The Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted 25kg of methamphetamine hidden in cereal packs and arrested a 56-year-old US citizen, Chinedu Onwude, at Terminal II on November 11, 2026. Onwude, who holds both Nigerian and South African passports, had lived in South Africa for over 24 years and used a stolen identity gained via forged documents. According to the NDLEA, Onwude confessed to being contracted by a South Africa-based man, Obiora Okoye, to deliver the illicit drugs in Nigeria for a fee of 20,000 South African rand.
In a separate operation on the same day, NDLEA operatives arrested a 28-year-old American citizen, Greene Da’monte Khiree, arriving from Thailand via Dubai, with 33.95kg of “Loud,” a potent strain of cannabis. The suspect, a native of Savannah, Georgia, claimed to play professional basketball in Thailand. He was intercepted at the airport car park after abandoning two checked-in bags containing 32 parcels of the drug. The NDLEA has not disclosed further details about Khiree's arrest.
The NDLEA's nationwide operations led to several other arrests and seizures. In Lagos, 119.71kg of cannabis sativa was recovered from a 33-year-old man, Taiwo Aderoju, in Ebute Metta on November 10. Aderoju's arrest was part of a larger effort to crack down on illicit drug trafficking in the country. The NDLEA has been working to disrupt and dismantle drug trafficking networks across Nigeria.
In Kaduna State, operatives raided a facility in Sabon Garin Kangin on November 9, uncovering a local firearms manufacturing factory and arresting a 45-year-old man, Sagiru Musa. Items seized included 17 locally made Dane guns, two pistols, and 25 Dane gun pipes. The NDLEA's seizure of the firearms factory highlights the agency's efforts to combat the proliferation of illicit arms in the country.
A joint operation in the Ajah area on November 14 yielded 78.8kg of cannabis, alongside quantities of codeine syrup, tramadol, Rohypnol, and other illicit substances from an abandoned vehicle. The NDLEA's operations have resulted in significant seizures of illicit substances in recent weeks. The agency's efforts aim to disrupt the flow of illicit drugs into Nigeria.
Officers along the Abuja-Kaduna expressway intercepted a 31-year-old woman, Tabara Dauda, on November 13 with 196 live AK-47 rounds and N675,000 in cash. The NDLEA's seizure of the live ammunition and cash highlights the agency's efforts to prevent the proliferation of illicit arms and financial crimes. The agency's operations have resulted in significant seizures of illicit substances and arms.
NDLEA Chairman, Brig-Gen. Mohamed Marwa (retd.), commended the operatives, stating that the concealment of methamphetamine in breakfast cereals demonstrated that no method could evade the agency’s vigilance. The NDLEA's efforts have resulted in significant seizures of illicit substances in recent weeks. The agency's operations aim to disrupt and dismantle drug trafficking networks across Nigeria.
Key points
- The NDLEA seized 25kg of methamphetamine hidden in cereal packs and arrested a US citizen over cannabis.
- The agency conducted multiple operations, seizing 119.71kg of cannabis sativa in Lagos and 78.8kg of cannabis in the Ajah area.
- The NDLEA intercepted 196 live AK-47 rounds and N675,000 in cash along the Abuja-Kaduna expressway.
