In a sweeping operation that has stunned the nation, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) began the year 2025 with multiple high-profile arrests linked to drug trafficking and abuse. These arrests included a notorious Lagos socialite, a popular Nollywood filmmaker, and even students engaged in producing drug-laced cakes. The raids spanned across multiple states including Lagos, Kwara, Kano, Rivers, and Port Harcourt, signaling the NDLEA’s determined push to curb Nigeria’s growing drug epidemic.
On January 1st, 2025, NDLEA operatives nabbed 61-year-old Alhaja Aishat Feyisara Ajoke Elediye, better known in the criminal world as “Iya Ruka.” Elediye, a well-known businesswoman in Lagos, appeared to lead a double life. While she was a respected fabric and shoe importer and held the title of Iyalaje of the Blessing Sisters society club, her true operations centered on running a dangerous drug cartel from the Mushin area of Lagos.
According to NDLEA officials, their investigation led them to intercept a truckload of drugs that had been sent out by Elediye’s associates. On that fateful day, a white Isuzu truck loaded with 44 jumbo sacks containing over 1,500 kilograms of imported cannabis was seized. The truck had been driven by one of her employees, 41-year-old Abideen Adio, who was arrested on the spot. Following this interception, the NDLEA stormed her hideout in the Okota area of Lagos, where they took Elediye into custody.
“This operation marks the fall of a major figure in the Lagos drug network. For years, Alhaja Ajoke eluded our officers, but we were able to close in on her through intelligence gathering and swift action,” said Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa, the Chairman of the NDLEA. “The significant quantity of drugs recovered today highlights the scale of her operations.”
Not far behind in this crackdown, on December 27th, 2024, the NDLEA struck in Lekki, Lagos, with the arrest of Nollywood filmmaker and motivational speaker, Emeka Emmanuel Mbadiwe. Mbadiwe, trained in the United States and active in both Nollywood and Hollywood film circuits, was arrested after a major drug shipment was intercepted. His partner, Uzoekwe Ugochukwu James, had already been arrested earlier that day when he tried to collect 33 parcels of the potent cannabis strain, known as “Loud,” weighing over 17 kilograms. The shipment, which arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) on December 24th, had been concealed in large wooden boxes to evade detection.
Mbadiwe, once admired for his work in film and motivational speaking, now faces serious drug trafficking charges. “The discovery of this shipment and the arrest of Mbadiwe, once a public figure, is a testament to our commitment to ridding the industry and society of harmful elements,” stated NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi.
But the nation’s drug battle did not end with these two high-profile arrests. In Kwara State, NDLEA operatives moved swiftly to apprehend two young women, Khadijat Abdulraheem, 24, and Ayomide Morakinyo, 20, after a tip-off. The duo was allegedly involved in the production of drug-laced cupcakes, which they sold to students in the University of Ilorin community. A search of their apartment led to the recovery of 42 drug-infused cakes, which had been prepared for sale.
Meanwhile, in Kano, NDLEA agents arrested Ismail Muhammad, a 45-year-old local dealer, after raiding his home in the Mafarki area of Dala Local Government. A total of 149,090 pills of tramadol and Exol-5, drugs often misused as performance enhancers, were recovered during the raid.
Notably, these arrests were not the only successes of the NDLEA during the final days of 2024. On December 31st, officers at the Port Harcourt Ports Complex seized a massive shipment of 316,800 bottles of codeine-based syrup. The drugs, concealed in two containers, were intercepted during a joint examination with the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies. Codeine-based syrup is a highly addictive substance, often abused in Nigeria, and the successful seizure was seen as a major blow to illegal trade in the region.
On the same day, NDLEA agents in Lagos dismantled an international passport racket involving several syndicates. Led by ex-convict Sodade Sunday Eniola, the group had been smuggling passports through various routes, including hidden inside shoe soles and food packages. The NDLEA intercepted over 50 passports destined for countries such as Canada and Russia. This latest bust was the culmination of months of undercover work, and it highlighted the interconnectedness of drug trafficking with other illegal activities.
In a statement, NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Marwa praised the tireless efforts of the agency’s officers in executing these arrests and seizures. “The success of these operations is a result of our commitment to the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA), which involves a comprehensive approach to both drug supply reduction and public awareness,” Marwa said.
In addition to the arrests and drug seizures, the NDLEA continued its sensitization campaigns across Nigeria. Through its WADA initiative, the agency conducted lectures and community outreach programs in markets, mosques, and schools to raise awareness of the dangers of drug abuse. These efforts are critical to curbing demand while authorities tackle the supply side of the drug trade.
