The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intensified its nationwide crackdown on illicit drug syndicates, with sweeping raids across at least eleven states leading to multiple arrests, massive seizures, and the destruction of a sprawling cannabis farm in Taraba State.
Among those arrested was a 75-year-old grandfather, Uchelue Ikechukwu, who was caught with 26.7 kilograms of skunk in Umudioka, Dunukofia Local Government Area of Anambra State on Thursday, August 28, 2025. Five other suspects, Eneh Makuo, Emmanuel Chiemeli, Uwakwe Matthew, Chukwujekwu Ehirim, Ifeanyichukwu Olisa and Odoh Chukwuma, were picked up in various parts of the state with quantities of opioids and cannabis.
In a separate major bust, NDLEA operatives backed by the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Forest Security Service, and local vigilantes stormed the Mayodoga forest in Sardauna Local Government Area of Taraba State, where a 30-year-old suspect, Alfa Andrew, was arrested with a Dane gun. His 71.5-hectare cannabis plantation was destroyed, yielding an estimated 178,750 kilograms of skunk, one of the largest single destructions in recent years.
Another operation at the Abuja–Kaduna tollgate on Friday, August 29, led to the interception of 104,900 capsules of tramadol concealed in a fuel tanker. Intelligence reports indicate the consignment may have been bound for insurgent groups in Borno State. The driver, Hassan Buba, was arrested, while at Gwargwaje–Zaria checkpoint, NDLEA officers detained a suspect, Kabir Sulaiman, 45, with 34.15kg of skunk.
In Maiduguri, Borno State, a major supplier of illicit opioids, Uchenna Umeh, 33, was arrested following surveillance. A search of his Chescon, Pompomary residence uncovered 30,640 pills of tramadol 225mg, 7,940 rohypnol tablets and cash of ₦7,999,200 in new ₦200 notes.
Similar interdictions across the country included:
*Nasarawa State: Arrests of Abubakar Dauda, 36, and Babangida Tungura, 47, with over 100,000 pills of opioids, codeine syrup, and diazepam.
Adamawa State: Mohammed Ali, 23, was arrested after his 15,000-tramadol consignment was intercepted in Gombe, while Hamisu Abdullahi was nabbed for 58kg of concealed skunk linked to a vehicle shipment.
Kano State: Multiple seizures including 250,000 tablets of Exol-5, 25.7kg of skunk, and 8,080 bottles of new psychoactive substances.
Edo and Ondo States: Over 180kg of opioids and cannabis recovered, with arrests of four suspects.
Ekiti State: A major raid in Ado-Ekiti uncovered 5.3kg of Loud and Colorado and 2.5g of methamphetamine from a notorious drug kingpin, Ajayi Ayodeji Idowu, a.k.a. Atiku.
Lagos State: NDLEA operatives seized 164kg of skunk from the Mushin base of Michael Ayodele.
While the seizures highlight the intensity of NDLEA operations, the agency also reinforced its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy. Sensitization programs were held in schools, religious centres, workplaces, and palaces, including engagements with students in Onitsha, youths of the Anglican Church Diocese in Abakaliki, the Olofin of Isheri, and even the management of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).
Commending the field officers, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), praised the Commands of Anambra, Taraba, Kaduna, Kano, Nasarawa, Adamawa, Gombe, Lagos, Ekiti, Ondo and Edo States for their vigilance and results. He equally applauded nationwide WADA sensitization drives, noting that “the dual approach of enforcement and education remains key to winning Nigeria’s drug war.”
By Fikunmi Sokoya
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