Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have arrested Arokodare Ebenezer, a Lekki-based businessman and proprietor of Damillionz Takeout, for his involvement in the shipment of 60 parcels of Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, from the United States to Nigeria.

The 43-year-old businessman was arrested on Monday, March 24, 2025, at Bay Lounge, Admiralty Way in the Lekki area of Lagos, while awaiting the delivery of his latest drug consignment.

The agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, shared pictures of the seized contraband on X.com on Sunday.

“The bust followed a seizure on March 12, 2025, when NDLEA operatives intercepted seven large cartons containing the illicit drug at a logistics company in Lagos.

“The total weight of the cannabis seized from the suspect amounted to 32.24 kilograms after a subsequent search at his Lekki residence, where 94 grams of cannabis, a cannabis crusher, and other drug paraphernalia were found. Ebenezer revealed that he had been involved in the illicit drug trade since 2017,” the statement read.

It added, “Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have arrested a Lekki-based businessman and proprietor of Damillionz Takeout, Arokodare Damil Ebenezer in connection with the shipment of 60 parcels of Loud, a strong strain of cannabis, from the United States of America to Nigeria.

“The 43-year-old businessman was arrested at Bay Lounge, Admiralty Way, Lekki area of Lagos where he does his illicit drug business on Monday 24th March 2025 while he was expecting to take the delivery of his latest drug consignment. His arrest followed the seizure of his cargo that arrived Nigeria in seven big cartons at a logistics company in Lagos on 12th March by NDLEA operatives of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation.

“After his arrest, he was taken to his Lekki home for a search during which 94grams of the same psychoactive substance, cannabis crusher and other drug paraphernalia were recovered. This brings the total weight of the drug seized from him to 32.24 kilograms. In his statement, he claimed he started the illicit drug business in 2017.”

In a related operation, NDLEA officers foiled an attempt by an Italy-based businessman, Omoruyi Terry, to export 1,400 pills of tramadol (225mg) weighing 800 grams to Italy.

The statement added, “Attempt by another businessman Omoruyi Terry to export 1,400 pills of tramadol 225mg weighing 800 grams to Italy has also been thwarted by NDLEA officers at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja Lagos.

“Omoruyi was intercepted at the screening point of terminal 2 of the Lagos airport on his way to Italy via a Qatar Airways flight. Investigation reveals the suspect is an Italy based frequent traveler and logistics agent.”

Meanwhile, in Katsina State, NDLEA operatives arrested four suspects, Baraka Abubakar, 40; Haruna Alitine, 23; Muhammad Babangida, 20; and Hamisu Lawal on March 28, 2025, following an intelligence-led raid at Godai village in Daura Local Government Area.

The operation led to the recovery of 684 blocks of compressed skunk (423kg) and 86,000 pills of diazepam.

The statement added, “In Katsina, four suspects: Baraka Abubakar, 40; Haruna Alitine, 23; Muhammad Babangida, 20; and Hamisu Lawal, were arrested on Friday 28th March during an intelligence led raid operation at Godai village in Daura LGA where 684 blocks of compressed skunk, a strain of cannabis weighing 423kg and 86,000 pills of diazepam were recovered from them.

“The three male suspects were arrested while repackaging the diazepam tablets into other containers while Baraka, the female suspect was apprehended with the heaps of skunk in her house.”

NDLEA operatives also destroyed 13,198 kilograms of cannabis sativa in Edo State. Additionally, 158 kilograms of cannabis were seized for potential prosecution.

The statement revealed, “Not less than 13,198 kilograms of cannabis sativa were destroyed in Edo forests across parts of the state between Monday 24th and Friday 28th March by NDLEA operatives who also evacuated 158kg of same substance for possible prosecution.

“The forests where no fewer than four cannabis plantations were discovered and destroyed include: Uhen forest, Ovia North East LGA; Sobe, Owan West LGA; and Amahor forest in Igueben LGA.”

