Tag: NDLEA

NDLEA arrests pastor, wife after 11kg skunk discovered in SUV

Aminu Imam
NDLEA arrests pastor

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have taken into custody a pastor and his wife in Lagos after allegedly uncovering 11 kilograms of skunk concealed within specially modified compartments of their sports-utility vehicle (SUV). The suspects, Pastor Afolabi Hodonu, 45, who is said to be in charge of the Celestial Church of Christ, Agonvi Sea Beach, in the Sakpo area of Seme border, Badagry, and his wife, Mrs Success Hodonu, 35, were arrested on Thursday, April 2, at the Gbaji checkpoint. Details of the arrest were contained…

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NDLEA arrests ex-Lagos Councillor, intercepts drugs in diapers, explosives 

Aminu Imam
NDLEA arrests ex Councillor

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a former councillor in Ibeju-Lekki local government area, Sheleru Sadiq Olalekan, following the recovery of illicit drugs from his residence. The arrest formed part of a series of nationwide operations by the anti-narcotics agency, which also led to the interception of drugs concealed in baby diapers and the recovery of hundreds of improvised explosive device components in different states. This was made known in a statement yesterday by the NDLEA Spokesperson, Femi Babafemi The 45-year-old suspect, who previously served…

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’15 million Nigerians are on drugs’ – Marwa

Aminu Imam

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier-General Buba Marwa (rtd.), yesterday raised the alarm that about 15 million Nigerians between the ages of 15 and 64 are involved in the intake of illicit drugs. While expressing concern that the staggering statistic is nearly three times the global average, Marwa, who described the figure as unacceptable, revealed that one in every seven Nigerians in the age bracket consumes drugs. Marwa, who made the disclosure yesterday, during a courtesy visit with his entourage to Ondo…

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Tinubu reappoints Marwa as NDLEA Chairman for another 5yr term

Aminu Imam
Marwa reappointed

President Bola Tinubu has approved the reappointment of Brigadier-General Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd) as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA) for another five-year term. The State House confirmed the development yesterday, extending Marwa’s leadership of the NDLEA until 2031.  The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, announced the reappointment in a statement dated November 14, 2025, highlighting Marwa’s extensive military and administrative experience. Recall that Former President Muhammadu Buhari first appointed him in January 2021. Before his appointment…

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S’Arabia free 3 Nigerian pilgrims implicated for drug trafficking

Aminu Imam
S'Arabia frees 3 Nigerians

Three Nigerian pilgrims detained for alleged drug trafficking in Saudi Arabia have been released. The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA), announced this at a presser yesterday. The agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, explained that their release followed an engagement between the NDLEA and the Saudi government. He said the three pilgrims would soon arrive in the country. “Saudi Arabia authorities have released three Nigerian pilgrims who were detained in Jeddah since last month following their arrest over alleged drug trafficking. The 3 Nigerians who were freed…

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NDLEA arrests drug kingpin in Delta, seizes ₦7.8bn opioids

Aminu Imam
NDLEA arrests

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA), says it has arrested a notorious drug kingpin, Sunday Ibigide, while attempting to move 250 blocks of skunk weighing 138 kilograms, with his distribution bus. Ibigide, who had been on the run for three years, was apprehended on Sunday, August 10, 2025, along with one of his aides, Clement Osuya, in Asaba, Delta, while they were trying to move the illegal drugs for distribution. A statement  issued yesterday by the agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, stated: “Ibigide came under searchlight on 19th March 2022…

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Tinubu rejects NDLEA Bill over crime proceeds clause

Aminu Imam
Tinubu rejects NDLEA Bill

President Bola Tinubu has declined to sign the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Bill, 2025 into law. The President’s decision not to sign the bill passed by both chambers of the National Assembly was contained in a letter read in the Green Chamber during yesterday’s plenary. The President, citing Section 58(4) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), explained that the proposed law seeks to empower the NDLEA to retain a portion of the proceeds from drug-related crimes, a move he said contradicts existing financial regulations. He noted that under…

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‘Economic hardship fuels drug abuse in Nigeria’, as NDLEA vows crackdown

Aminu Imam
NDLEA vows crackdown

The worsening economic situation in Nigeria is driving more youths into drug abuse, prompting a renewed crackdown by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA). According to a published report,  in Enugu State, many young people, unable to sustain themselves in urban areas, have returned to their villages, only to find life equally challenging. Frustration has led many to seek solace in drugs and alcohol, worsening an already growing crisis. The Enugu State government has announced plans to establish NDLEA operational bases in all 17 local government areas to combat…

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Rivers: NDLEA intercepts N4.4bn in codeine shipment from India

Aminu Imam
NDLEA intercepts

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA)  has recovered 636,600 bottles of codeine-based syrup worth N4.4 billion in street value, at Port-Harcourt Port Complex, Onne, Rivers State. According to a statement issued by agency spokesman Femi Babafemi yesterday in Abuja, the drugs were intercepted in shipments from India on December 9, 11 and 13. He said the seizures were made during a joint examination of four containers by NDLEA officers, men of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and other security agencies at the port. This, Babafemi said, was made possible following…

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NDLEA intercepts US, Europe-bound N16.68bn drugs in shoe soles

Aminu Imam
NDLEA intercepts

Consignments of opioids concealed in soles of shoes and hair attachments heading to the United States, United Kingdom and Cyprus have been intercepted by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA), at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos and three courier companies in the State. The Agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, confirmed the seizures in a statement he issued yesterday. Babafemi said a total of 2,118 pills of tramadol concealed in soles of 13 pairs of shoes going to Cyprus were seized at the…

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