The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted 2.55 million tablets of opioids worth over N3 billion at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos. According to NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi, the drugs, weighing 1,640.55kg, were seized on September 22 during a joint examination of three consignments at the airport's import shed. The consignments contained Tramaking 225mg, Tramaking 250mg, and Royal Tapentadol 250mg, imported from India and Bangladesh.
The seizure is part of a series of major opioid interceptions reported at the Lagos airport this year. In August, the NDLEA seized 3.9 million tablets of Tramaking and Tapentadol, weighing 2,787.40 kg and valued at over N4.6 billion. In May, it reported another seizure of 1,825,710 tablets of Tapentadol 250mg, valued at N2.19 billion. These seizures demonstrate the NDLEA's continued efforts to curb the smuggling of illicit substances into Nigeria.
In a separate operation at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport (AIIA) in Enugu, NDLEA operatives arrested a 25-year-old businessman, Lovely Chukwulobelu, who allegedly ingested 72 wraps of cocaine before attempting to travel to Portugal. Chukwulobelu was arrested on September 25 while preparing to board an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Portugal through Addis Ababa. He later excreted all 72 wraps of cocaine.
According to the NDLEA, Chukwulobelu, who was wearing a wedding ring, told investigators that he previously operated a car decoration business at the Trade Fair Complex in Ojo, Lagos. He relocated to Portugal in May 2023 but returned to Nigeria for his wedding on September 13. The NDLEA stated that Chukwulobelu became involved in drug trafficking to raise money to offset expenses from the wedding.
In Oyo State, NDLEA operatives arrested two Togolese nationals, Yinusa Abdulsamad and Fatai Baba, along the Iganna-Ilero Road in Iganna. The men were using two pickup vans to transport 305.6kg of cannabis allegedly sourced from Ghana. At the Seme border in Badagry, Lagos, five other men were arrested with 420 cartons of nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, weighing 1,688.4kg.
The NDLEA also reported several other seizures and arrests across the country. In Bauchi State, operatives arrested Umar Hamidu and Abdulkarim Salihu with 300 compressed blocks of cannabis weighing 262.5kg. In Edo State, operatives destroyed two cannabis farms at Eko Camp, Ilushi, with an estimated combined yield of 1,360.23kg of cannabis. Additionally, two women were arrested in Lagos with 3.4kg of cannabis, and a 58-year-old man was arrested with 5.920kg of cannabis and other illicit substances.
NDLEA Chairman Buba Marwa commended the officers involved in the operations and urged them to sustain their efforts to curb drug trafficking and abuse. The agency's commands across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation activities during the week. The NDLEA's efforts aim to reduce the prevalence of drug trafficking and abuse in Nigeria.
Key points
- The NDLEA seized 2.55 million opioid tablets worth over N3 billion at the Lagos airport.
- A 25-year-old businessman was arrested at the Enugu airport for ingesting 72 wraps of cocaine.
- The NDLEA conducted multiple operations across the country, arresting several suspects and seizing various illicit substances.
