breakthrough followed the agency’s strategic monitoring of evolving trafficking routes and concealment tactics used by cartels. The NDLEA, in collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies, flagged suspicious containers for 100 percent physical inspection, a method that proved fruitful in the latest operation.
On Monday, May 19 and Tuesday, May 20, 2025, during joint inspections at Onne port, officers uncovered six million opioid pills and 162,000 bottles of codeine syrup in two containers. Days later, on Thursday, May 22, another container was intercepted at Apapa Seaport in Lagos, containing 170,000 bottles of codeine syrup—an addictive substance commonly misused by young people across Nigeria.
International Drug Smugglers Caught at MMIA
The NDLEA also disrupted a transnational drug trafficking syndicate involving two British nationals and their Nigerian associates. The suspects were caught attempting to smuggle 51.10 kilograms of a potent cannabis variant known as Loud into Nigeria via the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos.
The foreign nationals, identified as Mhizha Jordan Alexander Tatendra and Ayedipe Andrew Adejuwon, were arrested alongside Nigerians Shonowo Oluwaseun Imole and Ofuoma Omokaro Ayobami. Alexander, who had flown in from Doha aboard a Qatar Airways flight on Thursday, May 15, was discreetly monitored after intelligence flagged his movements.
He was allowed to pass through airport security but was trailed to the car park, where his accomplices awaited him in an SUV. As they attempted to exit the airport premises with the drugs in their possession, NDLEA operatives executed a swift arrest, recovering 92 bags of cannabis.
Confessions and Follow-Up Raids
Investigations revealed that Alexander was recruited during a vacation and promised £1,300 upon successful delivery of the drugs. Adejuwon, who has dual citizenship, arrived in Nigeria a day earlier via South Africa through Ghana.
A search of their Lekki residence uncovered ₦3.81 million in cash, 17,200 South African Rand, a high-end Apple laptop, an iPhone 14 Pro Max, and four canisters of nitrous oxide, popularly known as laughing gas. The gas, which has gained popularity as a recreational substance, was also seized as evidence of the group’s drug trafficking operations.
NDLEA Destroys Large Cannabis Farms in Cross River and Edo
While securing urban ports and airports, NDLEA operatives also conducted extensive operations in Nigeria’s rural regions to root out cannabis cultivation. In Esuk-Odot village, Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River State, NDLEA officers stormed expansive cannabis plantations spanning 30 hectares.
During the raid, approximately 75,000 kilograms of cannabis were destroyed on-site, and 200 kilograms were seized for evidence and further processing. These operations, carried out on Wednesday, May 22, disrupted the activities of local cultivators and significantly reduced the supply pipeline of illegal marijuana into urban centers.
Additional raids were conducted in Edo State, where plantations in Ohosu Forest, Ovia South West LGA, and Okhuse Community Forest, Owan West LGA, were targeted between May 23 and 24. Nearly 1,957.5 kilograms of cannabis were destroyed in these locations, confirming the widespread cultivation of the drug in the state’s dense forests.
Haulage Vehicles Concealed with Cannabis in Nasarawa
In Nasarawa State, NDLEA officers intercepted a haulage truck transporting 4,000 kilograms of skunk cannabis cleverly hidden under a load of unprocessed timber. The truck was stopped in Keffi on Saturday, May 24, and two suspects—Sunday Daniel (51) and Abu Peter (30)—were taken into custody. The scale of this operation suggests an organized effort to move drugs inter-state using industrial cover loads.
Also in Nasarawa, on Wednesday, May 21, another suspect—Godwin Obi (39)—was arrested in Karu with 154.5 kilograms of cannabis, again concealed and ready for distribution.
Prescription Drug Hauls in Kaduna and Bauchi States
In Kaduna, NDLEA patrols along the Kaduna-Zaria Expressway intercepted Muhammad Hamza (22) with a staggering 57,750 pills of Tramadol and Diazepam, both powerful central nervous system depressants that are frequently abused in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, in Bauchi State, operatives arrested Usman Muhammad (45) along the Bauchi-Misau Road. He was found with 80 blocks of skunk cannabis weighing approximately 45 kilograms. His arrest has added to growing concern about Bauchi’s role as a transit hub for narcotics in the North-East.
