Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted a series of illicit drug consignments hidden in winter jackets, body cream containers, and parcels at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, as well as through a Lagos-based courier firm, the agency said.
The seizures form part of ongoing nationwide operations aimed at dismantling drug trafficking networks and curbing the export and movement of controlled substances.
In a statement released on Sunday, the NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, disclosed that two consignments bound for Italy were intercepted at Lagos Airport, leading to the arrest of suspects connected to the shipments.
One of the arrests involved 37-year-old Friday Ehianuka, a resident of Milan, who was intercepted on Friday, March 20, 2026, while attempting to board an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Rome. Authorities recovered 2,698 pills of tramadol 225mg concealed in containers of skin-lightening body cream packed in his luggage. Ehianuka reportedly confessed that he was to receive payment in Euros upon successful delivery of the consignment to Italy.
In another operation on Wednesday, March 18, NDLEA officers stopped 38-year-old Christian Agbonhese, also a Milan resident, at the departure hall while he attempted to board a Lufthansa flight to Milan. A search of his luggage revealed a total of 28,470 opioid pills, including 23,150 tramadol 225mg tablets, 4,000 tapentadol 250mg tablets, and 1,320 tramadol 100mg pills, all concealed in two large winter jackets.
“The NDLEA remains committed to ensuring that such criminal networks are dismantled, and suspects are brought to justice,” Babafemi said.
The agency also intercepted two parcels containing cannabis, locally known as “Loud,” weighing 1kg, shipped from the United States, and 158 grams of methamphetamine hidden within carton walls, destined for New Zealand.
The crackdown extended beyond Lagos, with significant seizures and arrests reported across several states. In Kano State, operatives arrested Abdulkadir Mamuda, 35, with 102.5kg of skunk, while Uche Johnson Festus, 47, was caught with 95.5kg of the same substance at Naibawa Gabas. In Edo State, 97.5kg of skunk was recovered from Akeem Idde, 37, at his residence in Ojah, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area.
In the Federal Capital Territory, officers intercepted a commercial bus along the Gwagwalada Expressway on March 18, recovering 91,840 tramadol pills hidden in body compartments. The driver, Aminu Ali, 27, was arrested.
In Oyo State, Bankole Bari was apprehended on March 17 at Oke-Oyan, Ibarapa Local Government Area, with 71.2kg of skunk smuggled into Nigeria from Benin Republic via the Oyan River. Meanwhile, along the Kaduna-Zaria Highway in Kaduna, NDLEA operatives recovered 586,000 tramadol and Exol-5 pills from Lawal Anas, 28, and 7,290 tramadol 225mg tablets from Musa Shuaibu, 22, on March 20.
Taraba and Adamawa states also witnessed major seizures. In Taraba, Aliyu Adamu, 26, was intercepted along the Takum-Jalingo Highway with 77,660 capsules of tramadol. In Adamawa, six suspects were arrested in connection with the seizure of 82.8kg of tramadol in a truck in Yola. The arrested individuals include Ramatu Aliyu, Jungudo Abdullahi, Najid Abdullahi, Musa Mohammed, Usman Abdulrahim, and another Musa Mohammed.
The NDLEA’s operations are complemented by nationwide awareness campaigns on the dangers of drug abuse. Officers conducted sensitisation programs in schools, worship centres, and communities throughout the week, emphasising the social and legal consequences of drug trafficking and abuse.
Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, commended officers of the Lagos, Kano, Kaduna, Edo, Oyo, FCT, Taraba, and Adamawa commands for their dedication and professionalism. He urged them to maintain a balanced and consistent approach in their operations, combining enforcement with public education.
Tramadol and tapentadol, both opioids, have become widely abused in Nigeria, often obtained illegally and without prescription. Excessive use can lead to addiction, serious health complications, and, in some cases, death. Cannabis, including varieties like skunk and Loud, is also illegal for recreational use in Nigeria, and its trafficking attracts severe penalties.
The recent seizures demonstrate the creative methods used by traffickers, such as hiding drugs in winter jackets, cosmetic containers, and hidden compartments in vehicles. Authorities note that smugglers often target international flights to Europe and other regions, seeking to profit from high demand abroad.
Local communities have welcomed the NDLEA’s actions, highlighting the need for sustained vigilance at airports, highways, and courier services to prevent Nigeria from being used as a transit point for illicit drugs.
The agency’s spokesman emphasised that the arrests and seizures send a clear message to drug traffickers that law enforcement agencies in Nigeria are vigilant and prepared to tackle both domestic and international drug crimes.
“This operation underscores the determination of the NDLEA to fight drug abuse and trafficking across the nation,” Babafemi said. “We remain committed to securing our borders and protecting citizens from the dangers of illicit substances.”
Authorities continue to urge Nigerians to report suspicious activities related to drugs and to cooperate with security agencies in combating drug trafficking. Public support, combined with proactive enforcement, is seen as essential to reducing the prevalence of illegal drugs in the country.
With multiple seizures across states and consistent arrests of suspects, the NDLEA has reaffirmed its stance against drug trafficking, highlighting that the agency will continue its operations nationwide, including airports, highways, and courier services, to disrupt criminal networks and protect public health.
As NDLEA continues its enforcement and awareness campaigns, authorities stress that combating drug abuse requires a sustained, multi-pronged approach, combining strict enforcement, community education, and international cooperation to prevent Nigeria from becoming a hub for illicit drug transit and abuse.