In a sweeping anti-narcotics crackdown spanning over 10 states, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted large quantities of illicit substances and arrested multiple suspects, including a hotel-based dealer, international traffickers, and roadside couriers.

According to Femi Babafemi, Director of Media and Advocacy for the NDLEA, the operations took place between July 14 and July 19, 2025, with major seizures recorded at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.

“Our operatives at MMIA, in collaboration with aviation security from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), arrested one Omoregie Nice Uyiosa, an outbound passenger on Turkish Airlines headed to Italy via Istanbul,” Babafemi said.

Uyiosa was reportedly in possession of 7,790 pills of tramadol and rohypnol, which he confessed he intended to sell in Europe.

Drug-Laced Cereal Shipment Headed to Pakistan

On July 17, airport operatives also intercepted a bizarre consignment: 17 parcels of skunk (1.7kg total weight) concealed inside packs of cereal. The shipment was bound for Pakistan. One suspect, Chioba Robert Uchenna, who attempted to export the package, was arrested.

Lagos Hotel Turned Drug Den

A key breakthrough came on July 19, when NDLEA agents stormed Sarah Sam Hotels in Ogudu, Kosofe LGA, Lagos. The 20-room hotel had allegedly been converted into a distribution point for recreational drugs.

Recovered from the hotel were:

  • 1.3kg of chocolate cannabis

  • 900g of cannabis-laced gummies

  • 22.9g of skunk

The main suspect, Obayemi Oyetade, was arrested with three vehicles and illicit drugs found in his room.

Crackdown in Kaduna, Kano, Gombe, and More

  • In Kaduna, three suspects—Onyeka Madu, Monday Nwadishi, and Emmanuel Madu—were caught with 742.8kg of skunk and Colorado (a potent synthetic variant of cannabis).

  • In Kano, Lawan Rabiu was arrested with 36,000 tramadol pills on the Danbatta-Kazaure highway.

  • In Gombe, Aliyu Abubakar was caught with 25,000 tablets of tramadol and Exol-5, while Mohammed Adamu and Furaira Idris were nabbed with 29kg of compressed skunk in Kwadom, Yemaltu Deba LGA.

  • In Maiduguri, Borno State, officers intercepted a Mercedes-Benz containing 74,360 opioid pills. The driver, Audu Modu (44), was taken into custody.

Notable Arrests in Bayelsa, Kogi, Abia, and Beyond

  • In Bayelsa, a 63-year-old woman, Akuna Nelson, was apprehended with 163 litres of skuchies, a dangerous mix of alcohol and drugs.

  • In Kogi, four men were arrested along the Okene-Lokoja highway with 2kg of methamphetamine.

  • In Abia, NDLEA stormed the Aba home of notorious dealer Nduka Obi (39) and seized a cocktail of tramadol, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and ₦736,000 in cash.

  • In Enugu, Chisom Okpalaeke (30) was caught with 45,000 tramadol tablets.

  • In Taraba, Ngwokwoka Thomas and Mohammed Audu, both 44, were arrested with 10,000 tramadol capsules and cannabis in Gassol LGA.

NDLEA Vows Continued Clampdown

The agency reaffirmed its commitment to uprooting drug trafficking networks across Nigeria.

“These arrests underscore the determination of NDLEA to shut down all channels of drug distribution—from hotels to highways, airports to neighborhoods,” Babafemi emphasized.

Families and communities are urged to remain vigilant and report suspicious drug-related activities to local authorities.