Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested Levi Chidiebele Ubodoeze, an automobile spare parts dealer, for attempting to export two kilograms of cocaine concealed in vehicle propellers to Angola. His arrest follows a three-week manhunt after the illicit consignment was intercepted at a logistics company in Aspanda, Trade Fair Complex, Lagos, on February 21, 2025. Angolan authorities, alerted by NDLEA, apprehended the intended recipient, leading to the identification of the sender. Ubodoeze was tracked to his residence in Ago Palace Way, Isolo, Lagos, on March 6, where he was caught attempting to flee in a KIA SUV. A search of the vehicle uncovered 75.50kg of phenacetin, a cocaine-cutting agent, disguised as semolina. A digital scale for drug weighing was also recovered from his residence. During interrogation, Ubodoeze confessed to dealing in cocaine while operating his auto spare parts business in Ladipo Market, Mushin, Lagos. He admitted he attempted to flee after learning about his contact’s arrest in Angola.

In a separate operation, NDLEA operatives at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, intercepted a shipment of cannabis-infused candies imported from the United Kingdom, intended for a children's store at 46 Ogunlana Drive, Surulere, Lagos. The consignment, which arrived on February 27 as part of a consolidated cargo via Allied Airways, tested positive for a potent strain of cannabis. Investigations led to the arrest of Adedamola Taylor on March 4. Taylor claimed the package was sent by his UK-based brother, Babatunde Alabi, for delivery to Musurat Lawal, the store operator. A follow-up operation resulted in Musurat’s arrest.

In Lagos, two suspects, China Michael and Igbo Ekene, were arrested on March 7 at Shibiri, Ojo, with 128kg of Ghanaian Loud (a cannabis strain) hidden in a truck’s underbelly. Similarly, at Mosalasi Junction, Mushin, three suspects—Osinachi Nwachukwu, Tochukwu Okafor Christian, and John Ugochukwu Mbakwe—were caught with 301,600 tramadol pills and other opioids. In Kano, 65-year-old Yahaya Haruna was caught with 19.2kg of skunk along Gadar Tamburawa Road on March 6, while 60-year-old Musa Bello, also known as Jajere, was arrested with 212 bottles of codeine syrup at Medile, Kumbotso LGA.

In Abia, a raid on March 4 uncovered 442,594 tramadol pills and 1,274 bottles of codeine syrup at a suspect’s warehouse in Aba. In Benue, 50,000 tramadol and Exol-5 pills were seized from two suspects, Nwaeze Onyeabor, 47, and Tombo Thomas, 23, on March 5 at Ugbema Junction, Katsina-Ala. In Osun, 162kg of skunk was seized from Asimiyu Muibi, 50, in Modakeke, Ife East LGA, while another 95kg was recovered from a Toyota Camry in Ede on March 4. In Edo, Etim Esien Stephen, 55, was arrested on March 5 during a raid in Amahor community forest, Igueben LGA, where 9,514.625kg of skunk was destroyed on a 3.8-hectare cannabis farm.

Meanwhile, NDLEA continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization programs in schools, workplaces, and communities nationwide, reaching institutions such as Model High School, Amaechi, Enugu; Bengy Secondary School, Agege, Lagos; Sunshine Secondary School, Nku Udo Eno, Akwa Ibom; and Government Day Secondary School, Dong, Adamawa. NDLEA Chairman/CEO Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) praised officers across Lagos, Kano, Abia, Benue, Osun, and Edo for their successful drug seizures and arrests, reaffirming the agency’s commitment to tackling drug trafficking through a balanced approach of supply reduction and public education.