Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a 42-year-old Angolan businessman, Mbala Dajou Abuba, at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano, for attempting to smuggle cocaine to Istanbul, Turkey. Abuba, a native of Zaire Province in Angola, was apprehended on February 25, 2025, while trying to board an Egypt Air flight MS 880 to Istanbul via Cairo. A body scan confirmed that he had ingested illicit drugs, leading to his placement under observation. Over seven excretions, he expelled 120 pellets of cocaine weighing 1.829kg. During interrogation, he admitted to shifting from the delivery business in Angola to drug trafficking.

NDLEA operatives also intercepted multiple drug consignments across Nigeria in recent days. On February 24, officials at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, arrested Okeke Ebuka Igwe, an auto parts dealer, for attempting to export 1.10kg of cocaine hidden in vehicle propellers to Angola. The suspect operates at ASPANDA, Trade Fair Complex, Lagos. Similarly, a suspect, Ezechi Iyke Cyprian, was arrested on February 23 while attempting to transport 5.40kg of cocaine to Owerri, Imo State, in a Toyota Sienna bus.

A joint security team at Tincan Seaport, Lagos, on February 28, uncovered 128 parcels of Canadian Loud cannabis (63.75kg) hidden in two mattresses inside a Toyota Venza imported from Canada. The consignee, Bamidele Joseph (44), was arrested. In Delta State, NDLEA, with military support, destroyed a 20-hectare cannabis farm in Innam-Abbi/Orogun, Ndokwa West LGA, on February 27. Over 50,000kg of cannabis was burned, and five suspects, including Augustine Subaru (45) and Itoje Safe (54), were arrested. The following day, February 28, operatives seized a Mercedes-Benz truck carrying 1,111kg of skunk on Abraka-Orogun Road.

In Edo State, on March 1, NDLEA and military personnel raided warehouses in Okpuje, Owan West LGA, destroying over 100 jumbo bags of skunk and seizing 1,409.5kg. Two suspects, Oikelomen Osere Monday (38) and Glory Iroyo (42), were detained. Meanwhile, along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, a suspect, Michael Omoloki (46), was caught with 58.5kg of skunk. In Kwara State, a Beninese suspect, Lawali Mohammed, was arrested in Ilorin with 2,980 tramadol tablets and other substances. On February 27, Sunday Ogbu (45) was arrested along the Ibadan-Gbongan Expressway with 1.05kg of skunk hidden in detergent and biscuit cartons. On February 23, Ayuba Mustapha (30) was caught with 24,700 tramadol pills in Tsafe, Zamfara State.

In Borno State, Mustapha Shettima (50) was arrested on February 26 in Maiduguri with 31kg of skunk, 1,000 tramadol pills, and N720,000. That same day in Kano, Adamu Idris (40) was arrested with 140 blocks of cannabis (73.5kg) on Zaria Road.

NDLEA continues its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization programs in schools, religious centers, workplaces, and communities. Recent awareness campaigns were held at Ansarudeen Junior Secondary School, Lagos; Loretto Girls Special Science School, Anambra; and Tudun Murtala Special Primary School, Kano. NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd.), commended the officers for their efforts in combating drug trafficking and emphasized the agency’s commitment to reducing both drug supply and demand nationwide.