The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a convicted drug trafficker, Nwobodo Chidiebere Basil, along with three others in connection with the attempted export of 1.5 kilograms of cocaine concealed in factory-sealed sachets of cold-water starch to the United Kingdom. The seizure occurred at the export shed of Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos.
In a statement released on Sunday by Femi Babafemi, Director of Media & Advocacy at NDLEA, three cargo agents—Jubrin Firdausi Hassana, Kuku Daniel Oluwasegun, and Igwe Chioma Jane—were initially arrested on Saturday, Dec. 20. Investigations later identified 37-year-old Nwobodo as the mastermind. He was apprehended on Sunday, Dec. 21, at a popular Ikeja relaxation center where he had gone on a date with his girlfriend.
Nwobodo, previously convicted in May 2023 for dealing in 30.10 kilograms of methamphetamine hidden in powdered custard containers, had served a sentence with an option to pay a fine of seven million naira (₦7,000,000). After settling the fine, he returned to trafficking, authorities said.
In a separate operation, NDLEA officers set ablaze tons of cannabis (skunk) at Ara Forest, Ara-Ekiti, where 638 kilograms were recovered. Additionally, 883.1 kilograms of compressed cannabis were intercepted from three vehicles along Igara-Auchi Road, Edo State.
In Cross River State, three men—Freedom Jonah Akpama, 27; David Itam David, 30; and Nelson Arikpo Osam, 26—were arrested in Agoi-Ibami, Yakurr LGA, with 908 kilograms of skunk collectively. Another suspect, Joy Oisamaye, 42, was nabbed on the Abaji-Abuja Expressway with 38 kilograms of the same substance.
Lagos operations also led to the arrests of Ajoke Dauda with 45.5 kilograms of skunk at Agbara on Dec. 25 and Oluwasegun Felix with 18.5 kilograms at Itoga the previous day. In Taraba State, Emmanuel Danladi, 39, and John Onoja, 41, were apprehended with 48 kilograms.
In Gombe State, a 65-year-old driver, Sada’u Mohammed, was arrested while transporting 300 ampoules of pentazocine injection and 27,900 tramadol pills along Gombe-Biu highway.
Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives also apprehended 47-year-old businessman Ignatius Egbochie, alias “Brown,” wanted over a 26-kilogram seizure of Loud cannabis at Lagos’ Tincan Port on Dec. 10. He was arrested on Dec. 19 in Apapa.
NDLEA Chairman/CEO Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) commended officers nationwide for the arrests and seizures, urging vigilance during the festive season and adherence to the highest professional standards in drug enforcement.
The Agency continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization campaigns last week, conducting lectures and awareness programs in schools, worship centers, and communities across the country.
