January 25, 2026 | Nigeria
In a series of nationwide operations, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted explosives and large quantities of illicit drugs destined for multiple states, arresting suspects ranging from a 72-year-old man to a serving village head.
On Friday, January 23, NDLEA officers intercepted two bags containing 140 packets of explosives on the Kaduna–Zaria highway in Zaria. Two suspects, Aminu Ali Baba (20) and Abdulrasheed Abubakar (28), were apprehended at motor parks in Kano and Kaduna following intelligence-led operations.
In Kaduna State, a raid in Kwangila, Zaria Local Government Area, led to the arrest of Fatima Ibrahim (42) and Adejimoh Ismaila (44) with 120 kilograms of skunk. Meanwhile, Borno State operatives intercepted 179,590 pills of tramadol and diazepam hidden in sacks of charcoal and animal feed, arresting the consignment owner, Rabiu Imam (32).
In Niger State, Mrs. Eze Cynthia Chioma was arrested in Mokwa after her 78,500-pill tramadol consignment was seized. Her husband is already facing trial for a similar offence.
Ekiti State saw the arrest of 72-year-old Afolalu Joseph and Abu Bunmi (45) in Ilawe-Ekiti, with 62 kilograms of skunk recovered. Edo State authorities also detained Chief James Abamu, a village head, along with Aboy Egah Abamu, recovering 681 kilograms of skunk and 181 kilograms of cannabis seeds.
Other notable arrests include:
- Kano State: Abba Hassan, Anas Moh’d Auwal, and Sadik Ismail with 1,000 pentazocine ampoules.
- Oyo State: Olajumoke Ridwan and Baruwa Ibukun with 181.5 litres of skuchies.
- Benue & FCT: Janet Iornongu with 210 kg of skunk and Anita Job with 254.5 kg.
- Lagos: Hamisu Misbahu and Chima Obi with 39,800 tramadol pills.
- Delta State: Chinyecherem Cyprian Ugwu with 30,003 pills of tramadol, molly, other opioids, and 20 litres of codeine syrup.
- Ondo State: Kayode Obameye with 1,500 kg of skunk.
NDLEA officials emphasized that these coordinated raids are part of intensified efforts to dismantle drug networks and cut off supplies to terrorist groups, signaling a robust crackdown on illicit drug and explosives trafficking in Nigeria.
