![NDLEA Arrests Two Brothers, Foreign Student, and Dozens More in Widespread Anti-Drug Operations [Photos]](https://gists9ja.com.ng/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/1001856478.jpg)
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested two brothers, John Abugu (43) and Kenneth Abugu (31), at Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) for attempting to traffic 5 kilograms of cocaine.
The illicit substance was cleverly concealed within the lining of their suitcases.
The arrest, which occurred on Thursday, April 3, 2025, was confirmed by NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, in a statement released on Sunday. According to the agency, the suspects claimed they were traveling to India for medical purposes, but a detailed inspection revealed otherwise.
In a separate incident at the same airport on the same day, a 20-year-old Ghanaian-British national, Parker Darren Hazekia Osei, was caught with 36 parcels of cannabis, popularly known as “Loud,” weighing a total of 19.4 kg. The suspect, who identified himself as a Computer Science student at East London University, admitted he had collected the consignment in Bangkok, Thailand, for delivery in Nigeria.
Nationwide Crackdown: From Kogi to Cross River
Elsewhere, in Kogi State, NDLEA officers apprehended 33-year-old Ngozi Ogili traveling from Lagos to Abuja with 3 kg of methamphetamine. She was arrested on March 31 aboard a commercial bus along the Okene-Lokoja highway. A follow-up operation in Abuja’s Apo mechanic area uncovered additional stashes of synthetic cannabis, including “Loud” and “Colorado.”
In Abia State, two suspects were nabbed in separate raids: 75-year-old Nna Nnanna Felix was arrested in Ukwa West LGA with 1.6 kg of skunk on April 5, while 21-year-old David Chinemerem was found in possession of 2,050 ampoules of the injectable opioid, pentazocine, in Aba on April 1.
Yobe State also recorded success as operatives seized 381 bottles of codeine syrup and 108 tablets of tramadol from Abdullahi Adamu during a highway patrol on April 5.
Meanwhile, coordinated operations in Anambra led to multiple arrests across Onitsha, Oba (Idemili LGA), and a motor park in Osogbo. NDLEA recovered a significant quantity of controlled drugs: 195,000 tramadol pills, 4.2 kg of codeine syrup, and 5.4 kg of pentazocine.
In Abuja, a raid at Wuse Market on April 3 led to the arrest of 51-year-old Sunday Ayogu. He was found with 25 kg of skunk and over 90 grams of methamphetamine.
Massive Cannabis Farms Destroyed in Cross River
One of the largest busts occurred in Cross River State, where NDLEA, with support from the Nigerian Army, arrested two women—Faith Effiong Etim (64) and Victoria Asuquo Etim (40)—during an operation in Esuk-Odot, Odukpani LGA. Officers discovered and destroyed over 100 hectares of farmland used to cultivate cannabis, weighing approximately 250,000 kg.
NDLEA Chairman/CEO, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), commended the efforts of officers across the country, praising their dual focus on disrupting drug supply chains and addressing drug demand.
He noted that the agency’s strategic operations continue to yield significant results in curbing drug trafficking and abuse in Nigeria.
See photos from the various operations below:
