Cocaine, Loud Recovered From Microwaves, Lipsticks As NDLEA Nabs Wanted Drug kingpin

In a sweeping series of coordinated operations across multiple states, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intensified its offensive against drug trafficking networks, leading to the arrest of several high-profile suspects and the recovery of large quantities of illicit substances. The operations, which spanned from Lagos to Borno, Edo, and Taraba states, saw narcotics concealed in ingenious ways—including inside microwaves and ladies’ lipsticks—intercepted by vigilant operatives.

At the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja Lagos, NDLEA operatives made two major interceptions of drugs cleverly disguised to evade detection. On Monday, July 7, 2025, officers acting on credible intelligence intercepted a consolidated cargo that arrived aboard an Ethiopian Airlines flight from Bangkok, Thailand, via Addis Ababa. A thorough search of the cargo revealed 23 parcels of Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, weighing 11.3 kilograms concealed in newly imported microwaves. The suspect, identified as Ezenwegbu Chike, was taken into custody in connection with the seizure.

In a similar bust, NDLEA officers uncovered another shipment of cocaine hidden within 84 pieces of female lipsticks bound for Malabo, Guinea. The discovery came barely a week after a similar method was used to smuggle 420 grams of cocaine to the UK. This latest haul included 400 grams of cocaine mixed with phenacetine, a known adulterant. Following a sting operation, Ezeikwelume Prince Afam, a businessman operating from the Trade Fair Complex in Ojo, Lagos, was arrested on Friday, July 11.

One of the most notable victories in this latest NDLEA crackdown was the arrest of Okechukwu Izugha, also known as Okey Omeogo, a notorious drug kingpin who had eluded authorities for 12 months. Izugha was captured on Wednesday, July 9, at his wife’s shop in the bustling Ijesha Market, Lagos. His troubles began on August 7, 2024, when 9 kilograms of cocaine were recovered from an associate, Obiora Joseph Agudosi, who was intercepted at a motor park in Orile while en route to deliver the consignment in the southeast. Izugha was identified as the mastermind behind the shipment. Further investigation led to the arrest of his wife, Maureen Izugha, on January 21, 2025, when 500 grams of cocaine were found in her beverage shop. She was later convicted and sentenced to two years imprisonment. The arrest of Okechukwu brings to a close one of NDLEA’s longest-running manhunts.

In Edo State, NDLEA agents carried out a large-scale destruction operation on Tuesday, July 8, in Ewere Uzebba forest, Owan West Local Government Area, where over 28,054 kilograms of cannabis plants (locally known as skunk) were destroyed on three farms spanning 11 hectares. Additionally, 82 kilograms of processed cannabis were seized. As officers exited the forest, they came under heavy gunfire from cartel gunmen. The operatives successfully repelled the attack, though one of their vehicles was riddled with bullets.

In Lagos, operatives seized 1,400 compressed blocks of Ghana Loud, totaling 700 kilograms, at Okun-Ajah Beach, along with a Ford delivery truck (JJJ 698 YJ). Two suspects, Innocent Ejidiobo and Friday Paul, were arrested along the Ajah-Epe expressway on July 11. The suspects were found with 26kg of Ghana Loud, 123 grams of methamphetamine, 45 grams of Molly, and a delivery van (AJK 191 LG).

In Borno State, on July 12, NDLEA officers arrested Godwin Chimaobi Nwaobi, 42, in Njimtilo, Maiduguri, with 18,759 ampoules of pentazocine, tramadol, and rohypnol. This came just days after Abdulrahman Bello Ahmadu, 34, was caught with 10,000 pills of tramadol on July 9.

In Gombe State, a joint operation yielded 116,226 pills of tramadol and D-5 from five suspects: Hafiz Bello (22), Isah Suleman (48), Kabiru Muhammed (30), Abdullahi Adamu (30), and Abel Murna (25). The seizures took place at Gombe Main Market and along the Gombe-Kano road.

In Kogi State, a suspect, Sabiu Bala, was arrested on July 10 while transporting 316.6 kilograms of skunk on the Okene-Lokoja expressway. In Kaduna, Haladu Suleiman, 38, was apprehended with 58.805 kilograms of skunk in Gubuchi area of Ikara LGA.

Taraba State saw a major bust on July 12 at Lanka Viri checkpoint, where 577,890 pills of opioids and 1.16kg of skunk were discovered hidden inside the tyre compartment of a petrol tanker (MUB 334 YH). Three suspects: Auwal Ibrahim (30), Lukman Ibrahim (18), and Hamza Adamu (25) were arrested. Meanwhile, in Kano, NDLEA officers apprehended Shamsudini Abdullahi (35), Adamu Abdullahi (21), and Magaji Rabo (26) with 48.1kg of skunk at Janguza Barracks on July 9.

Beyond its law enforcement operations, NDLEA also expanded its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy efforts during the week. Sensitization lectures were held in various schools and communities, including Word of Promise High School, Calabar, Cross River; Government Girls Arabic Senior Secondary School, Indabo Wudil, Kano; Community Secondary School, Umundu, Enugu; Okemagba Senior High School, Epe, Lagos; Bishop Gideon Otubelu Memorial College, Ukpo, Anambra; and traditional rulers in Bende, Abia State.

NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended officers across the MMIA, SOU, Edo, Lagos, Taraba, Kano, Kogi, Gombe, Borno, and Kaduna Commands for their dedication and bravery. “I commend the officers and men of the Agency for their relentless commitment to ridding our society of illicit drugs. Your actions have struck a balance between reducing drug supply and curbing drug demand,” he said in a statement issued Sunday, July 13.

As the NDLEA continues its dual strategy of enforcement and education, its efforts are sending a strong message to drug cartels that Nigeria remains a hostile environment for drug trafficking and abuse.