The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has intercepted more than 1.3 million tablets and capsules of tramadol and other opioids, alongside about 6,000kg of cannabis, in intelligence-led operations across several states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The agency said the seizures have a combined street value of over N3.4bn. It also arrested several suspects, including a man allegedly impersonating a senior police officer and a mechanic whose workshop was allegedly being used to store illicit drugs.
One of the major seizures occurred at the Tin-Can Island Port in Lagos, where NDLEA operatives intercepted 1,200 parcels of Canadian Loud weighing 603.75kg, with an estimated street value of N1.81bn.
According to the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the shipment arrived from Montreal, Canada, on 12 September 2026, and was placed under surveillance following intelligence received by the NDLEA.
A joint physical examination with the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies on 16 September led to the discovery of the cannabis concealed inside 31 black jumbo bags loaded into two Toyota Sienna vehicles within a 40-foot container.
Man allegedly posed as police officer
In Delta State, NDLEA operatives arrested 49-year-old Innocent Ekpe along the Benin-Onitsha Expressway in Asaba.
The agency said Mr Ekpe was allegedly transporting 292.48kg of skunk in a silver Toyota Sienna bus and had been impersonating a Deputy Superintendent of Police.
According to the NDLEA, he allegedly used a forged police identification card and the name Godwin Emeka to evade security checks at checkpoints. A 39-year-old alleged accomplice, Nduka Joseph, was also arrested.
Mechanic allegedly used workshop as drug hideout
In Edo State, operatives acting on intelligence raided an auto-repair workshop on Agbor Road, Benin City.
The NDLEA arrested 45-year-old Matthew Ossai and recovered 48kg of Canadian Loud and 152 grammes of methamphetamine from the premises.
The agency alleged that the mechanic’s workshop was being used as a cover for storing illicit drugs.
Over one million tramadol tablets intercepted
Along the Abaji-Abuja Highway, NDLEA operatives arrested Aminu Isyaku, 23, and Jamilu Habibu, 25, and recovered more than 1.1 million assorted tramadol tablets and capsules, alongside codeine syrup, methamphetamine and Exol tablets.
The agency said the drugs were concealed in eight sacks and were being transported from Onitsha, Anambra State, to Mararaba, Nasarawa State.
In Lagos, 48,900 pills of tramadol 225mg were recovered from Onyeka Ofor, who was arrested at his residence in Aguda, Surulere.
Another suspect, Luke Ugokwe, was arrested after seven cartons of cannabis weighing 59kg were intercepted at a logistics company. NDLEA operatives also arrested 43-year-old Ibrahim Hudu at Apongbo, where 998.38kg of nitrous oxide gas was recovered.
Other arrests and seizures
In Gombe State, 154,480 capsules of tramadol were recovered from 27-year-old Sabi’u Umar and 19-year-old Hassana Muhammad, who were arrested at Barunde and Gombe Main Market respectively.
In Imo State, NDLEA operatives arrested 25-year-old Ifesinachi Godwin along the Owerri-Onitsha Road with 43.85kg of skunk.
In Ondo State, four suspects — Blessing Effiong, Saviour Peter, David Friday Sunday and Ability Peter Sunday — were arrested during a raid on a cannabis farm in Ita-Ogbolu Forest.
The agency said about 5,000kg of cannabis was destroyed at the two-hectare farm, while another 48kg of dry and fresh cannabis was recovered for prosecution.
The NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), commended officers involved in the operations and urged them to sustain intelligence-driven efforts against illicit drug trafficking.
Mr Marwa also called for continued implementation of what he described as a balanced approach to drug control across the country.
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