NDLEA DISMANTLES MAJOR DRUG SYNDICATE, SEIZES COCAINE, CANNABIS ACROSS NIGERIA
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By: Fasasi Hammad
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have dismantled a major drug trafficking network in a three-week, intelligence-driven operation that led to multiple arrests and large-scale seizures across several states.
The breakthrough began on March 11, 2026, when NDLEA officers at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, intercepted 3.1 kilograms of cocaine concealed in tins of palm kernel extract destined for the United Kingdom. Two suspects, Idris Olayiwola Amoo and Akinlami Akinsoji Adedoyin, were arrested at the airport. A follow-up sting on April 2 led to the arrest of Ezemuwo Joel, the sender of the consignment, who operated under a false identity.
Joel’s arrest uncovered the syndicate’s leader, 52-year-old King Arinze, who was apprehended at a hideout in Isolo, Lagos. NDLEA officers raided his warehouse, recovering 886 tins of palm kernel extract prepared for drug concealment, industrial tools, 52 grams of cannabis sativa, and other paraphernalia. Arinze admitted to draining the oil from the tins to hide the cocaine.
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In Borno State, NDLEA operatives arrested 28-year-old Aisha Adamu, a female supplier to bandit groups operating between the North East and Chad, in possession of 4.3 kilograms of Colorado, a potent synthetic cannabis strain.
Meanwhile, in Lagos, Pastor Afolabi Hodonu (45) of the Celestial Church of Christ and his wife Success Hodonu (35) were caught with 11 kilograms of skunk hidden in their SUV at Gbaji checkpoint, following the arrest of a fake security agent, Sunday Samuel (35), transporting 24.5 kilograms of skunk from Seme border.
Other seizures included 48,000 tramadol pills in Adamawa, 15 kg of skunk in Osun, 351 kg of skunk and seeds in Ondo, 28,600 tramadol capsules in Benue, and 1,378 kg of skunk in Edo. Notorious Ibadan dealer Ayantola Omodunmomi (Iya Elle) was also arrested with 45.6 kg of skunk, reportedly using her 11-year-old daughter to deliver drugs.
NDLEA’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiatives continued nationwide, with sensitization programs held in schools across Oyo, Lagos, Kano, Anambra, and Zamfara.
NDLEA Chairman/CEO, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), praised the officers for their intelligence-led operations, emphasizing the agency’s commitment to cutting the supply lines of drug cartels.
Marwa said:
“These successful operations demonstrate our evolving intelligence capabilities and unwavering determination. No matter how sophisticated the concealment or title, we will track down those involved in drug trafficking.”
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