Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) weekend dismantled a major drug trafficking syndicate following a series of intelligence-led operations spanning three weeks.
The crackdown led to the interception of cocaine consignments concealed in tins of palm kernel extract bound for the United Kingdom, as well as the arrest of the network’s kingpin and several accomplices.
This was contained in a statement Sunday by the director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, who said the operation began on March 11, 2026, when NDLEA officers at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, intercepted 3.10 kilograms of cocaine hidden inside palm kernel oil cans at the export shed. Two suspects, Idris Olayiwola Amoo and Akinlami Akinsoji Adedoyin, were arrested while handling the shipment.
A follow-up sting operation on April 2 led to the arrest of the sender, Ezemuwo Joel, who had been operating under a false identity. His capture ultimately exposed the syndicate’s leader, 52-year-old King Arinze, who was tracked to a hideout in Isolo, Lagos.
NDLEA operatives subsequently raided Arinze’s warehouse in the Bucknor area of Isolo, where they recovered 886 tins prepared for drug concealment, industrial sealing equipment, paint sprays, 52 grams of cannabis, and other materials used in the illicit operation. Arinze reportedly confessed to personally draining the palm kernel oil to hide cocaine inside the containers.
In a related operation in Borno state, NDLEA officers arrested 28-year-old Aisha Adamu along the Gamboru Ngala Road with 4.3 kilograms of “Colorado,” a potent synthetic cannabis strain. She is believed to be a supplier to bandit groups operating across the North-East and into Chad.
Meanwhile, in Lagos State, a pastor, Afolabi Hodonu of the Celestial Church of Christ, and his wife, Success Hodonu, were apprehended at the Gbaji checkpoint in Badagry. A search of their vehicle uncovered 11 kilograms of skunk concealed in hidden compartments. Their arrest followed an earlier operation at the same checkpoint where a suspected fake security agent was caught transporting 24.5 kilograms of skunk.
In Adamawa State, NDLEA officers intercepted a truck carrying 48,000 tramadol pills along Namtari Road in Yola South, leading to the arrest of the driver and the intended recipient.
Further operations recorded significant seizures across multiple states: In Osun state, a 60-year-old suspect was arrested with 15kg of skunk in Osogbo. In Ondo state, operatives raided a forest in Akure, recovering 351kg of skunk and seeds.
In Benue state, a suspect was arrested with 28,600 tramadol capsules in Aliade. In Edo state, a warehouse raid in Orhionmwon LGA led to the seizure of 1,378kg of skunk. In Oyo state, a notorious dealer known as “Iya Elle” was arrested in Ibadan, with 45.6kg of skunk recovered. She allegedly used her 11-year-old daughter to distribute drugs.
The NDLEA also sustained its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaigns nationwide, reaching schools in Oyo, Lagos, Kano, Anambra, and Zamfara states.
Commending officers across various commands, NDLEA Chairman/CEO, Mohamed Buba Marwa, praised their efforts in balancing drug supply reduction with demand reduction strategies.
