Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have uncovered and dismantled multiple drug trafficking operations involving cocaine, cannabis, and other illicit substances concealed in unusual packaging methods, including food flasks and snack items.
In one of the major interceptions, officers at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos discovered 12 large parcels of cocaine, weighing a total of 2.80 kilograms, hidden in the false bottom of food flasks. The consignment was reportedly destined for the United Kingdom aboard a Virgin Atlantic flight. The seizure was made at the airport’s export section during a routine inspection operation.
Following the discovery, two cargo agents linked to the shipment were arrested on the spot. They were identified as 33-year-old Ama Obinna Ufeim and 39-year-old Ogabi Monday Akorede. Subsequent investigations led to the arrest of a 52-year-old freight forwarder believed to be the sender of the illicit cargo. Authorities stated that the operation was part of ongoing efforts to curb the use of legitimate export channels for drug trafficking.
In a separate but related operation at the same airport’s import terminal, officers intercepted another shipment containing 2.90 kilograms of a strong strain of cannabis commonly known as “Loud.” The substance was concealed in food snack packs and arrived from the United States through a commercial flight.
Two cargo clearing agents were initially taken into custody in connection with the consignment. Further intelligence-led operations later resulted in the arrest of a 29-year-old fashion designer identified as the alleged recipient of the shipment. He was apprehended at a residential location in Lagos following surveillance operations linked to the intercepted drugs.
Beyond Lagos, anti-narcotics operations extended to several other states, where large-scale seizures and arrests were recorded.
Along the Kaduna–Zaria highway, operatives intercepted a trailer loaded with cement but secretly used to transport 847 kilograms of cannabis. The driver of the vehicle was arrested during the operation after a search revealed the concealed drugs hidden within the cargo.
In Cross River State, a joint operation involving security forces led to the arrest of a 53-year-old woman in a forested area of Akamkpa Local Government. Authorities uncovered a large cannabis plantation spanning approximately six hectares, where thousands of kilograms of skunk were being cultivated. A significant portion of the farm was destroyed during the raid, while additional quantities of harvested cannabis were recovered from the site.
Similarly, in Edo State, security operatives carried out another raid on a cannabis farm located in a rural settlement. The operation led to the destruction of over two thousand kilograms of cannabis plants. Several suspects were arrested during the exercise, with additional quantities of processed cannabis and seeds recovered from them.
In Delta State, anti-drug officers apprehended two suspects in possession of large quantities of skunk and related substances. The drugs were reportedly being transported within the state before the interception, and both individuals were taken into custody for further investigation.
In Lagos, another operation along the Lagos–Badagry corridor led to the arrest of two individuals found transporting a large quantity of controlled pharmaceuticals, including thousands of capsules of tramadol and several ampoules of injectable substances suspected to be diverted for illicit use. The suspects were reportedly en route to a neighbouring West African country when they were intercepted.
In a separate raid on Lagos Island, operatives stormed a residential building where a substantial quantity of cannabis was recovered. The operation formed part of a wider crackdown on drug distribution networks operating within urban areas of the state.
Authorities have described these coordinated operations as part of an intensified nationwide campaign targeting drug trafficking syndicates that use sophisticated concealment methods to evade detection. The methods uncovered in recent seizures include hiding drugs inside everyday household items such as food flasks, snack packages, commercial vehicles, and residential properties.
Security officials have emphasized that these arrests and seizures reflect ongoing efforts to disrupt both local and international drug trafficking networks. Investigations are continuing to trace broader supply chains and identify additional collaborators linked to the intercepted consignments.
The anti-drug agency leadership has reiterated its commitment to sustaining enforcement operations alongside public awareness campaigns aimed at reducing drug abuse and trafficking. Officers have been urged to maintain vigilance and strengthen intelligence gathering in order to further dismantle drug networks operating across the country.
The recent wave of operations highlights an escalating effort to combat drug-related crimes through coordinated surveillance, targeted raids, and cross-border enforcement strategies aimed at reducing the flow of illicit substances.
The Federal Government has approved a significant increase in funding for the prosecution of Boko Haram-related terrorism cases and other related offences under the Federal Ministry of Justice in the 2026 national budget. The allocation, which stands at N1.371bn, represents a sharp rise compared to the N530m earmarked for the same purpose in the 2025 fiscal year. The increase translates to about a 159 per cent rise year-on-year, reflecting a […]
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