Other notable operations occurred in Niger, Enugu, Kwara, and Oyo states, where substantial amounts of skunk were seized.

On March 28, NDLEA officers intercepted a black Toyota Corolla in Niger state, seizing 77.6 kilograms of compressed cannabis hidden in the vehicle’s false bottom.

Another 50 kilograms of skunk were recovered from the home of a suspect, Isa Iliya, in Wawa village, Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.

The statement added, “In Niger State, NDLEA officers on patrol along Mokwa-Jebba road on Friday 28th March intercepted a black Toyota Corolla car marked SLM 137 SV and arrested the two occupants in possession of 179 blocks of compressed skunk with a total weight of 77.6kg concealed in false bottom of the vehicle.

“The two suspects are: Paul Christopher, 46, and Lucky Star Anumie. In another operation, 50kg skunk was on Saturday 29th March recovered from the home of a suspect, Isa Iliya, who is currently at large, in Wawa village, Borgu council area of the state.

“While 108.5kg of skunk was recovered from lockup shops at Aria New Market, in Enugu metropolis, Enugu state by NDLEA operatives on Tuesday 25th March, 25kg of same substance was seized from a suspect Abdulrazak Saka at Kilako Area of Ilorin, Kwara State on Monday 24th March.

“Another suspect Suli Saheed, 50, was nabbed with 2.5 kilograms of Ghanaian Loud and 515 grams of Colorado, at Olomi Academy area of Ibadan, Oyo state.:

As part of its ongoing War Against Drug Abuse initiative, NDLEA continued its sensitisation efforts, delivering lectures at schools, workplaces, and communities nationwide.

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), praised the agency’s personnel for their successful operations and urged continued vigilance in the fight against drug abuse.

A 40-year-old Nigerian man identified as Chicka Abajuvo, along with one other suspect, has been arrested by the police in Wayanad, located in the northeast of the Indian state of Kerala for drug trafficking.

TheNigerian Metro learnt on Sunday that the suspects were apprehended in the district just days after authorities busted a drug racket based in Bengaluru, leading to the arrest of Tanzanian national, Prince Samson.

According to Onmanorama, an India-based news outlet, the Wayanad police arrested the 40-year-old Nigerian alongside Sandeep Malik.

The report stated that “the duo was allegedly in cahoots with Samson, who was arrested earlier.” It further noted that Sandeep is reportedly a student in India.

The report continued, “Sleuths from the Sulthan Bathery police and the anti-narcotics wing of Wayanad police arrested the duo in a midnight operation.

“The police team, led by Sulthan Bathery Station House Officer NP Raghavan, raided a flat in Bengaluru and nabbed the two accused involved in trafficking drugs to Kerala.”

During the raid, the police recovered mobile phones, laptops, and several documents linking the suspects to other operators.

The report further revealed that a total of four individuals had been arrested in connection with a drug trafficking case registered in Sulthan Bathery in February.

“The drug racket has been involved in smuggling various drugs, including MDMA, into the state from Bengaluru. Authorities have also tracked large money transactions in many accounts associated with the suspects,” the report stated.

The first arrest in the case reportedly took place on February 24, when a man identified as Shefeek, a native of Cherumukku, Malappuram, was caught with 93.84 grams of MDMA during a vehicle inspection at the Muthanga checkpost.

“Shefeek was a key link between the racketeers in the Malabar districts and drug peddlers in Bengaluru,” the report noted, adding that the investigation remains ongoing.

TheNigerian Metro reported the arrest of two Nigerians for a similar crime in the Delhi region of India in 2023.

At the time, a Special Cell of the Delhi police dismantled a three-man international drug cartel involving two Nigerians and a Sierra Leonean, who were allegedly supplying banned substances across India.

The police reportedly seized 6 kg of the hypnotic drug methaqualone and 2 kg of heroin” from the suspects, identified as Paul Joy from Sierra Leone and Peace Ilobe and Stephen, both from Nigeria.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has thwarted multiple attempts to smuggle illicit drugs to the United States, Saudi Arabia, Poland, Italy, and the United Arab Emirates.

