The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intensified its nationwide crackdown on illicit drug trafficking, leading to the interception of large quantities of opioids and other prohibited substances concealed in building materials in Taraba State, while several suspects, including a 75-year-old man and a number of female drug dealers, were arrested in separate operations across the country.
According to the agency, one of the most significant seizures occurred in Taraba State on Saturday, June 6, 2026, following intelligence reports that prompted operatives to intercept a truck transporting building materials from Onitsha in Anambra State to Jalingo, the Taraba State capital. The vehicle was stopped and thoroughly searched at the Nukkai Timber Shade area of Jalingo, where officers uncovered a substantial cache of illicit drugs hidden beneath the cargo.
A 22-year-old suspect identified as Buhari Abdullahi was arrested in connection with the consignment. Items recovered from the truck included 320,840 capsules of tramadol, 600 ampoules of pentazocine injection, 4,500 tablets of rohypnol, and 299 bottles of codeine-based cough syrup. The seizure represents one of the major successes recorded by the agency in its ongoing efforts to curb the circulation of dangerous opioids and controlled substances across Nigeria.
In Ebonyi State, NDLEA operatives demonstrated that age does not exempt anyone from the reach of the law when they arrested a 75-year-old man, Okebe Samuel, in Okposi community. Investigations revealed that the elderly suspect was allegedly involved in the retail distribution of cannabis, commonly known as skunk, to young people within the area. Officers recovered about 300 grams of the substance from him during the operation.
Similarly, in Imo State, operatives raided a known drug distribution centre in Umulolo, Orlu Local Government Area, where they apprehended a suspected female drug dealer, Chioma Okeke, aged 32. During the raid, officers recovered approximately eight kilograms of skunk believed to have been prepared for sale.
In Edo State, NDLEA officers carried out a coordinated operation targeting notorious drug hotspots across Benin City on June 2, 2026. The exercise resulted in the arrest of four suspected traffickers, including three women, and the recovery of various illicit substances.
At Uyosa in Benin City, operatives arrested two female suspects, Chioma Igba, 24, and Precious Ozomah, 22, after recovering different quantities of prohibited drugs from them. The substances seized included 176 grams of skunk, 65 grams of Loud, and five grams of methamphetamine.
Another female suspect, Anita Abraham, aged 21, was arrested along Agbor Road in Benin City. She was reportedly found in possession of 95 grams of Scottish Loud and 329 grams of regular Loud. In a separate operation at Upper Mission area of the city, officers apprehended a 43-year-old suspect, Henry Okey, who was allegedly caught with a variety of psychotropic substances, including Loud, Colorado, Swinol, and methamphetamine.
The agency also recorded a major arrest in Kano State, where operatives on June 4 apprehended a 19-year-old suspect, Saifullahi Lawan, in the Kafi area of Madobi. The suspect was allegedly found transporting 40 blocks of skunk with a combined weight of 38 kilograms.
Meanwhile, in Gombe State, NDLEA officers intercepted 28-year-old Ugwu Sabastine Ifebuchi near Dantiti Plaza in the Tumfure area on June 1. He was arrested after officers discovered 15,000 capsules of tramadol in his possession.
Beyond enforcement operations, the agency said its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy campaign continued across various parts of the country. During the week under review, awareness and sensitisation programmes were conducted in several schools, including Holiness Foundation Primary School in Saki, Oyo State; Dorras High School in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos State; Ado Girls Secondary School in Onitsha, Anambra State; and Army Day Secondary School in Kano State.
Reacting to the series of successful operations, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Mohamed Buba Marwa, commended officers and personnel of the Taraba, Ebonyi, Imo, Edo, Kano and Gombe State commands for their dedication, vigilance and commitment to duty.
He also praised operatives across the country for sustaining efforts aimed at reducing both the supply and demand for illicit drugs. Marwa reiterated the agency’s determination to dismantle drug trafficking networks nationwide, stressing that traffickers would continue to be pursued and prosecuted regardless of their age, gender, status or methods of concealing illegal substances.
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