TD Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted more than 1.3 million tablets and capsules of tramadol and other opioids, alongside about 6,000 kilograms of cannabis, in a series of operations across eight states and the Federal Capital Territory.
According to the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the seizures have a combined estimated street value of more than ₦3.4 billion.
The operations were conducted in Lagos, Edo, Niger, Delta, Ondo, Gombe, Imo and the FCT, with the agency also reporting the arrest of suspected drug traffickers and the seizure of firearms and ammunition.
₦1.81bn Canadian Loud intercepted at Lagos port
One of the largest seizures occurred at the Tin-Can Island Port in Lagos, where NDLEA operatives intercepted 1,200 parcels of Canadian Loud weighing 603.75kg.
The agency valued the consignment at ₦1.811 billion.
Babafemi said the drugs were discovered inside a 40-foot container shipped from Montreal, Canada, which arrived at the port on September 12.
Following intelligence received by the agency, the container was placed under surveillance before a joint physical examination involving NDLEA, the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies on September 16.
The examination reportedly uncovered the cannabis concealed in 31 black jumbo bags, which were loaded inside two Toyota Sienna vehicles within the container.
Suspected fake police officer arrested with 292kg cannabis
In Delta State, NDLEA arrested 49-year-old Innocent Ekpe along the Benin-Onitsha Expressway in Asaba on September 16.
The agency said Ekpe was found with 292.48kg of skunk concealed inside a silver Toyota Sienna bus.
According to Babafemi, investigations indicated that Ekpe allegedly presented himself as Godwin Emeka, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, and used a forged police identification card to evade scrutiny at checkpoints while transporting illicit consignments.
A 39-year-old alleged accomplice, Nduka Joseph, was also arrested.
The allegation that Ekpe impersonated a police officer remains a matter for investigation and prosecution.
Mechanic allegedly used workshop as drug storage facility
In Edo State, NDLEA operatives acting on intelligence raided a location along Agbor Road, Benin City, where they arrested 45-year-old mechanic Matthew Ossai.
The agency alleged that Ossai’s automobile-repair workshop was being used as a front for storing illicit drugs.
NDLEA said officers recovered:
- 48kg of Canadian Loud
- 152g of methamphetamine
- A metal box allegedly used to store the substances.
More than 1.1 million tramadol tablets seized
On the Abaji-Abuja Highway, NDLEA officers arrested Aminu Isyaku, 23, and Jamilu Habibu, 25, on September 18.
The agency said the suspects were transporting more than 1.1 million assorted tramadol tablets and capsules, together with codeine syrup, methamphetamine and Exol tablets.
The substances were allegedly concealed in eight sacks and were being transported from Onitsha, Anambra State, to Mararaba, Nasarawa State.
Three young suspects arrested with firearms in Niger
In Niger State, NDLEA operatives on patrol along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway at Chachi, Tafa Local Government Area, arrested three young suspects on September 15.
They were identified as:
- Bashir Usman, 20
- Abubakar Nuhu, 18
- Abdulrahman Abdulwahab, 18
According to the agency, officers recovered two locally fabricated AK-47 rifles and a magazine, a locally made pistol with a magazine, and nine rounds of 9mm ammunition concealed in a black travel bag.
The firearms seizure was part of the wider series of operations announced by the agency, although the NDLEA statement did not establish that the firearms were directly connected to the drug consignments.
NDLEA reports further seizures across Lagos, Gombe and Imo
In Lagos, NDLEA arrested Onyeka Ofor at his residence in Aguda, Surulere, where officers allegedly recovered 48,900 tablets of tramadol 225mg.
The agency also intercepted 59kg of cannabis sativa at a logistics company and arrested a suspect identified as Luke Ugokwe.
In another Lagos operation, 43-year-old Ibrahim Hudu was arrested at Apongbo with 998.38kg of nitrous oxide gas, according to the NDLEA.
In Gombe State, officers recovered 154,480 tramadol capsules from two suspects, Sabi’u Umar, 27, and Hassana Muhammad, 19, who were arrested separately.
Meanwhile, in Imo State, NDLEA arrested 25-year-old Ifesinachi Godwin along the Owerri-Onitsha Road with 43.85kg of skunk.
5,000kg cannabis farm destroyed in Ondo
NDLEA operatives also raided a two-hectare cannabis farm in Ita-Ogbolu forest, Ondo State, on September 15.
The agency said 5,000kg of skunk was destroyed during the operation.
Four suspects — Blessing Effiong, Saviour Peter, David Friday Sunday and Ability Peter Sunday — were arrested.
NDLEA said an additional 48kg of dry and fresh cannabis was recovered from the location for use in prosecuting the suspects.
Agency continues anti-drug sensitisation campaign
Beyond arrests and seizures, Babafemi said NDLEA commands across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation programmes during the week.
The activities included engagements with students and staff of schools in Ogbomoso, Awka, Epe and Jalingo, as well as an advocacy visit by the Delta Ports Command to the traditional ruler of the Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Kingdom.
Marwa commends officers
NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd.), commended personnel from the Lagos, Tin-Can, Edo, Niger, Delta, Ondo, Gombe, Imo and FCT commands for what he described as professional and intelligence-driven operations.
He urged NDLEA personnel to maintain what he called a balanced approach to drug-control efforts.
The latest seizures come as the agency continues nationwide operations targeting the trafficking, distribution and cultivation of illicit drugs.
This Dawn News notes that the allegations against the arrested suspects are allegations at this stage.
The suspects are entitled to due process and a presumption of innocence until proven guilty by a court.
The report is based primarily on the September 20, 2026, statement by NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy Femi Babafemi, corroborated by reports from Nigerian media outlets.
