Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have successfully dismantled a significant drug trafficking network that was using palm kernel oil tins to conceal cocaine intended for shipment to the United Kingdom. This operation has resulted in the apprehension of a suspected ringleader in Lagos.
The agency's spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, disclosed that the extensive operation, spanning three weeks, commenced on March 11, 2026. During this period, NDLEA officers at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja intercepted 3.1 kilogrammes of cocaine ingeniously hidden within tins of palm kernel extract at the export section.
Two individuals, identified as Idris Amoo and Akinlami Adedoyin, were taken into custody in connection with this particular drug shipment.
Subsequent to these arrests, a targeted sting operation was conducted on April 2, leading to the capture of the individual responsible for sending the consignment, who had been operating under a false identity. This arrest subsequently uncovered the alleged mastermind of the syndicate, identified as 52-year-old King Arinze, who was later apprehended at his hideout in the Isolo area of Lagos.
Babafemi further detailed that NDLEA agents raided the suspect’s warehouse in Bucknor, Isolo. Inside, they discovered 886 tins prepared for the concealment of drugs, alongside industrial equipment such as a sealing machine, tin openers, paint sprays, and an additional 52 grammes of cannabis. Reports indicate the suspect admitted to draining the oil from the tins to create space for hiding cocaine.
In a separate development in Borno State, NDLEA agents arrested a 28-year-old woman, Aisha Adamu. She is alleged to be involved in supplying illicit substances to bandit groups operating across the North-east region and extending into Chad. She was apprehended on the Gamboru Ngala road with 4.3 kilogrammes of Colorado, a potent synthetic cannabis strain.
Meanwhile, in Lagos, a pastor of the Celestial Church of Christ, Agonvi Sea Beach, Badagry, identified as Pastor Afolabi Hodonu, and his wife, Success Hodonu, were arrested at the Gbaji checkpoint. NDLEA officers discovered 11 kilogrammes of skunk concealed within specially made hidden compartments in their vehicle.
Babafemi stated that their arrest followed the earlier detention of a suspect posing as a security agent, Sunday Samuel, who was intercepted at the same checkpoint the previous Monday with 24.5 kilogrammes of skunk.
In Adamawa State, NDLEA operatives intercepted a truck carrying 48,000 tramadol pills along Namtari road in Yola South. The truck driver, Abdulaziz Korede, was arrested, and a follow-up operation led to the capture of the intended recipient, Idris Adamu.
Additional operations conducted nationwide resulted in multiple arrests and seizures. In Osun State, a 60-year-old woman was apprehended in Osogbo with 15 kilogrammes of skunk. In Ondo State, operatives retrieved 351 kilogrammes of skunk from a forest area in Akure.
In Benue State, a 66-year-old suspect was arrested in Aliade with 28,600 capsules of tramadol. Meanwhile, in Edo State, NDLEA agents uncovered 1,378 kilogrammes of skunk from a warehouse located in the Egbanke community.
Further, in Oyo State, a suspected drug dealer named Ayantunla Omodunmomi was arrested in Ibadan, where 45.6 kilogrammes of skunk were seized. The agency reported that she had been utilizing her 11-year-old daughter in her illicit drug distribution activities.
The NDLEA also confirmed that its nationwide War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaign continued, with awareness programmes conducted in educational institutions across Oyo, Lagos, Kano, Anambra, and Zamfara states.
Buba Marwa, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the agency, commended the officers involved in these successful operations across various commands. He highlighted, “These successful operations are a testament to the agency’s evolving intelligence capabilities and our unwavering commitment to choking the supply lines of drug cartels.”
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