The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has thwarted multiple attempts by drug trafficking organizations (DTOs) to smuggle illicit substances such as cocaine, tramadol, Loud, and molly concealed in prayer beads, board game packs, and female clothing.
The intercepted consignments, destined for the United States, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Poland, and the United Arab Emirates, were uncovered through sting operations at logistics firms and the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.
At least two suspects linked to the botched drug shipments at MMIA have been apprehended. Among them is 43-year-old businesswoman Jakpor Egware May, who was arrested on March 8, 2025, at Gate ‘C’ departure hall while attempting to board an Air France flight to Italy. A search of her luggage revealed 190 parcels of tramadol 225mg and a parcel of skunk, which she admitted purchasing for resale in Italy.
Another suspect, 60-year-old Yahaya Fatai Ayinla, was nabbed at the airport’s export shed on March 11 while attempting to send a shipment of clothing stuffed with 400 grams of skunk to New York. Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation (DOGI) intercepted over two kilograms of Loud, molly, and tramadol hidden in vitamin C bottles and female clothing meant for export to the U.S. Other drug-laden shipments, including 230 grams of cocaine concealed in prayer beads, shoe soles, and board game packs, were intercepted en route to Saudi Arabia, Poland, and the UAE between March 10 and 12.
In Kano, NDLEA operatives seized 479kg of compressed skunk from 40-year-old Hassan Haruna in the Chalawa area on March 12. The agency also intercepted 58,300 tramadol pills on March 11 along the Kabba-Obajana highway in Kogi State in a commercial bus traveling from Lagos to Abuja.
Further enforcement actions in Kaduna led to the arrest of 21-year-old Idris Hamza on March 13 with 4,900 tramadol pills, while another suspect, Aminu Magaji, 25, was caught on March 14 in Hayin Banki, Kaduna North, with 2,900 tramadol tablets. In Kwara, operatives seized 40,200 tramadol tablets from Olowoko Faruk and Akeem Ridwan on March 14 along the Ilorin-Jebba expressway, while 21,700 capsules were confiscated from suspect Salisu Usman at Eiyenkorin expressway on March 13.
In Taraba, 35-year-old Polycarp Adeku was arrested on March 14 with 15.77kg of skunk at Bente Road, Kurmi LGA. In Osun, NDLEA operatives intercepted a commercial bus on March 13 near King University, Ode-Omu, seizing 48.7kg of Ghanaian Loud, Colorado, and Canadian Loud strains of cannabis. Follow-up operations in Osogbo and Ile-Ife led to nine arrests.
The agency also intensified its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization campaign in schools, workplaces, and communities, engaging students and staff at institutions in Lagos, Adamawa, Kogi, Anambra, and Ekiti
states.
Commending the operatives for their nationwide enforcement and advocacy efforts, NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to tackling drug supply and demand reduction with a balanced approach.
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By Fikunmi Sokoya