The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted illicit drugs worth more than N3.4 billion across eight Nigerian states and the Federal Capital Territory, arresting a suspected fake police officer and several drug traffickers during intelligence-led operations.
The agency recovered more than 1.3 million tramadol and other opioid pills, alongside approximately 6,000 kilograms of cannabis, in operations spanning Lagos, Edo, Niger, Delta, Ondo, Gombe, Imo and Abuja.
The operations also led to the arrest of suspects linked to drug trafficking, cannabis cultivation and the possession of firearms and ammunition.
One of the major operations involved the seizure of 1,200 parcels of Canadian Loud, a potent cannabis strain, weighing 603.75 kilograms. Authorities valued the consignment at N1.811 billion.
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NDLEA operatives arrested a suspected drug trafficker who allegedly impersonated a senior police officer to evade security checks while transporting illicit drugs across state borders.
The 49-year-old suspect, Innocent Ekpe, was arrested on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, along the Benin-Onitsha Expressway in Asaba, Delta State. Officers found 292.48 kilograms of skunk concealed inside his silver Toyota Sienna bus.
According to the agency, investigations established that Ekpe had allegedly used the identity of Godwin Emeka, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, and a forged identification card to avoid scrutiny at checkpoints.
NDLEA operatives also arrested his alleged accomplice, 39-year-old Nduka Joseph, during the operation.
In Edo State, officers acting on intelligence raided a location along Agbor Road in Benin City. They arrested 45-year-old Matthew Ossai, who allegedly used an automobile repair workshop to conceal illicit drugs.
The agency recovered 48 kilograms of Canadian Loud, 152 grams of methamphetamine and a metal box reportedly used to store the substances.
At the Tin-Can Island Port in Lagos, NDLEA operatives intercepted a 40-foot container shipped from Montreal, Canada, which arrived on September 12.
The agency said it placed the shipment under intensive monitoring following processed intelligence. On Wednesday, September 16, officers conducted a joint physical examination with the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies.
The inspection uncovered 1,200 parcels of Canadian Loud weighing 603.75 kilograms. Authorities said traffickers concealed the drugs inside 31 black jumbo bags loaded into two Toyota Sienna vehicles within the container.
The seizure highlights the role of port inspections and intelligence-sharing in efforts to prevent international drug trafficking through Nigeria.
Also in Niger State, NDLEA operatives arrested three young suspects during a patrol along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway at Chachi, Tafa Local Government Area, on Tuesday, September 15.
The suspects, Bashir Usman, 20, Abubakar Nuhu, 18, and Abdulrahman Abdulwahab, 18, were allegedly carrying two locally fabricated AK-47 rifles, a magazine, a locally made pistol with a magazine and nine rounds of 9mm ammunition.
They reportedly concealed the items in a black travel bag, which officers recovered during the operation.
Meanwhile, NDLEA officers arrested Aminu Isyaku, 23, and Jamilu Habibu, 25, along the Abaji-Abuja Highway on Friday, September 18.
The suspects were allegedly transporting more than 1.1 million assorted tramadol tablets and capsules, codeine syrup, methamphetamine and Exol tablets from Onitsha, Anambra State, to Mararaba, Nasarawa State.
In Lagos, NDLEA operatives arrested Onyeka Ofor at his residence in Aguda, Surulere, on Friday, September 18. Officers recovered 48,900 tablets of tramadol 225mg during the operation.
Furthermore, the agency intercepted seven cartons of cannabis sativa weighing 59 kilograms at a logistics company, where officers arrested a suspect identified as Luke Ugokwe.
In a separate Lagos operation, NDLEA officers arrested 43-year-old Ibrahim Hudu at Apongbo on Thursday, September 17. The agency said officers recovered 998.38 kilograms of nitrous oxide gas.
In Gombe State, officers recovered 154,480 tramadol capsules from two suspects arrested in separate operations.
The suspects, Sabi’u Umar, 27, and Hassana Muhammad, 19, were arrested at the Barunde area and Gombe Main Market, respectively, on Friday, September 18.
Meanwhil in Imo State, NDLEA operatives arrested 25-year-old Ifesinachi Godwin along the Owerri-Onitsha Road on the same day. Officers recovered 43.85 kilograms of skunk from the suspect.
The operation resulted in the arrest of four suspects: Blessing Effiong, Saviour Peter, David Friday Sunday and Ability Peter Sunday.
NDLEA officials said operatives destroyed 5,000 kilograms of skunk at the farm and recovered at least 48 kilograms of dry and fresh cannabis for prosecution purposes.
The destruction of cannabis farms forms part of the agency’s efforts to reduce domestic production and disrupt the supply of illicit drugs.
