NDLEA recovers tons of skunk, opioids in Ekiti, Edo, Cross River, Gombe, Taraba, FCT, Lagos raids; nabs wanted businessman linked to Tincan port ‘Loud’ shipment
A notorious drug trafficker, Nwobodo Chidiebere Basil, previously convicted of dealing in 30.10kg methamphetamine in 2023, has again been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) following the seizure of 75 parcels of cocaine weighing 1.50 kilograms, concealed in factory-sealed sachets of cold-water starch heading to the United Kingdom at the export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos.
Three cargo agents—Jubrin Firdausi Hassana, Kuku Daniel Oluwasegun, and Igwe Chioma Jane—involved in the attempt to export the consignment to the UK were swiftly arrested on Saturday, 20th December 2025, before further investigations unraveled 37-year-old Nwobodo Chidiebere Basil as the mastermind. He was arrested in a follow-up operation on Sunday, 21st December, at a popular relaxation centre in Ikeja where he went on a date with his girlfriend.
The Agency’s criminal database revealed that Nwobodo had been arrested in May 2023 in connection with the seizure of 30.10kg methamphetamine concealed in powdered custard containers as part of a consolidated cargo going to London, United Kingdom at the export shed of Lagos airport. He was subsequently arraigned at a Federal High Court in charge number: FHC/L/337C/2023, convicted, and sentenced to five years imprisonment with an option of a fine of Seven Million Naira (₦7,000,000.00), along with one-month community service, with effect from 4th December 2023. He paid the fine and soon after returned to the same crime.
In another successful operation, NDLEA operatives on Monday, 22nd December, set ablaze tons of skunk, a strain of cannabis, and wooden warehouses in Ara forest, Ara-Ekiti, where 638 kilograms of the same psychoactive substance were also recovered. No fewer than 1,205 blocks of compressed cannabis sativa, weighing 883.1kg, were recovered from three Toyota Camry vehicles intercepted by NDLEA operatives on patrol along Igara-Auchi road, Edo state, on Monday, 22nd December.
In Cross River state, raid operations conducted on Sunday, 21st December, at Agoi-Ibami community, Yakurr LGA, led to the arrest of three suspects and seizure of various quantities of skunk. They include: Freedom Jonah Akpama, 27, with 671kg; David Itam David, 30, with 89kg; and Nelson Arikpo Osam, 26, with 148kg.
In another operation, a 42-year-old lady, Joy Oisamaye, was arrested with 38kg skunk by NDLEA operatives on patrol along Abaji-Abuja expressway on Monday, 22nd December, on her way from Otua in Owan East LGA, Edo state.
While NDLEA operatives in Lagos arrested a female suspect, Ajoke Dauda, with 45.5kg skunk on Christmas day, Thursday, 25th December, at Agbara along Badagry expressway, another suspect, Oluwasegun Felix, was nabbed with 18.5kg of the same substance at Itoga, Badagry, the previous day, Wednesday, 24th December.
In Takum area of Taraba state, two other suspects, Emmanuel Danladi, 39, and John Onoja, 41, were nabbed with 48kg of the same substance on Wednesday, 24th, and Tuesday, 23rd December, respectively.
In Gombe state, a 65-year-old driver, Sada’u Mohammed, was arrested while conveying 300 ampoules of pentazocine injection and 27,900 pills of tramadol, and other opioids along Gombe-Biu highway, heading to Biu in Borno state.
Meanwhile, a 47-year-old businessman, Ignatius Egbochie (alias Brown), wanted in connection with the seizure of 56 parcels of Loud, a strain of cannabis, weighing 26kg at the Tincan seaport in Lagos, has been arrested by NDLEA operatives. The illicit drug consignment was seized on 10th December during a joint examination of a container by NDLEA, Customs, and other security agencies. A follow-up operation by NDLEA operatives on 19th December led to the arrest of Ignatius in Apapa.
Across all Commands and formations of the Agency nationwide, NDLEA officers continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization activities in schools, worship centres, workplaces, and communities among others in the past week. These include WADA enlightenment lectures to students and staff of Destiny Child Academy, Nkpor, Anambra, during their holiday skills acquisition training; women and teachers at Makaratar Mata Tatunawa da Marigayi Mustapha Nuhu, Kuki Gawo, Dutsinma LGA, Katsina; and youths of Odokoro-Gbede, Ijumu LGA, Kogi state, among others.
While commending the officers and men of the MMIA, Lagos, Tincan, Seme, Ekiti, Edo, Cross River, FCT, Gombe, and Taraba Commands for the arrests and seizures, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), acknowledged their commitment and enjoined them, as well as their colleagues nationwide, to remain extra vigilant throughout the festive season and beyond. He charged them to maintain the highest standard of professionalism in all their drug control efforts.
