LAGOS — Nigerian anti-narcotics agents have arrested a Lekki-based businessman, Arokodare Damil Ebenezer, and an Italy-based logistics agent, Omoruyi Terry, over alleged involvement in illicit drug shipments from the United States and Nigeria to Europe.
Ebenezer, 43, was taken into custody at Bay Lounge, Admiralty Way, Lekki, on March 24 while expecting a consignment of 60 parcels of Loud, a potent strain of cannabis. His arrest followed the March 12 seizure of seven large cartons containing the drugs at a Lagos logistics firm, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said Sunday.
“His home search yielded an additional 94 grams of the same substance, cannabis crushers, and drug paraphernalia, bringing the total weight of the seizure to 32.24 kilograms,” the NDLEA said in a statement.
Ebenezer allegedly admitted to running the illicit business since 2017.
Separately, NDLEA operatives at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) intercepted Omoruyi, a frequent traveler, with 1,400 pills of Tramadol 225mg concealed in his luggage. The suspect was en route to Italy via a Qatar Airways flight when he was stopped at Terminal 2.
Massive Drug Busts Across Nigeria
In a coordinated crackdown, NDLEA operatives raided a drug repackaging factory in Katsina State’s Godai village, Daura LGA, arresting four suspects. Authorities seized 684 blocks of compressed skunk (423kg) and 86,000 diazepam pills. Among those arrested was Baraka Abubakar, 40, who allegedly stored heaps of skunk in her house, while three men were caught repackaging diazepam.
In Edo, the agency destroyed 13,198 kilograms of cannabis sativa in four illegal plantations located in Uhen, Sobe, and Amahor forests. An additional 158kg of cannabis was evacuated for prosecution.
Meanwhile, in Niger State, two men were caught along the Mokwa-Jebba highway with 77.6kg of skunk concealed in a false bottom of their vehicle. A separate raid in Wawa village led to the recovery of 50kg of cannabis from the home of a suspect now on the run.
Additional seizures included:
Enugu: 108.5kg of skunk from lockup shops in Aria New Market
Kwara: 25kg of skunk from Kilako Area, Ilorin
Oyo: 2.5kg of Ghanaian Loud and 515g of Colorado from an Ibadan suspect
NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) praised officers for their continued success in drug supply reduction and demand reduction efforts.
“Their operational achievements, combined with awareness campaigns in schools, worship centers, and communities, are commendable,” Marwa said. “May the spirit of obedience and sacrifice guide us as we strive for a drug-free society.”
The agency also conducted anti-drug sensitization programs at schools across Lagos, Enugu, Ebonyi, and Adamawa states last week.
