NDLEA Cracks Down on Drug Trafficking: Arrests, Seizures, and Cannabis Farm Destruction Across Nigeria

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intensified its efforts against illegal drug activities, recently apprehending a 75-year-old man, Uchelue Ikechukwu, for involvement in narcotics trafficking. This arrest is part of a broader crackdown that saw multiple suspects detained and large-scale cannabis farms eradicated in various Nigerian states.

Major Arrests and Drug Busts in Anambra and Taraba States

According to NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi, Uchelue Ikechukwu was caught in Umudioka, Dunukofia Local Government Area of Anambra State on August 28, 2025, with 26.7 kilograms of ndlea-raids-taraba-cannabis-farm-destroys-178750kg/” title=”… Strikes Big: Destroys Massive 178,750kg Cannabis Farm Spanning 71.5 Hectares in Taraba”>skunk cannabis. Alongside him, six other individuals-Eneh Makuo, Emmanuel Chiemeli, Uwakwe Matthew, Chukwujekwu Ehirim, Ifeanyichukwu Olisa, and Odoh Chukwuma-were arrested in Nkwelle and Amichi areas for possession of various opioids and skunk.

In Taraba State, a significant operation led to the destruction of a sprawling 71.5-hectare cannabis plantation in Mayodoga Forest, Sardauna Local Government Area. The farm, owned by one Alfa Andrew, yielded approximately 178,750 kilograms of skunk cannabis. Andrew was apprehended on August 26, 2025, during a joint raid involving NDLEA, Nigerian Army, Nigeria Forest Security Service, Mambila Youth Vanguard, and local vigilantes. Authorities also confiscated a Dane gun from him during the operation.

Widespread Drug Interdictions Across Northern and Southern Nigeria

NDLEA’s recent operations have intercepted large quantities of illicit drugs concealed in various ingenious ways. On August 29, 2025, operatives seized 104,900 tramadol capsules hidden within the driver’s compartment of a fuel tanker at the Abuja/Kaduna tollgate, suspected to be destined for insurgent groups in Borno State. The driver, Hassan Buba, was immediately detained.

Further seizures include 34.15 kilograms of skunk cannabis from Kabir Sulaiman at the Gwargwaje-Zaria checkpoint on August 30, and the arrest of Uchenna Umeh, a major opioid supplier in Borno State, who was found with 30,640 tramadol pills, 7,940 rohypnol tablets, and nearly eight million naira in cash at his Maiduguri residence.

Additional Arrests and Drug Confiscations

• In Nasarawa State, Abubakar Dauda was caught with 79,040 tramadol and diazepam pills at Mararaba Karu on August 28.
• Babangida Tungura was arrested in Lafia with 30,410 tramadol and rohypnol tablets plus 38 bottles of codeine-based cough syrup concealed in a freezer, traced back to Asaba, Delta State.
• Mohammed Ali, 23, was detained in Adamawa State after 15,000 tramadol capsules were found hidden in animal feed sacks at Gombe Mega Park.
• In Kano, multiple suspects including Ashiru Garba and Aminu Abdu were arrested with skunk cannabis and 25,000 exol-5 tablets, while others were found with thousands of bottles of new psychoactive substances.
• Alhasaan Musa was apprehended in Kano with 250,000 exol-5 tablets, marking one of the largest seizures of this drug in the region.

Innovative Concealment and Regional Impact

NDLEA’s patrols have uncovered creative smuggling methods, such as sacks of pepper used to hide 58 kilograms of skunk cannabis in Adamawa State. Hamisu Abdullahi was arrested following this discovery. In Edo State, 64,250 tramadol pills were seized from a commercial bus traveling from Onitsha to Okene, with Mohammed Halidu detained in connection.

In Ondo State, a raid at Queen Elizabeth, Aponmun Reserved Camp led to the recovery of 117.5 kilograms of processed cannabis and seeds from suspects Elves Odogwu and David Jeremiah. Meanwhile, in Lagos, NDLEA officers confiscated 164 kilograms of skunk cannabis from Michael Ayodele in Mushin.

Record-Breaking Cannabis Seizure in Ekiti State

One of the most significant recent seizures occurred in Ekiti State, where NDLEA operatives, acting on credible intelligence, raided a location behind New Creation School in Ado-Ekiti. They confiscated 5.3 kilograms of Loud and Colorado-two potent cannabis strains-alongside 2.5 grams of methamphetamine from 42-year-old Ajayi Ayodeji Idowu, also known as Atiku. This operation is considered one of the largest single seizures of these cannabis varieties in the state.

Conclusion: NDLEA’s Ongoing Commitment to Combating Drug Trafficking

The NDLEA’s recent string of arrests and seizures highlights the agency’s relentless pursuit of drug traffickers and cultivators across Nigeria. By dismantling large-scale cannabis farms and intercepting vast quantities of opioids and synthetic drugs, the agency is making significant strides in curbing the proliferation of illicit substances that fuel crime and insurgency. These efforts are crucial in safeguarding public health and national security.