NDLEA DISMANTLES MAJOR DRUG TRAFFICKING NETWORKS AS IMO, DELTA, ADAMAWA, EKITI, LAGOS, ABUJA, ONDO, KANO, NIGER, AND EDO RECORD SIGNIFICANT BREAKTHROUGH IN OPIOID INTERCEPTION.

By Prince Uwalaka Chimaroke
8- DEC- 2025

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has recorded a major operational success across several states, including Imo, Adamawa, Delta, Ekiti, Lagos, Ondo, Kano, Niger, Edo, Abuja.

The agency confirmed that more than 7.6 million tramadol pills and 76,273.4kg of cannabis variants, including Colorado, Loud, and Skunk, were seized in coordinated raids nationwide—an achievement that further strengthens the fight against drug trafficking.

In Imo State, NDLEA operatives made a major breakthrough when they intercepted a consignment of 1.2 million tablets of Tramadol 225mg on Wednesday, December 3, 2025. The suspect, 35-year-old Kelechi Nwakocha, was apprehended by officers on patrol at Orogwe, along the strategic Onitsha/Owerri Road. The illicit drugs, reportedly loaded in Aba, Abia State, were en route to Onitsha in Anambra before the timely interception prevented their circulation. This operation highlights the increasing vigilance of NDLEA operatives within Imo, especially along high-traffic transit corridors that drug trafficking syndicates often exploit.

A related raid in Delta State led to the discovery of a large drug warehouse at Oko Market in Asaba. Operatives recovered 3,874,000 pills of Tramadol 225mg and 100mg, alongside significant quantities of codeine syrup. The warehouse bust represents one of the largest single opioid seizures of the year and is believed to be linked to an inter-state trafficking network with operations stretching across the South-East and South-South regions.

In Adamawa, NDLEA officers intercepted 1,577,112 capsules of Tramadol and Exol-5 concealed inside jumbo bags disguised with rubber sandals. The officers made two arrests—Kabiru Buba (25) and Hamza Abubakar (32). Similarly, a separate operation along the Zaria/Kano axis led to the arrest of Mudansir Rabiu (27) with 197,000 pills of Exol-5.

Ekiti State witnessed massive destruction of cannabis farms and storage facilities, with operatives clearing over 68,954kg of skunk across forest locations in Omuo-Ekiti and Asin-Ekiti. Additional special raids in Ondo State recovered 5,442kg of compressed cannabis blocks, leading to the arrest of five suspects.

NDLEA operatives also intercepted 22kg of Colorado at Abaji Expressway, Abuja, where a follow-up arrest was made at Jabi Park. They recovered 24kg of skunk and 573,500 pills of Exol-5 along the Kwali/Gwagwalada Road.

In Lagos, officers seized 113kg of Canadian Loud at Ladipo Market, Mushin; 351kg of skunk at Onipanu; and 104.1kg of skunk at the Trade Fair Complex, Ojo.
A major seizure of 500kg of cannabis was made along Mokwa/Jebba Road in Niger State, while 447.5kg of skunk was recovered from Agho Forest in Edo State. Further raids in Edo uncovered 315.8kg of skunk in a warehouse at Isiefve community, leading to the arrest of a suspect connected to the illegal storage facility.

Amid the sweeping operations, NDLEA formations nationwide continued robust WADA (War Against Drug Abuse) sensitization programs in schools, workplaces, communities, and worship centers, reinforcing the importance of prevention alongside enforcement.

The Chairman and Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (Rtd.), commended the officers of the Imo Command and their counterparts in Delta, Adamawa, Ondo, Lagos, Niger, FCT, Edo, Kano and others. He praised their diligence and balanced strategy of reducing drug supply while promoting drug demand reduction.