By Palma Ileye
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted 8,725 kilogrammes of tramadol powder valued at over ₦6.98 billion at the Apapa Port in Lagos and arrested a woman allegedly attempting to smuggle cannabis to Saudi Arabia through the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport.
The agency also reported multiple drug seizures and arrests across several states, including the recovery of nearly 895,000 tramadol capsules and Exol-5 tablets in Bauchi State, as well as the destruction of 7,500 kilogrammes of cannabis at a farm in Ondo State.
The NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, disclosed the operations in a statement issued on Sunday.
According to the agency, the woman, identified as Fatimah Ahmad, was arrested on Friday, October 16, during the outward clearance of an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, via Addis Ababa.
Operatives discovered 511.75 grammes of cannabis concealed in a gallon of palm oil. Ahmad reportedly told investigators that her cousin, Abubakar Yahaya, gave her the container. Yahaya was subsequently arrested at the airport car park.
At the Apapa Port, Lagos, NDLEA operatives, working with the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies, uncovered a shipment of tramadol powder from India on October 2. The consignment had been falsely declared as maize starch.
Laboratory analysis confirmed that the substance was tramadol hydrochloride. Following the removal of the concealment on October 14, the drugs were found in 349 bags weighing 8,725kg, with an estimated street value exceeding ₦6.98 billion.
At the Tin Can Island Port, Lagos, operatives on October 12 discovered 55kg of Canadian Loud, valued at ₦165 million, concealed in a Toyota Sienna vehicle inside a 40-foot container.
In another operation, NDLEA operatives arrested Elizabeth Chidera Kalu at her store in Idumota Market on October 14, recovering 10,600 ampoules of diazepam injection and 6,500 tablets of Molly.
Two 35-year-old men, Idowu Daudu and Ahmed Oniyinde, were also arrested in Mushin on October 15 with 59.95kg and 61.23kg of skunk, respectively.
Similarly, operatives intercepted a truck along Iyana Oba following intelligence reports and recovered 18,000 tablets of tramadol 250mg concealed in cartons labelled as Rambo insecticide. The truck’s loading manager, Tajudeen Adeduntan, and his assistant, Azeez Sikiru, were arrested.
In Edo State, raids conducted in communities across Owan East Local Government Area between October 15 and 16 led to the arrest of six suspects and the recovery of cannabis and other illicit substances.
Among those arrested were 85-year-old Grace Ehimeka, allegedly found with 179kg of skunk in Warake, and 53-year-old Ayo Aigberadion, who was apprehended with 220.8kg in Ewe/Irue. Other suspects were allegedly found with cannabis, cannabis seeds, tramadol, Swinol, diazepam and Canadian Loud.
In Ondo State, the agency raided a cannabis farm in Okemoro Isinbode camp forest on October 17, destroying 7,500kg of skunk cultivated on three hectares of land and arresting five suspects.
The operation also yielded 92 bags of skunk weighing 1,267kg, 11kg of cannabis seeds and 3kg of fresh cannabis stems, bringing the total weight of recovered exhibits to 1,281kg.
In a separate operation in Owo, operatives recovered 375kg of cannabis packed in 25 bags at the hideout of a 53-year-old suspect, Okunebe Ndidi, in Ameyinti.
In Bauchi State, NDLEA officers intercepted a Volkswagen Golf wagon at Ragwam village in Katagum Local Government Area on October 14, recovering 894,800 tramadol capsules and Exol-5 tablets from 35-year-old Shamsu Garba.
The agency also reported recovering 291 blocks of cannabis weighing 265kg from an abandoned vehicle at Tudun Natsira village along the Bauchi-Gombe Road.
The NDLEA said the operations were part of its sustained efforts to dismantle drug trafficking networks, disrupt the distribution of illicit substances and bring those involved in the illegal trade to justice.
