NDLEA SEIZES COCAINE IN DRY FISH, ARRESTS GRANDPA WITH METH
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By: Balogun Ibrahim
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted a large shipment of cocaine hidden in the heads of imported dry stock fish and arrested a key syndicate member responsible for trafficking the drugs overseas.
The operation, according to a statement released on Sunday by NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, was based on intelligence regarding trans-border criminal activities.
Babafemi said the tip-off led to a sting operation by operatives of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Strategic Command in the Ojo area of Lagos on Thursday, March 19, 2026.
“During the operation, three jumbo-sized bags were recovered from the possession of the kingpin, 36-year-old Akputa Dickson Ejike,” the statement added.
“A search of the bags uncovered 237 wraps of cocaine concealed in the heads of imported dry stock fish, locally known as ‘Okporoko.’
“The cocaine has a total weight of 5.80 kilograms and was intended for export to Delhi, India,” the statement said.
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In a separate operation on Wednesday, March 25, NDLEA operatives from the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation (DOGI) intercepted two consignments bound for the United Kingdom at a courier company in Lagos.
“In one of the shipments originating from Cotonou, Benin Republic, 1.9 kilograms of methamphetamine were discovered hidden in automobile filters, while the second parcel contained 40 ampoules of Morphine Sulphate and nine ampoules of Fentanyl,” the statement said.
Babafemi added that on March 26, a Special Operations Unit (SOU) raided the residence of 46-year-old Omolade Abigail Jolayemi, also known as “Iya Ghana,” at 13 Carter Street, Yaba, Lagos.
She and her associate, 31-year-old Sarah Zainab Agbabiaka, were arrested after operatives recovered 135 blocks of cannabis weighing a total of 76.30 kilograms.
“On the same day, SOU operatives also arrested 39-year-old Anayo Lucky Ohabiro at Doyin Bus Stop, Surulere, Lagos, following credible intelligence. Officers recovered 78 blocks of Ghana Loud cannabis weighing 41 kilograms from him,” the statement said.
In Ekiti State, it added, “An 80-year-old man, Oke Samuel, was arrested on Thursday, March 26, by NDLEA operatives during a special raid at Mosafuneto Camp, Erinmo Road, Efon-Alaaye. Authorities recovered 2.2 kilograms of skunk and 1.8 grams of methamphetamine from him.”
Another suspect, 37-year-old Enuwa Kehinde Kingsley, had 894.72 kilograms of skunk seized from an unfinished building in Ogbese, Akure North, Ondo State.
Elsewhere, 35-year-old Saater Nyam was apprehended at Pevi Village, Guma LGA, Benue State, on Tuesday, March 24, with 116.7 kilograms of skunk in his possession.
In Edo State, a warehouse raid in Ekpoma town, Esan West LGA, on Monday, March 23, resulted in the arrest of 25-year-old Felix Donald and the seizure of 576.5 kilograms of skunk and 33 bottles of codeine-based syrup.
In Taraba State, Babafemi stated that NDLEA officers intercepted a truck transporting 100 blocks of compressed skunk weighing 135 kilograms, hidden in animal feed bags, from Garbachede to Gombe State on Tuesday, March 24. Two suspects, 21-year-old Osama Mamuda and 22-year-old Auwal Umar, were arrested in connection with the seizure.
Babafemi also highlighted the agency’s ongoing War Against Drug Abuse social advocacy, noting that sensitisation lectures have been conducted in schools across Cross River, Adamawa, Oyo, Kano, and Lagos states.
The NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Marwa (Rtd), commended operatives from MMIA, SOU, DOGI, as well as the Ekiti, Ondo, Benue, Edo, and Taraba Commands for their efforts, and praised all commands nationwide for effectively balancing drug supply reduction with initiatives to curb drug demand.
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