Smuggling Attempt Through Yobe Foiled
In another victory for the NDLEA, officers conducting a stop-and-search operation along the Potiskum–Damaturu road in Yobe State uncovered 55 parcels of Colorado, a synthetic cannabis strain. The suspect, Adum Muhammed (29), confessed to plans to smuggle the 2-kilogram load into the Republic of Chad via the Ngamboru Ngala border in Borno State. This interception highlights how Nigeria’s porous borders are being exploited for cross-border narcotics smuggling.
Drug Courier Caught in Niger State with Cannabis
Further south in Niger State, NDLEA operatives patrolling the Mokwa–Jebba Road on May 22 intercepted a Mercedes Benz with license plate FST 938 FU. Inside the car, they found 235 blocks of compressed cannabis sativa, weighing an estimated 97 kilograms. The suspect, Adams Ayibakro, was immediately arrested and is facing prosecution.
Drug Raids in Affluent Lagos Communities
Urban drug use is also under heavy surveillance. In Lagos, the NDLEA raided an upscale apartment in Osapa London, Lekki, where Jonathan Isa was arrested for possession of a cocktail of hard drugs, including cocaine, methamphetamine, molly (MDMA), Rohypnol, codeine syrup, skunk cannabis, and nitrous oxide. His arrest points to the prevalence of high-end party drugs in affluent neighborhoods.
In a separate operation at Idasun, Eleko in Ibeju-Lekki, Olamilekan Idowu was arrested on Saturday, May 24, with 48 kilograms of skunk cannabis, further emphasizing the diverse locations and social classes involved in drug abuse and trafficking.
Marwa’s War on Drugs Gathers Strength
Under the leadership of NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Retd), Nigeria’s fight against drug trafficking has gained remarkable momentum. Marwa’s tenure has been marked by a firm and strategic approach that blends strong intelligence gathering with decisive enforcement actions and inter-agency collaboration.
Since his appointment, the NDLEA has achieved significant results, including a sharp rise in drug seizures, arrests of traffickers, and successful prosecutions. The agency’s operations now span across land borders, seaports, airports, and even remote forest areas used by drug syndicates for cultivation and concealment.
Highlighting the agency’s recent successes, NDLEA spokesman Femi Babafemi emphasized that the war on drugs is being fought on every front. He called on the public to remain vigilant, report suspicious drug-related activities, and support ongoing efforts to rid communities of illegal substances.
With a clear vision and determined leadership, Marwa’s NDLEA continues to break new ground in Nigeria’s battle against narcotics. The agency’s proactive strategy not only targets traffickers but also aims to safeguard future generations and restore public confidence. As public support grows, the war on drugs under Marwa’s leadership is becoming a nationwide movement with lasting impact.
Nigeria Strengthens the War Against Drug Trafficking and Abuse
The wave of drug seizures, arrests, and destruction of illegal drug farms across Nigeria in May 2025 marks a pivotal moment in the country’s ongoing war against narcotics. With the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) leading major operations in states like Rivers, Lagos, Cross River, Edo, and Nasarawa, the Nigerian government has demonstrated its renewed commitment to combat the escalating drug menace. The seizure of illicit drugs valued at over ₦6.5 billion reveals not only the scale of the challenge but also the sophistication and reach of the criminal networks involved—ranging from international cartels to local traffickers.
These successful operations, including the interception of containers loaded with opioids and codeine-based syrups at seaports and airports, underscore the NDLEA’s enhanced intelligence-gathering and collaborative efforts with sister security agencies. The arrests of both foreign nationals and Nigerians show that drug trafficking is not confined to national borders, and that Nigeria is increasingly becoming a focal point in global trafficking routes.
Nevertheless, while the agency’s efforts are commendable, the fight against drugs cannot be won by enforcement alone. Community awareness, public vigilance, stiffer legislation, and sustained government investment in rehabilitation and drug education are critical to reducing demand and supporting long-term solutions. Citizens also have a vital role to play in providing credible information to law enforcement and rejecting the normalization of drug abuse.
Ultimately, Nigeria’s drug war is not just about arrests and seizures—it is about saving lives, restoring communities, and securing a healthier future. As security agencies intensify their operations, the collective resolve of the government, civil society, and the public will determine the true success of this crucial national effort.