A statement on Sunday by the agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, disclosed that the intercepted substances —including cocaine, tramadol, loud, and molly— were cleverly concealed in items such as prayer beads, board game packs, and female clothing.

He said, “Desperate bids by some drug trafficking organisations to move illicit consignments such as cocaine, tramadol, loud, molly and others concealed in prayer beads, packs of board games, female cloths to the United States of America, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Poland, and the United Arab Emirates through logistics firms and the Lagos airport have been thwarted by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.

“At least, two suspects behind some of the aborted missions at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos have already been arrested. One of them is a 43-year-old businesswoman, Jakpor Egware May, who was nabbed at the Gate ‘C’ departure hall of the Lagos airport while attempting to board an Air France flight to Italy on Saturday, March 8, 2025.

“When she was searched, 190 parcels of tramadol 225mg and another parcel of skunk, a strain of cannabis, were recovered from her luggage. In her statement, she claimed that she bought the drugs herself, to resell them in Italy.”

At the export shed of the Lagos airport, Babafemi also said the NDLEA officers on Tuesday, March 11, arrested a 60-year-old suspect, Yahaya Ayinla, while attempting to ship a cargo containing clothes used to conceal 400 grams of skunk going to New York, United States of America.

“At some logistics companies in Lagos, efforts by drug traffickers to export over two kilograms of loud, molly, tramadol 365mg, 225mg hidden in Vitamin C bottles and female cloths to the US were frustrated by the NDLEA operatives of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation.

“Other shipments of 230 grams of cocaine concealed in prayer beads, soles of locally made shoes and packs,” Babafemi added.

In a separate operation in Kano, the NDLEA operatives arrested 40-year-old Hassan Haruna at Chalawa and recovered 727 blocks of compressed skunk weighing 479 kilograms.

In Kogi State, officers intercepted 58,300 pills of tramadol along the Kabba-Obajana highway in a commercial bus travelling from Lagos to Abuja.

“In Taraba State, the NDLEA officers on Friday, March 14, arrested Polycarp Adeku, 35, at Bente road, Kurmi LGA, with 15.77Kg skunk, while in Osun State. Operatives on Thursday, March 13, intercepted a commercial bus marked SGB 564 YS coming from Idumota, Lagos Island in front of King University, Ode-Omu, with a total of 48.7kg Ghanaian Loud, Colorado and Canadian Loud, all strains of cannabis. Not less than nine suspects have been arrested in connection with the seizure in Osogbo and Ile-Ife during follow-up operations.”

Four drug kingpins: Ogbuji Christian Ifeanyi; Iloduba Augustine Chinonye; Shuaibu Nuhu Isa (a.k.a Don) and Zidon Zurga, have been convicted and sentenced to a total of 95 years in prison by the Federal High Court in Lagos and Yola, Adamawa State over trafficking of cocaine and skunk worth over N4.6 billion.

Ogbuji was intercepted by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Ikeja, Lagos, on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, during an inward clearance of Ethiopian Airlines flight passengers from Addis Ababa to Lagos, for importing 817 wraps of cocaine weighing 19.40 kilograms with an estimated street value of Four Billion Six Hundred and Fifty-Six Million Naira (N4,656,000,000.00).

That was barely 16 months after the 48-year-old businessman was arrested and convicted for ingesting 93 pellets of cocaine. He was first arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) Abuja on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, upon arrival from Uganda via Addis Ababa, onboard Ethiopian Airlines flight ET 951 for ingesting 93 pellets of cocaine with a gross weight of 1.986kg. He was subsequently arraigned before Federal High Court 12 Abuja presided over by Hon. Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon in charge no: FHC/ABJ/CR/192/2023 and convicted on July 13, 2023. Ogbuji was sentenced to two years imprisonment with an option of paying a fine of Three Million Naira (N3,000,000.00), which he paid and was set free.

