The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 59-year-old businessman, Ezeokoli Sylva, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, for smuggling 700 grams of cocaine hidden in his stomach. The arrest occurred on November 29, 2024, as Sylva returned to Nigeria from São Paulo, Brazil, after 35 years. He was intercepted upon arrival on an Ethiopian Airlines flight through Addis Ababa. A body scan confirmed he had ingested 29 wraps of cocaine. In his statement, the suspect admitted he intended to sell the drugs in Nigeria to raise capital for his African store business in Brazil.
NDLEA operatives also intercepted drug consignments at a Lagos courier company on November 26, 2024. The seizures included 200 grams of cocaine hidden in local fabrics and 40 ampoules of pentazocine injections concealed in cartons.
In Kano, three suspects, Jamilu Adamu, Umar Musa, and Bunu Ali, were arrested with 2,000 ampoules of pentazocine injections and over 3.1 million Exol-5 pills. This significant haul highlights the rising abuse of pharmaceutical opioids.
A separate operation in Lagos saw NDLEA officers seize 2,120 kilograms of Ghanaian Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, at the Ilesan Beach waterfront. One suspect, Onibogi Muftau, was arrested, and four vehicles meant to transport the drugs were recovered. Days earlier, 472 kilograms of the same substance had been intercepted in Ogun State’s Idi-Iroko area.
In Edo State, a raid on Ukuwague Street, Benin City, led to the arrest of two suspects, Monday Onyenemue and Evans Omogiede. During the operation, 185.6 kilograms of cannabis and a Toyota Previa bus were seized.
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Beyond enforcement, the NDLEA continues to expand its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative, engaging schools, markets, and communities nationwide to raise awareness about the dangers of drug abuse. Educational sessions were held in institutions like Government Girls Secondary School in Kano, Government Day Secondary School in Adamawa, and Girls High School in Enugu. Traders at the 8 Miles Market in Calabar were also sensitized about the dangers of illicit drugs.
NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended the agency’s officers for their unrelenting efforts in drug supply reduction and demand reduction. He emphasized the agency’s balanced approach in tackling the drug menace while prioritizing public safety and health. The agency remains steadfast in its fight against drug abuse and trafficking across Nigeria.
