Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have arrested a former Lagos councillor and carried out multiple drug seizures across Nigeria, including narcotics concealed in baby diapers and components suspected to be used for improvised explosive devices. The operations spanned several states and led to numerous arrests, recoveries, and the dismantling of illicit drug networks.
In Lagos State, officers apprehended Sheleru Sadiq Olalekan, a former two-term councillor in Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area. The 45-year-old suspect, who once represented the Orimedu community and currently works as a legislative aide, was arrested on March 2 at his residence in Ilado. A search of the property uncovered 40 kilogrammes of skunk stored in one of the rooms. Investigators said the suspect admitted ownership of the drugs and the premises.
In a separate operation in the Federal Capital Territory, operatives intercepted Emeka Okwor, a 32-year-old businessman travelling from Obollo-Afor in Enugu State to Zuba. A luggage search revealed 1,000 tablets of tapentadol 250mg concealed inside baby diapers. He reportedly told investigators the consignment was destined for Guduwa village in Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State, where he runs a provision store.
Along the Kabba–Obajana highway in Kogi State, patrol officers intercepted 1.55 kilogrammes of Colorado, a synthetic cannabis variant, hidden inside the carton of a standing fan. The substance was linked to Mey Ali Muhamat, a 36-year-old Cameroonian national travelling in a commercial bus en route to Cameroon through Lokoja, Kano and Maiduguri.
In Niger State, another patrol team stopped a commercial vehicle along the Mokwa–Jebba road and recovered 500 items suspected to be components for improvised explosive devices. The materials were concealed in a sack and reportedly headed to Pelegi community. A follow-up operation led to the arrest of the alleged recipient, Osama Abdullahi, in Mashegu Local Government Area.
Additional seizures were recorded in other states. In Adamawa State, operatives in Yola discovered 122,000 tramadol tablets and 700 grammes of methamphetamine hidden in a modified compartment of a truck transporting 2,000 cartons of local beverages.
In Kano State, officers arrested Muhammed Ali, 20, at Gadar Tamburawa with 11,283 tramadol pills.
A raid in Ogere, Ogun State, led to the arrest of Nazifi Mudansir and Kabiru Musa, who were found with 46 kilogrammes of skunk at a drug distribution point.
In Delta State, operatives apprehended Joy Chukwuma, 25, and Eugene Felix, 22, in Ogwashi-Uku. Recovered items included 18.63 kilogrammes of skunk, 10.8 litres of codeine-based syrup, and 4,268 tablets of tramadol and swinol.
A large cannabis cultivation site was dismantled in Edo State. Officers arrested Eke London, 48, and Austin Isusi, 49, at Egbisi forest in Uhumwonde Local Government Area and destroyed 1,910.25 kilogrammes of skunk across two farms. Another suspect, Alaba Adeboye, 47, was arrested in Ikhin town, Owan East Local Government Area, with 176.5 kilogrammes of the substance.
Beyond enforcement, the agency said it expanded its War Against Drug Abuse awareness campaign through sensitisation programmes in schools, religious centres and communities. Outreach activities were conducted in secondary schools across Oyo, Niger, Zamfara, Lagos, Sokoto, Ebonyi and Anambra states.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the agency, Buba Marwa, commended personnel across multiple state commands for the coordinated operations. He urged officers to maintain a dual approach of strict enforcement and sustained public education to curb drug abuse and trafficking nationwide.