Not done with crime, Ogbuji was again arrested at the Lagos Airport with the large consignment of cocaine on September 18, 2024, after which he was arraigned before Justice Yellim Bogoro of the Federal High Court Lagos in charge number: FHC/L/845C on January 16, 2025. He was eventually sentenced on February 28 to five years imprisonment on count one with an option of seven million naira fine and 10 years imprisonment on count two without an option of fine. In the event that he failed to pay the N7million fine, the judge ruled that the convict will serve a total of 15 years in jail consecutively. The court ordered the forfeiture of monetary exhibits and other items found on him at the time of his arrest.

In his own case, 51-year-old Iludoba was arrested by NDLEA operatives on new year eve, December 31, 2021, at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, for cocaine trafficking. He was found to have ingested 58 wraps of the illicit drug, 48 of which he excreted on transit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia while he expelled the balance of 10 in NDLEA custody after his arrest on January 1, 2022. He was thereafter arraigned on two counts in charge number FHC/EN/CR/18/2022 before Justice Folashade Giwa Ogunbanjo of the Federal High Court, Enugu.

After three years of diligent prosecution, Iludoba was convicted and sentenced to five years imprisonment on each count, bringing his total years in jail to 10 years, which will run concurrently from the date of his conviction, Wednesday, March 5, 2025.

In the case of Shuaibu Nuhu Isa (a.k.a Don), 55, and Zidon Zurga, 50, they were arrested by NDLEA operatives on November 25, 2024, along Numan-Yola Road with 500.800kg skunk, a strain of cannabis, concealed in a pilot Toyota Hilux vehicle marked Lagos NT 829 AAA and a Prado SUV with a fake presidency number plate 01B-266 FG.

They were later arraigned before Justice Bala Usman in charge number: FHC/YL/150 /2024 and convicted on February 7, 2025, to 35 years imprisonment each on two counts, bringing the combined years in jail for both of them to 70 years or pay a fine of N25 million each. The court also ordered the interim forfeiture of the two jeeps used in trafficking the illicit drug consignment.

Reacting to the conviction of the quartet, chairman/chief executive officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended the trial courts, the teams of officers who investigated and prosecuted the three cases at the MMIA Strategic Command in Lagos, Akanu Ibiam International Airport Special Area Command, Enugu and the Adamawa State Command for their diligence and professionalism. He said “the conviction and the forfeiture of the convicts’ instruments of crime will further strengthen the deterrent effect of our ongoing effort to totally dismantle every drug network in the country.”

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have arrested the fleeing 59-year-old international drug baron, Jeff Ogbonnaya.

He was apprehended at his hideout in the Ojo area of Lagos after 17 years of evading authorities.

Addressing journalists in Abuja on Monday, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), said the agency’s Special Operations Unit had been tracking Ogbonnaya following an Interpol Red Notice against him and intelligence from the National Intelligence Service of South Korea.

He stated that the agency had gathered incontrovertible evidence of Ogbonnaya’s activities, including his recruitment of young Nigerians as drug couriers to smuggle illicit substances into the Republic of Korea.

He said, “The major development that warranted this special briefing pertains to the arrest of a drug lord wanted across the world as the leader of an international drug trafficking organisation.

“On Wednesday, February 12, 2025, we arrested Kevin Jeff Ogbonnaya, a 59-year-old drug baron. The suspect was apprehended at his hideout at No. 3, Ibukunoluwa Taiwo Close, off LASU Road, Lagos. He had been under the NDLEA investigation before his arrest. As a result, we have comprehensive intelligence on his activities and incontrovertible facts confirming that he is a notorious drug lord who recruited young Nigerians as couriers to smuggle illicit substances into the Republic of Korea (South Korea).

