The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intensified its crackdown on drug trafficking across Nigeria, arresting multiple suspects, including a 75-year-old man, and destroying a 71.5-hectare cannabis farm in Taraba State.
According to a statement by NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi, the nationwide operations, conducted between August 25–30, 2025, led to major seizures of cannabis, tramadol, opioids, and other illicit substances hidden in vehicles, farms, and even household appliances.
Major Highlights of the Operations:
- Anambra State:
A 75-year-old man, Uchelue Ikechukwu, was arrested with 26.7kg of cannabis (skunk) in Umudioka, Dunukofia LGA. Six other suspects were nabbed in Nkwelle and Amichi for dealing in cannabis and opioids. - Taraba State:
A 71.5-hectare cannabis farm, estimated to yield 178,750kg of cannabis, was destroyed in Mayodoga forest, Sardauna LGA. The farm owner, 30-year-old Alfa Andrew, was arrested with a Dane gun during the raid supported by the Nigerian Army and local security groups. - Kaduna State:
At the Abuja-Kaduna tollgate, NDLEA intercepted 104,900 capsules of tramadol hidden inside a fuel tanker allegedly destined for insurgents in Borno. The driver, Hassan Buba, was arrested. - Borno State:
A major supplier, 33-year-old Uchenna Umeh, was arrested in Maiduguri with 30,640 pills of tramadol, 7,940 rohypnol tablets, and ₦7.9m in cash suspected to be drug proceeds. - Other States (Nasarawa, Gombe, Kano, Adamawa, Edo, Lagos, Ondo, Ekiti):
Multiple suspects were arrested, with over 500,000 pills of opioids recovered. Drugs were concealed in sacks of animal feed, refrigerators, commercial buses, and even private homes.
In Ekiti State, NDLEA described the raid in Ado-Ekiti as the largest single seizure of Loud, Colorado, and methamphetamine in the state’s history, leading to the arrest of a suspected kingpin, Ajayi Ayodeji Idowu, alias Atiku.
The NDLEA reiterated its commitment to intensifying the war against drugs under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, urging citizens to support the agency’s mission to protect communities from the dangers of illicit drugs.
