The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intensified its crackdown on drug trafficking networks across Nigeria, arresting a notorious drug kingpin, intercepting cocaine concealed in lipsticks, and destroying over 28,000 kilograms of cannabis in forest raids.
A statement released on Sunday by NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi detailed a string of major operations conducted between July 7 and 12, 2025, targeting smuggling rings operating within and outside the country.
Cocaine and Loud Seized at Lagos Airport
At the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos, NDLEA operatives intercepted parcels of Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, concealed in microwave ovens imported from Thailand.
The discovery followed a meticulous search of consolidated cargo flown in on Ethiopian Airlines from Bangkok via Addis Ababa. The search uncovered 23 parcels of Loud weighing 11.3kg. A suspect, Ezenwegbu Chike, has been arrested in connection with the seizure.
In a related operation, the agency recovered 400 grams of cocaine concealed inside lipstick casings bound for Malabo, Equatorial Guinea. The illicit substance was hidden among cosmetic products and hair attachments at the airport’s export shed. A businessman, Ezeikwelume Prince Afam, was apprehended on July 11 in connection with the smuggling attempt.
This bust followed an earlier interception of 420 grams of cocaine hidden in 84 lipstick tubes destined for the UK via a courier company in Lagos.
Year-Long Manhunt Ends With Arrest of Kingpin
In one of the most significant breakthroughs of the week, NDLEA’s Special Operations Unit arrested a long-wanted drug baron, Okechukwu Izugha, alias Okey Omeogo, at his wife’s shop in Ijesha Market, Lagos, on July 9.
“Izugha came under NDLEA radar on 7th August 2024 after a 9kg cocaine was recovered from a suspect Obiora Joseph Agudosi, at a motor park in Orile, Lagos while going to deliver the consignment in the southeast. Izugha was identified as the owner of the seized drug,” the statement said.
Izugha had been on the run for nearly a year after being linked to a 9kg cocaine consignment seized from a courier in Orile, Lagos, on August 7, 2024.
During the agency’s investigation into his network, Izugha’s wife, Maureen Izugha, was arrested on January 21, 2025, with 500 grams of cocaine at her beverage store. She was later convicted and sentenced to two years in prison. Unaware that the agency remained on his trail, Izugha resurfaced and was swiftly apprehended.
28,000kg of Skunk Destroyed in Edo Forest
In Edo State, NDLEA officers destroyed over 28,000kg of skunk cannabis grown on more than 11 hectares of farmland in Ewere Uzebba forest, Owan West Local Government Area. The operation, which took place on July 8, also yielded 82kg of processed cannabis.
The team came under armed attack from cartel members as they exited the forest. Although one operational vehicle was riddled with bullets, no injuries were reported, and the officers safely repelled the ambush.
Multi-State Raids Yield Massive Drug Seizures
Other major seizures recorded in the past week include 1,400 blocks of Ghana Loud (700kg) recovered at Okun-Ajah Beach; two suspects arrested along Ajah-Epe Expressway with 26kg of Ghana Loud, 123g of methamphetamine, 45g of Molly, and a delivery van, all in Lagos State.
In Borno State, Godwin Chimaobi Nwaobi was arrested with 18,759 ampoules of pentazocine, tramadol, and rohypnol. Another suspect, Abdulrahman Bello Ahmadu, was caught earlier with 10,000 pills of tramadol.
Also, 116,226 pills of tramadol and D5 were recovered from five suspects in raids at Gombe Main Market and along Gombe-Kano Road.
Sabiu Bala was arrested with 316.6kg of skunk along Okene-Lokoja expressway in Kogi State while Haladu Suleiman, 38, was arrested with 58.8kg of skunk in Gubuchi, Ikara LGA in Kaduna State.
In Taraba State, three suspects were caught at Lanka Viri checkpoint transporting 577,890 pills of opioids and 1.16kg of skunk hidden in a petrol tanker’s tyre compartment.
Three suspects were arrested with 48.1kg of skunk at Janguza Barracks area in Kano State.