“Our records reveal that many Nigerians apprehended outside the country for drug-related offences were linked to him. Furthermore, we have established that he laundered drug proceeds through the importation of electronics and other goods. Following his arrest, a search of his residence led to the recovery of multiple Nigerian passports belonging to different individuals, many of which contained Korean visas. Additionally, we recovered some illicit substances stored at the back of his house.”

Marwa said Ogbonnaya had previously served a one-year prison term in South Korea in 2007 before being deported to Nigeria in 2008. However, he resumed his illicit operations, orchestrating drug shipments to the Far East.

“His dossier indicates that he served a one-year prison sentence in the Republic of Korea in 2007 and was deported to Nigeria in 2008. Despite this, he continued his illicit trade, remaining actively involved in drug trafficking operations to the Far East.

“Presently, he is wanted in the Republic of Korea for multiple drug trafficking offences in collaboration with his accomplices. An INTERPOL Red Notice was issued for his arrest and extradition to the country for offences committed between 2023 and 2024.

“From a series of interdictions, it has been established that Ogbonnaya is the ringleader of a drug trafficking organisation responsible for smuggling narcotics into the People’s Republic of Korea. He has been orchestrating operations remotely, giving instructions to drug mules and domestic suppliers who are members of his syndicate spread across Cameroon, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Liberia, and other East and Southern African countries.”

Marwa stated that between December 2023 and April 2024, Ogbonnaya allegedly directed two couriers —Santa Elizabeth Pieterse and Carl Yohan Stephan Brisman— to smuggle five kilograms of methamphetamine into South Korea via international flights.

“On October 5, 2023, at a location in Burkina Faso, the suspect dispatched 6,051.06 grams of skunk, concealed in dried chillies and jujube, to a Korean, Kim Dong Wook, at a designated address in Jinju City, Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea. The package arrived at Incheon Airport on October 19, 2023, at 7:20 a.m. via Air France.

“Investigation reveals that while residing in Nigeria, he directed his drug couriers, Santa Elizabeth Pieterse and Carl Yohan Stephan Brisman, to smuggle a total of five kilograms of methamphetamine into South Korea via overseas flights between December 2023 and April 2024. In recent times alone, he has sent illicit drugs worth over N1.4bn in street value to South Korea.

“Ogbonnaya maintains another domestic carrier, identified as ‘Asa,’ who delivers drug consignments to a warehouse operated by Okori Emmanuel, a Nigerian who serves as his supply manager in South Korea. As of now, two arrest warrants have been issued against Ogbonnaya by the Seoul Central District Court in January and June 2024. These warrants charge him with importing narcotic drugs in violation of Article 3-7 of South Korea’s Narcotics Control Act, an offence punishable by a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.”

Marwa, however, reaffirmed the NDLEA’s commitment to ensuring that Nigeria does not serve as a base for international drug trafficking operations.

Media personality Chinedu Emmanuel Ani, popularly known as Nedu Wazobia, has reacted to an audio recording shared by social media critic Martin Vincent Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan, linking him to hard drugs and fraudulent activities in South Africa, Morocco, and Turkey.

LEADERSHIP recalls that on Wednesday, VeryDarkMan submitted a petition to the Turkish, South African, and Moroccan embassies in Nigeria, urging them to investigate alleged drug trafficking and fraudulent activities by Nedu and his friends in their country.

VeryDarkMan also played a clip at the end of the video where Nedu was heard allegedly saying, “I’m also thinking, this is between me and you though, we should leave this Abuja own, do the Lagos own and then come straight and do London. Then start thinking of other cities where we’ll get Nigerians.

“I believe if we do in South Africa next, it will give us a lot of money because I have a lot of Yahoo Boys and drug guys that are waiting for me to come to that South Africa, and even Turkey and even Morocco. They can die for me to come there.”

Reacting to the development, Nedu in a recent post on his Instagram story, denied the allegation and involvement in any criminal activities.

