SUNTV Global Channel | April 19, 2026
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have uncovered a series of coordinated drug trafficking attempts across Nigeria, leading to multiple arrests and large-scale seizures of cocaine, cannabis, and pharmaceutical opioids concealed in food items, vehicles, and agricultural farms.
At the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, NDLEA officers intercepted 12 parcels of cocaine weighing 2.80kg hidden in the false bottoms of food flasks. The drugs were reportedly being prepared for export to the United Kingdom via a Virgin Atlantic flight. Two cargo agents, Ama Obinna Ufeim (33) and Ogabi Monday Akorede (39), were arrested, while investigations led to the apprehension of the alleged sender, 52-year-old freight forwarder Agoro Tajudeen Moninuola.
In a related operation at the airport’s import shed, operatives discovered 2.90kg of a strong cannabis strain known as “Loud,” concealed inside snack food packs imported from the United States on a Delta Airlines flight. Two clearing agents were initially detained, leading to the arrest of the consignee, 29-year-old fashion designer Saheed Adeshina Adegoke, at his residence in Ogba, Lagos.
Beyond Lagos, NDLEA recorded major breakthroughs nationwide. In Kaduna, a trailer loaded with cement was intercepted along the Kaduna–Zaria expressway, where officers discovered 847kg of skunk hidden in 760 blocks and 33 jumbo bags. The driver, Umar Garba Haruna (33), was arrested.
In Cross River State, a joint operation with security forces led to the arrest of a 53-year-old woman, Alice Sunday Udoh, in Uwet community. Officers destroyed about 15,000kg of cannabis cultivated on six hectares of farmland and recovered an additional 119kg.
Similarly, in Edo State, NDLEA operatives raided cannabis farms in Ovia North East LGA, destroying over 2,281kg of illicit drugs and arresting three suspects, including a 62-year-old man. In Delta State, more arrests were made with the seizure of over 87kg of skunk and cannabis seeds.
Meanwhile, in Lagos, two suspects were arrested along the Lagos–Badagry expressway while attempting to traffic 11,900 capsules of tramadol and 400 ampoules of phenobarbital injection to Ghana. A separate raid on Lagos Island also led to the recovery of 95.8kg of cannabis.
The NDLEA says the coordinated operations highlight the growing sophistication of drug trafficking networks but reaffirmed its commitment to dismantling them across the country.
