The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a Lekki-based businessman and proprietor of Damillionz Takeout, Arokodare Damil Ebenezer, in connection with the shipment of 60 parcels of Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, from the United States of America (USA) to Nigeria.
A statement by the spokesman of the NDLEA, Mr Femi Babafemi, on Sunday said the 43-year-old businessman was arrested at Bay Lounge, Admiralty Way, Lekki, Lagos, where he conducts his illicit drug business. He was apprehended on 24th March 2025 while awaiting the delivery of his latest drug consignment. His arrest followed the seizure of his cargo, which arrived in Nigeria in seven large cartons at a logistics company in Lagos on 12th March, by NDLEA operatives from the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation.
After his arrest, he was taken to his residence in Lekki for a search, during which 94 grams of the same psychoactive substance, a cannabis crusher, and other drug paraphernalia were recovered, bringing the total weight of the drugs seized from him to 32.24 kilograms. In his statement, he claimed he had been involved in the illicit drug business since 2017.
An attempt by another businessman, Omoruyi Terry, to export 1,400 pills of tramadol (225mg) weighing 800 grams to Italy was also thwarted by NDLEA officers at Lagos International Airport. Omoruyi was intercepted at the screening point of Terminal 2 of the airport while en route to Italy via a Qatar Airways flight. Investigations revealed that the suspect is a frequent traveller to Italy and works as a logistics agent.
In Katsina, four suspects—Baraka Abubakar, Haruna Alitine, Muhammad Babangida, and Hamisu Lawal—were arrested on Friday during an intelligence-led raid at Godai village in Daura LGA. During the operation, 684 blocks of compressed skunk, a strain of cannabis weighing 423kg, and 86,000 pills of diazepam were recovered. The three male suspects were caught repackaging the diazepam tablets into other containers, while Baraka, the female suspect, was apprehended with large quantities of skunk in her house.
Not less than 13,198 kilograms of cannabis sativa were destroyed in forests across Edo State between 24th and 28th March by NDLEA operatives, who also evacuated 158kg of the same substance for potential prosecution. The forests, where at least four cannabis plantations were discovered and destroyed, include Uhen Forest in Ovia North East LGA, Sobe in Owan West LGA, and Amahor Forest in Igueben LGA.
In Niger State, NDLEA officers on patrol along Mokwa-Jebba Road on Friday intercepted a black Toyota Corolla with registration number SLM 137 SV and arrested the two occupants found in possession of 179 blocks of compressed skunk, with a total weight of 77.6kg, concealed in a false compartment of the vehicle. The two suspects were identified as Paul Christopher and Lucky Star Anumie. In another operation, 50kg of skunk was recovered on Saturday from the home of a suspect, Isa Iliya, who is currently at large, in Wawa village, Borgu Council Area of the state.
Meanwhile, 108.5kg of skunk was recovered from lock-up shops at Aria New Market in Enugu Metropolis, Enugu State, by NDLEA operatives on 25th March, while 25kg of the same substance was seized from a suspect, Abdulrazak Saka, at Kilako Area of Ilorin, Kwara State, on 24th March. Another suspect, Suli Saheed, was arrested with 2.5 kilograms of Ghanaian Loud and 515 grams of Colorado at Olomi Academy Area of Ibadan, Oyo State.
With the same vigour, commands and formations of the Agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation activities in schools, places of worship, workplaces, and communities over the past week.
Commending the officers and men of the various commands for their arrests and seizures, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig-Gen. Mohamed Marwa (Rtd), stated that their operational successes and their balanced approach to drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts were well appreciated. He extended Eid-el-Fitr greetings to them, their families, other stakeholders, and Nigerians at large, saying, “May the spirit of obedience and sacrifice that defines this special day guide and strengthen us as we remain steadfast in our pursuit of a drug-free society. May Allah continue to bless and guide us, and may our collective efforts bring us closer to a safer and healthier society for all.”
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