Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested two brothers in possession of 5 kilograms of cocaine at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, while attempting to board a flight to India.
NDLEA Media and Advocacy Director, Femi Babafemi revealed this in a statement on Sunday.
The expectations of John Abugu, 43, and Kenneth Abugu, 31, who claimed they were traveling to India for medical treatment was cut short as credible intelligence led to the thorough searching and discovery of whitish powdery substances later confirmed to be cocaine in their suitcases.
Babafemi stated, “Operatives of a Special Operations Unit of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have arrested two brothers: John Abugu, 43, and Kenneth Abugu, 31, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA Ikeja, Lagos with 5kilograms cocaine concealed in walls of their suitcases while attempting to board a flight to India.
“The two brothers were arrested at the Lagos airport on Thursday 3rd April 2025 following proactive processing of credible intelligence. They claimed they were travelling to India for medical treatment but when their suitcases were thoroughly searched by NDLEA officers, whitish powdery substances later confirmed to be cocaine were discovered on the walls of their bags.
In a similar development, NDLEA records the arrest of a 20-year-old Ghanaian – British man, Parker Darren Hazekia Oseni, who claimed to be a London University student but was in possession of cannabis products packed in a traveling bag with the hope of delivering it in Nigeria.
The NDLEA boss confirmed his arrest during the inward clearance of passengers at the E-arrival hall of the Lagos Airport.
Babafemi revealed, “In a similar development, NDLEA officers of the MMIA Strategic Command same day, Thursday 3rd April intercepted a 20-year-old Ghanaian – British man, Parker Darren Hazekia Osei with 36 parcels of Loud, a strong strain of cannabis weighing 19.40kg packed in a giant travelling bag. The suspect who claims he is a student of Computer Science at East London University, UK, was arrested during the inward clearance of passengers on an Ethiopian Airlines flight from Bangkok, Thailand, at the E-arrival hall of the Lagos airport.
“In his statement, the techie claims he lives with his parents in the UK but left London about a week ago for Bangkok where he picked up the illicit drug consignment to deliver in Nigeria.”
Meanwhile, Babafemi also exposed NDLEA operations in Kogi State, resulting in the arrest of a 33-year-old lady, Ngozi Ogili, while moving 3 kilograms of methamphetamine from Lagos to Abuja, with the seizure of some cannabis products at her delivery point in Abuja.
“NDLEA operatives in Kogi state have arrested a 33-year-old lady, Ngozi Ogili while moving 3kilograms of methamphetamine from Lagos to Abuja. She was nabbed in a commercial transport bus along Okene-Lokoja highway on Monday 31st March 2025. A follow up operation at her point of delivery in Apo mechanic area of Abuja led to the seizure of quantities of Loud and Colorado, both synthetic strains of cannabis.” He stated.
Furthermore, NDLEA officers during a raid in Abia state also arrested a 75-year-old grandpa, Nna Nanna Felix in possession of a strain of cannabis alongside a 21-year-old David Chinemerem with 2,050 ampoules of pentazocine.
“In Abia state, NDLEA officers on Saturday 5th April arrested a 75-year-old grandpa, Nna Nnanna Felix with 1.6kg skunk, a strain of cannabis during a raid at Umunteke Asa, Ukwa West LGA, while another suspect David Chinemerem, 21, was nabbed with 2,050 ampoules of pentazocine at 7 Nnajiego Lane, Umuode road, Aba on Tuesday 1st April,” the statement revealed.
In another development, NDLEA operatives in Yobe State, seized over 321 bottles of codeine syrup and 108 tablets of tramadol from a suspect, Abdullahi Adamu. Another successful raid operations in Osogbo and Anambra were recorded as one Obinna Sunday and Ugochukwu Ojalanonye were arrested.
“No fewer than 381 bottles of codeine syrup and 108 tablets of tramadol were seized from a suspect, Abdullahi Adamu along Potiskum-Damaturu road, Yobe state by NDLEA operatives on Saturday 5th April, just as raid operations at Osogbo motor park, Onitsha and a house at Oba in Idemili Local Government Area of Anambra state led to the arrest of Obinna Sunday and the seizure of 195,000 pills of tramadol. Also arrested during the raid at the motor park was Ugochukwu Ojalanonye with 4.2kg codeine syrup and 5.4kg pentazocine.” The statement reveals.
Meanwhile, the Federal Capital Territory was not left out in this raid as a 51-year-old Sunday Ayogu in possession of cannabis products was arrested by NDLEA operatives.
NDLEA operatives with joint effort of the Nigerian Army also raided a cannabis plantation in a Esuk-Odot Community of Cross River State, arresting Faith Effiong Etim, 64, and Victoria Asuquo Etim, 40 while destroying psychoactive plantations.
The NDLEA boss revealed in the statement, “In the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, NDLEA operatives on Thursday 3rd April arrested 51-year-old Sunday Ayogu with 25kg skunk and 90.4g of methamphetamine during a raid operation at Wuse market Abuja, while two ladies: Faith Effiong Etim, 64, and Victoria Asuquo Etim, 40, were nabbed on Friday 4th April when NDLEA operatives supported by men of the Nigerian Army raided cannabis plantations in Esuk-Odot community, Odukpani LGA of Cross River State where 250,000 kilograms of the psychoactive plant were destroyed on over 100 hectares of farm land.”
Babafemi further noted that Commands and formations of the Agency across the country are moving in the same strength, in their War Against Drug Abuse, Wada, sensitizing schools, and other various organizations in a bid to curb the growing menace of drug abuse.
He noted, “With the same vigour, Commands and formations of the Agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, sensitization activities to schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others in the past week. These include: WADA enlightenment lecture to students and staff of Cave City Secondary School, Ogidi, Anambra state; residents of Dan’iyau village, Batagarawa LGA, Katsina; and members of Nigerian Association of Patent and Proprietary Medicine Dealers in Sangere and Kwanan Waya, Yola, Adamawa state, among others.”
Meanwhile, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) commended and appreciated the efforts of the NDLEA Operatives in their approach to drug supply and demand reduction.
“While commending the officers and men of MMIA, SOU, Yobe, Abia, Kogi, Anambra, Cross River and FCT Commands of the Agency for the arrests and seizures, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) stated that their operational successes and those of their compatriots across the country especially their balanced approach to drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts are well appreciated,” Babafemi noted.
