The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it has arrested several suspects and recovered illicit drugs in operations across multiple states.
NDLEA spokesman Femi Babafemi said a Brazil-based businessman, Abugu Ikechukwu, 41, was arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, after arriving from São Paulo via Addis Ababa on an Ethiopian Airlines flight.
According to the agency, officers recovered 6.10 kilograms of liquid cocaine concealed in 14 towels and shirts found in his luggage.
The suspect reportedly told investigators he had lived in Brazil for more than 14 years, where he operates an African restaurant, and had travelled to Nigeria to visit family and purchase food supplies for his business.
In Abia State, a 60-year-old woman, Chidimma Sunday, was arrested and handed over to the NDLEA by a local vigilante group. In Rivers State, operatives arrested Abubakar Usman, 28, during a raid in Rumuokoro, Port Harcourt.
In Delta, officers arrested Onya Jude, 36, at Ogwashi-Uku, where substances suspected to be cannabis were allegedly concealed inside gas cylinders.
The agency also announced the arrest of Jamilu Idris and Aminu Abdullahi in Gombe State, while Ngozi Gaius was apprehended in Kano with suspected tramadol tablets.
In Kwara State, Nasiru Hamza and Muhammad Sani were intercepted with a large consignment of suspected cannabis.
NDLEA further disclosed that operatives raided a warehouse in Taraba State and recovered a substantial quantity of substances suspected to be cannabis following intelligence reports on the activities of a suspected drug dealer.
In Abuja, Emmanuel Nnadi was arrested during a patrol along the Gwagwalada Expressway, while officers also seized a large quantity of the cannabis strain known as “Ghana Loud” around the Alaba International Market area of Lagos.
Beyond enforcement operations, the agency said it continued public sensitisation campaigns under its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative in schools and communities across several states.
NDLEA Chairman, Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), commended officers involved in the operations and urged commands nationwide to sustain efforts against drug trafficking and abuse.