“Hello everyone, this is not a joke anymore I know nothing about that voice note going around. I did not make that voice note. While this seems to be fun and games, I’ve never and will never be part of anything criminal”.

A socio-political group, Tinubu – Plan Rehabilitation, has pledged to drastically reduce the number of youths being used by politicians while under the influence of drugs.

It emphasised that drug addiction should not be treated as a crime but as a societal issue that requires rehabilitation and awareness.

Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja yesterday, the group’s national chairman, Dr Aminu Aminu Bizi, urged the government and society to take urgent steps in addressing drug abuse.

“We must make sure we drastically reduce the number of youths being used by politicians under the influence of drugs. Believe me, you and I can do it,” Dr Bizi said.

Dr Bizi rejected the idea of waging war against drug addicts, stressing that a more compassionate approach is necessary.

“We don’t believe in a war with drugs. We need to bring our children who are addicted closer to society and rehabilitate them properly,” he said.

He warned that drug abuse is fueling violent crimes, with young people committing heinous acts under the influence.

“People kill over phones just to sell them for as little as 5,000 naira because of drugs. This is our fault–mine, yours, and that of all politicians and society at large,” he lamented.

Dr Bizi also raised concerns about the growing number of women and girls involved in drug abuse, cautioning that many families are unaware of the problem.

“A lot of housewives and young daughters are on drugs. Parents leave home for work without realising what is happening in their own houses,” he said.

He urged parents to be more vigilant about their children’s friendships, warning that peer influence plays a significant role in drug addiction.

The group is calling on religious leaders, schools, and civil society organisations to join the fight against drug abuse.

“We are not here to help the government; we are here to help ourselves. We need Nigerians—rich or poor—to support this cause. Principals, teachers, and university authorities must work with us to combat this issue,” he added.

Dr Bizi further highlighted that drug addiction contributes to rising insecurity, as many bandits and criminals operate under the influence of narcotics.

“No politician today can sleep peacefully in their village because of jobless, drug-addicted youths,” he warned.

 

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have arrested  a 24-year-old Thai lady, Ms Pattaphi Wimonnat, for attempting to smuggle 43 parcels of Canadian Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, weighing 46.60 kilograms into Nigeria through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.

She was arrested on February 20 during the inward clearance of passengers on a Qatar Airways flight from Thailand via Doha, Qatar at the arrival hall, Terminal 2 of the Lagos airport.

During the operation, the illicit consignment was found in her boxes.

A statement on Sunday by the agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, said the suspect confessed she was hired by a drug trafficker.

“She said the drug cartel, which recruited her, promised to pay her $3,000 upon successful delivery of the illicit drug consignment in Nigeria,” Babafemi added.

In a separate operation, Babafemi said another bid by a drug trafficking syndicate to ship 68 parcels of Ghanaian Loud with a total weight of 42.2kg concealed in walls of crated cartons to London, UK, through the export shed of the Lagos airport was also thwarted by NDLEA officers on February 21.

“Three suspects: a freight agent and two dispatch riders were initially arrested in connection with the seizure before the mastermind of the shipment, Samuel Bitris, was swiftly traced to his Exodus Estate, Ajah, Lagos home where he was arrested,” the statement added.

Babafemi also said at the Port Harcourt Port Complex, Onne, Rivers state, NDLEA officers on February 20 intercepted 49 cartons containing 49,000 pills of Tamil, a brand of tramadol 225mg, in a 40ft container, during a joint examination of the shipment with men of Customs Service and other security agencies.

“In Nasarawa State, NDLEA operatives on Saturday 22nd February arrested two suspects: Bello Adamu, 40, and Pius Azuka, 42 at Kokona/Keffi with 517 kg of skunk, while two other suspects: Usman Ruwa, 43, and Yunusa Haruna, 45, were nabbed in a Toyota Corolla car conveying 62.7 kilograms of skunk along Sabon Asibiti road Kontagora, Niger state on Thursday 20th February,” the statement stated.