In a series of coordinated intelligence-led operations spanning over three weeks, operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have smashed two major drug cartels responsible for six cocaine consignments concealed in stainless cups, body creams, and hair gel containers. The operations, carried out across Lagos and other states, led to the arrest of five suspects and the syndicate’s leader, Alhaji Hammed Taofeek Ode, a self-acclaimed businessman and real estate developer.

The operation began on 16 September 2025 when NDLEA operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos, intercepted 174 parcels of cocaine weighing 13.40 kilograms hidden inside cocoa butter containers. A cargo agent was arrested on the spot, leading investigators to identify Alhaji Ode as the mastermind.

Following weeks of intelligence gathering, NDLEA, with assistance from the police, apprehended Ode. During interrogation, he admitted ownership of the consignment, which he claimed to have purchased for over N150 million. The suspect, who reportedly lived in several European countries including Austria, France, Germany, and the UK for over 27 years, said he returned to Nigeria in 2024 to establish a business.

Further investigations led to the unravelling of another cocaine syndicate involved in multiple UK-bound drug shipments. On 26 September, NDLEA operatives at the MMIA export shed seized 2.10kg of cocaine concealed in hair cream containers. This led to the arrest of Smith David Korede, a furniture maker, at his residence in Mafoluku, Oshodi, where another 1.40kg of cocaine destined for the UK was recovered. Additional 1.00kg of cocaine linked to Korede was also seized at the airport the same day.

Two more UK-bound consignments were intercepted on 2 October, concealed within crayfish shipments and stainless cups. Two suspects — Ogunbiyi Oluseye Taiwo and Popoola Francis Olumuyiwa — were arrested in connection with the seizures.

In a related operation, NDLEA operatives attached to courier firms foiled an attempt to smuggle 6.3kg of Loud (a potent strain of cannabis) into Lagos from Thailand, concealed in bedsheets and hibiscus flowers. Similarly, a joint NDLEA–Customs operation on the Danbatta–Daura road, Kano, led to the arrest of Sa’adu Ali (38) with 290,450 pills of tramadol and pregabalin capsules.

Other major operations across the country also yielded significant results:

In Lagos, notorious dealer John Igbe (aka SammyBless) was arrested in Lekki with 550g of Colorado (synthetic cannabis). Three others — Idris Lukman, Fuad Abdulsalam, and Mobolaji James — were arrested in Mushin with 109kg of skunk, codeine syrup, and nitrous oxide.

At Alaba Trade Fair Complex, 3,700 bottles of codeine syrup and 550,000 caplets of expired diclofenac were recovered.

In Kwara State, 27,700 tramadol pills were seized from Salisu Abubakar (25), while in Kaduna, Blessing Ovaka (50) was caught with 498.5kg of skunk, and Dahiru Salisu (27) arrested with 34,180 tramadol capsules.

In Ogun State, Abubakar Audu was nabbed with 112kg of skunk, while three suspects were arrested in Osun’s Owena/Ijesha forest reserve, where NDLEA destroyed 14,000kg of cannabis grown on 5.6 hectares of farmland.

In Edo State, operatives intercepted 244.5kg of skunk and destroyed 10,897kg across four farms in Ovia North East LGA, arresting two suspects.

NDLEA’s patrol teams also intercepted a 3.272kg parcel of Loud and Colorado along the Okene–Lokoja highway, leading to the arrest of Tobi Odubote (34) in Abuja. Another suspect, Ismail Abdurrahim (32), was caught with 25.5kg of skunk on the Abaji–Abuja expressway.

Across its commands nationwide, the agency continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization campaigns in schools, markets, and communities, with notable activities in Adamawa, Katsina, Niger, Lagos, and Imo States.

NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd.), commended the officers for their professionalism and resilience. He vowed continued pursuit of drug traffickers at all levels, emphasizing that “every arrest, seizure, and asset forfeiture signifies lives saved and communities protected.”