NDLEA Arrests Lagos Drug Kingpins, Foils Supplies to Bandits, and Destroys 24,000kg Cannabis in Nationwide Crackdown

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intensified its war against drug trafficking and criminal cartels, announcing a string of major breakthroughs across Nigeria. In coordinated operations, the agency arrested two notorious drug kingpins in Lagos, intercepted consignments meant for bandits and terrorists in the Northeast, and destroyed over 24,000 kilograms of cannabis in Edo State.

Lagos: Drug Kingpins Unmasked

After weeks of surveillance, NDLEA’s Special Operations Unit (SOU) apprehended two high-profile traffickers posing as respectable businessmen.

• Victor Nwosa (64), a textile merchant, was arrested on September 17, 2025, at his Okota residence, where officers seized 4.33kg of heroin and 448g of cocaine.
• Felix Chika Obiegbu (49), who fronted as a wine distributor, was caught on September 11 in Surulere with 2.9kg of methamphetamine ready for export to Europe.

Northeast: Supplies to Terrorists Stopped

In Borno and Yobe, operatives disrupted attempts to deliver hard drugs to bandits and insurgents.

• In Borno, 26-year-old Baba Kaka Ibrahim was caught driving a Mercedes Jeep loaded with 39,380 pills of Tramadol and Exol-5, hidden in the engine.
• In Yobe, NDLEA arrested Halima Adamu on the Damaturu-Maiduguri highway with 1.4kg of Colorado (synthetic cannabis) concealed in her luggage. A follow-up operation led to the arrest of Habiba Muhammad in Maiduguri.

Edo: 24,000kg Cannabis Farms Destroyed

The agency launched a massive offensive in Edo State, eradicating large cannabis farms:

• On September 23, officers destroyed 12,115kg of Skunk on a 4.8-hectare plantation in Uromi forest, arresting suspects Ernest Uche and Felix Mugorga.
• A day later, another 12,031kg of Skunk was destroyed on 4.4 hectares in Ogu forest, Igueben LGA.
  Additionally, a truck transporting 1,025kg of Skunk disguised in charcoal bags was intercepted on the Wareke-Auchi road.

Nationwide Arrests and Seizures

Other major busts recorded across states include:

• Kano – 30,030 Tramadol pills seized, two suspects arrested.
• Bayelsa – three suspects caught with 12kg of Skunk and 50 cartridges at Swali jetty.
• Ekiti – an ex-convict, Femi Owoeye, rearrested with 32kg of Skunk.
• Kaduna – 404 blocks of Skunk (262.6kg) seized at Abuja-Kaduna tollgate; follow-up arrest made in Gombe.

NDLEA’s Commitment

NDLEA Chairman/CEO, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), praised the agency’s officers for their “dexterity and dedication,” stressing that every seizure helps protect Nigerian youths, disrupt criminal supply chains, and enhance national security.

“Every gram of these dangerous drugs we seize reinforces our determination to protect our youths, dismantle criminal networks, and safeguard public health,” Marwa stated.