The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled a drug trafficking syndicate that was smuggling opioids concealed within the soles of shoes and hair attachments. These shipments were destined for the United States, the United Kingdom, and Cyprus. The operation, which took place at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Ikeja and involved three courier companies in Lagos, has revealed alarming figures regarding the scale of drug trafficking.
On October 12, 2024, officials intercepted 2,118 tramadol pills hidden inside the soles of 13 pairs of shoes bound for Cyprus at the airport’s export shed. A subsequent raid on October 24 led to the recovery of an additional 380 tramadol tablets at the residence of the alleged sender, Okenwa Kelvin Uchenna, in Enugu. At the time of his arrest, Uchenna was also found in possession of N968,880 in cash and a Toyota Avalon vehicle bearing the registration UWN 389 AS.
Additionally, NDLEA operatives seized 293 ampoules of promethazine and pentazocine injections, as well as 1.690 kg of cannabis and tramadol tablets concealed within hair attachments and shoe soles. These consignments were intercepted at three courier firms on October 24, with destinations including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Oman. The agency reported that a staggering total of 26,250,000 tramadol pills and 508,400 bottles of codeine syrup, valued at an estimated N16.68 billion, were intercepted during thorough examinations of containers at Tin-Can Port in Lagos and Port Harcourt Port, Onne, from October 22 to 23.
During this joint inspection, other significant drug discoveries included 10 million Toradol Benzhexol tablets and 700 kg of methamphetamine, as well as 28 kg of Loud, a potent synthetic strain of cannabis that had arrived from Canada. A suspect named Tsolaye Eburajolo, 40, was apprehended in the Ago Palace area of Okota, Lagos, in connection with the cannabis seizure. A N10 million bribe intended to secure his release from custody has been confiscated as evidence for the prosecution.
In another operation on October 25, NDLEA agents raided the Igbo-Igunuko shrine located at Alfa Beach, Ajah, seizing 2,760 kg of Ghanaian Loud cannabis and arresting two individuals, Gbenga Abiodun and Sunday Abiodun. On the same day, Ademola Oyelakin was arrested with 770 kg of the same substance on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway. NDLEA officers also recovered 11,786 pills of various drugs, including tramadol, molly, Rohypnol, and diazepam, from a concealed storage area in the bedroom of suspect Muhammad Warnos Abdullahi in Lekki Phase 1.
In Plateau State, Fadan Bindom, 39, was caught with 65.85 kg of cannabis and 18 grams of tramadol in Pilgani village, while Sunday Agbata, 42, was arrested in Jos South Local Government Area with over 5,800 tablets and ampoules of bromazepam, diazepam, and pentazocine on October 23. In Abuja, a significant distributor of illicit drugs, Umar Muhammed, 40, was apprehended on October 21 following the seizure of a 198.5 kg cannabis shipment linked to him.
Further enforcement actions were recorded in Edo State, where NDLEA agents seized 640 kg of cannabis hidden in 80 jumbo bags of fresh vegetables and arrested suspect Austin Oruamen, 27. Additionally, Adereti Kazeem, 35, was arrested in Ile-Ife with 133 kg of cannabis.
The NDLEA’s ongoing efforts to combat drug abuse include awareness campaigns in schools, places of worship, and community centers. Recent educational sessions were held at various institutions, including Government Girls Secondary School in Sokoto and Prime Rose Model Private College in Oyo State, among others.
Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, praised the efforts of his officers across MMIA, Tin-Can, Port Harcourt, and various commands nationwide. He highlighted the importance of their coordinated approach to both reducing drug supply and addressing drug demand.
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