The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has recorded major breakthroughs in its fight against drug trafficking, intercepting a dangerous consignment of Captagon in Kwara State and arresting several suspects across the country in a series of coordinated operations.
The agency disclosed that the seized substance, known as Captagon, is a powerful and highly addictive stimulant often linked to criminal groups and insurgent networks, especially in the Middle East. Authorities say the drug can keep users awake for long periods, reduce fear, and create a sense of euphoria, making it attractive to those involved in violent activities.
Details of the operations were contained in a statement issued on Sunday by the NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi. He explained that the interception in Kwara followed earlier intelligence gathered from a separate drug bust at the Apapa seaport in Lagos.
According to the statement, NDLEA operatives on patrol along Bode Saadu Road on April 21, 2026, intercepted a trailer conveying passengers. One of the passengers, identified as 33-year-old Nasiru Mu’azu, was found to be in possession of illegal drugs.
A search carried out by the officers led to the discovery of 10 packs of Captagon, containing about 10,000 pills. In addition, nine packets of Tapentadol 250mg, another controlled substance, were recovered from the suspect.
Officials described the seizure as significant, noting that Captagon is not commonly found in Nigeria but is increasingly being trafficked through West Africa as criminal networks expand their operations.
Just three days later, on April 24, NDLEA operatives at the same patrol point intercepted another trailer carrying a much larger quantity of drugs hidden in a false compartment. A 24-year-old suspect, Aminu Isah, was arrested in connection with the discovery.
The concealed drugs included 155,900 capsules of tramadol, 6,000 ampoules of tramadol injection, 3,000 tablets of co-codamol, and 9,000 tablets of bromazepam. These substances are classified as pharmaceutical opioids and are often abused for their psychoactive effects.
The agency said the method used in hiding the drugs shows the level of sophistication now being employed by traffickers, who continue to explore new ways to evade law enforcement.
In a separate operation in Oyo State, NDLEA officers intercepted a commercial bus along the Ibadan/Oyo Expressway on April 21. During routine checks, a passenger, 33-year-old Eze Prince Emeka, raised suspicion and was subjected to a body scan.
The scan confirmed that he had ingested illicit drugs. Under close monitoring, the suspect later excreted 45 pellets of cocaine over three sessions. The total weight of the drugs was put at 1.043 kilograms.
Investigations revealed that the suspect intended to transport the cocaine to Europe through trans-Saharan routes. His plan reportedly involved moving the drugs through northern Nigeria to Sokoto, then through Algeria before reaching European markets.
Drug trafficking through such routes has been a growing concern for authorities, as traffickers increasingly use land corridors to avoid stricter checks at airports and seaports.
In Edo State, NDLEA operatives also made a major interception on April 25 along the Benin/Lagos Expressway. A truck carrying a large quantity of pharmaceutical opioids was stopped, leading to the recovery of 1,196,000 pills.
Two suspects, Osagie Igbinibo, 43, and Omijie Malik, 44, were arrested in connection with the consignment, which was reportedly heading to Onitsha in Anambra State. Officials believe the drugs were meant for distribution across different parts of the country.
Other operations carried out across Nigeria also led to several arrests and seizures. In Lagos, a 40-year-old suspect, Rasheed Ibuowo, was apprehended with 810 kilograms of cannabis. In Bauchi State, NDLEA operatives arrested 35-year-old Muktar Bello with 288 blocks of skunk weighing 154.5 kilograms.
Similarly, in Ekiti State, officers recovered 466.8 kilograms of skunk from a residential building, while in Cross River State, they destroyed about 20,000 kilograms of cannabis cultivated on farmland.
In another development in Niger State, NDLEA operatives seized 394 components suspected to be used in the production of improvised explosive devices (IEDs). A suspect, Mohammed Aliyu, 26, was arrested and later handed over to relevant security agencies for further investigation.
The Chairman of the NDLEA, Mohamed Buba Marwa, praised officers involved in the operations for their commitment and professionalism. He described the interception of Captagon as a major breakthrough in the agency’s efforts to disrupt drug trafficking networks.
Marwa warned that Captagon remains a major concern due to its links to violence and insecurity in other parts of the world. He said the agency would continue to monitor and block attempts to introduce the drug into Nigeria.
The NDLEA has, in recent years, stepped up its operations across the country, focusing on both supply reduction and public awareness. The agency has also called on citizens to support its efforts by providing useful information that can help track down traffickers.
With these latest arrests and seizures, authorities say they are sending a strong message to drug traffickers that Nigeria is not a safe route or destination for illegal drugs.