Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a former councillor in Lagos State after recovering 40 kilograms of skunk from his residence in Ibeju-Lekki.
The suspect, Sheleru Olalekan, 45, who previously served as a councillor representing the Orimedu community in Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area, was arrested on March 2, 2026.
The agency disclosed the arrest in a statement released on Sunday by its spokesman, Femi Babafemi.
According to the agency, Olalekan was arrested at his residence in Ilado, a community in Ibeju-Lekki, following intelligence reports that linked him to illicit drug activities.
NDLEA operatives who searched the building reportedly discovered 40 kilograms of skunk hidden inside one of the rooms.
Skunk is a potent strain of cannabis that is commonly trafficked and abused in Nigeria and other parts of the world.
In the statement, the agency said the suspect admitted that the drugs and the property where they were found belonged to him.
Babafemi explained that Olalekan also confirmed during interrogation that he had previously served two terms as a councillor representing Orimedu community.
He currently works as a legislative aide in the local government area.
The NDLEA did not immediately disclose further details about how long the suspect had allegedly been involved in drug trafficking activities.
The arrest of a former public official in connection with illegal drugs has raised concerns among residents of the community.
Local government councillors in Nigeria are elected representatives who are expected to contribute to grassroots governance and community development.
In a separate operation in the Federal Capital Territory, NDLEA officers intercepted a businessman travelling with drugs hidden in baby diapers.
The suspect, identified as Emeka Hyginus Okwor, 32, was arrested on March 3 while travelling from Obollo-Afor in Enugu State to Zuba in Abuja.
During a search of his luggage, NDLEA operatives discovered 1,000 pills of tapentadol 250mg concealed inside baby diapers.
Tapentadol is a strong pain-relief drug that is sometimes abused because of its effect on the central nervous system.
The agency said the suspect confessed that he was transporting the drugs to Guduwa village in Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State.
According to the NDLEA, Okwor operates a provision store in the community where the drugs were to be delivered.
Authorities say drug traffickers increasingly use creative methods to conceal illegal substances while transporting them across state borders.
The agency also reported another arrest involving a foreign national.
NDLEA operatives on patrol along the Kabba–Obajana highway in Kogi State intercepted a commercial bus transporting a consignment of Colorado, a synthetic strain of cannabis.
The drugs, weighing about 1.55 kilograms, were hidden inside a carton used for packing a standing fan.
The suspect, identified as Mey Ali Muhamat, 36, is a Cameroonian who hails from Maroua in the Republic of Cameroon.
He was travelling in a commercial vehicle from Lagos and was expected to pass through Lokoja, Kano and Maiduguri on his way to Cameroon.
Synthetic cannabis, often referred to as Colorado, has become increasingly popular among drug users because of its strong effects.
However, health experts warn that it can be dangerous and may lead to severe health problems.
In another development, NDLEA operatives in Niger State intercepted a commercial bus carrying suspected explosive device components.
The bus was stopped along the Mokwa–Jebba road while travelling from Ibadan in Oyo State.
During the search, officers discovered a sack containing 500 pieces of improvised explosive device components.
A follow-up operation led to the arrest of the suspected recipient, identified as Osama Abdullahi, 21.
He was arrested in Pelegi community in Mashegu Local Government Area of Niger State.
Authorities say investigations are ongoing to determine the intended use of the materials.
In Adamawa State, NDLEA operatives made another significant discovery during a search operation in Yola.
Officers recovered 122,000 pills of tramadol and 700 grams of methamphetamine from a truck transporting local drinks.
The drugs were hidden in a false compartment created at the bottom of the truck.
The truck was reportedly carrying about 2,000 cartons of locally produced drinks at the time it was intercepted.
Tramadol is a painkiller that is widely abused in Nigeria, especially among young people.
Methamphetamine, commonly known as “meth,” is a highly addictive stimulant drug.
The NDLEA also reported several other arrests across the country during the same period.
In Kano State, officers arrested a 20-year-old suspect, Muhammed Ali, on March 3.
He was apprehended at Gadar Tamburawa with 11,283 pills of tramadol.
In Ogun State, NDLEA operatives conducted a raid in Ogere where two suspects were arrested with 46 kilograms of skunk.
The suspects were identified as Nazifi Mudansir and Kabiru Musa.
Meanwhile in Delta State, two suspects were arrested in Ogwashi-Uku on March 7.
The suspects, Joy Chukwuma, 25, and Eugene Felix, 22, were found with 18.63 kilograms of skunk.
Officers also recovered 10.8 litres of codeine-based cough syrup and 4,268 pills of tramadol and swinol from them.
Codeine-based syrups are often abused by drug users for their sedative effects.
The agency also carried out operations targeting cannabis farms in Edo State.
NDLEA operatives destroyed about 1,910.25 kilograms of skunk on two farms located in the Egbisi forest in Uhumwonde Local Government Area.
Two suspects, Eke London, 48, and Austin Isusi, 49, were arrested during the operation.
In another operation in Ikhin town in Owan East Local Government Area, officers arrested a suspect identified as Alaba Adeboye, 47.
He was allegedly found with 176.50 kilograms of skunk.
Beyond enforcement activities, the NDLEA said it continues to run public awareness programmes under its War Against Drug Abuse campaign.
The campaign focuses on educating young people and communities about the dangers of drug abuse.
According to the agency, sensitisation programmes were recently held in secondary schools across several states.
These include Oyo, Niger, Zamfara, Lagos, Sokoto, Ebonyi and Anambra states.
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Mohamed Buba Marwa, commended officers involved in the recent operations.
He praised personnel from the Lagos, Federal Capital Territory, Kano, Niger, Kogi, Edo, Ogun, Delta and Adamawa commands for their efforts.
Marwa encouraged them to remain committed to the agency’s strategy of combining enforcement with education and rehabilitation.
Security agencies say coordinated efforts involving law enforcement, community education and rehabilitation programs are necessary to address the problem effectively.
