NDLEA Seizes ₦6.5 Billion in Opioids, Arrests Two British Nationals and Nigerian Accomplices in Massive Drug Crackdown
Byline: Zainab Uzoma | IDNN Security Desk
In one of the most significant anti-narcotics operations this year, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted opioids and codeine-based cough syrups worth ₦6.524 billion in a series of coordinated seizures at the Apapa Port in Lagos and the Port Harcourt Ports Complex, Onne, Rivers State.
The bust included:
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Six million pills of tamol, tapentadol, and carisoprodol
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332,000 bottles of codeine-based syrup
The seizures followed weeks of intelligence surveillance and container tracking based on newly identified drug trafficking routes. NDLEA operatives executed 100% container checks, working alongside Nigeria Customs and other agencies between May 19 and May 22, 2025.
British Drug Mules Busted in Lagos Airport Sting
Meanwhile, NDLEA officers at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) arrested two British nationals—Mhizha Jordan Alexander Tatendra and Ayedipe Andrew Adejuwon—along with two Nigerians, after seizing 92 bags of Loud (high-grade cannabis) weighing 51.10kg.
Alexander arrived via a Qatar Airways flight from Doha and was covertly monitored to the MMIA car park, where Adejuwon and others were waiting to collect the cargo. NDLEA agents swooped in during the handoff and arrested all parties. Adejuwon confessed to recruiting Alexander while vacationing in the UK, promising £1,300 upon successful delivery.
Lekki Raid Uncovers Cash, Drugs, Gas Canisters
A follow-up operation at a Lekki apartment led to the recovery of:
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₦3.81 million in cash
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17,200 South African Rand
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Apple laptop and iPhone 14 Pro Max
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Four canisters of nitrous oxide (laughing gas)
NDLEA Nationwide Sweep – Forest Raids, Border Intercepts
In multiple operations across Nigeria:
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75,000kg of skunk were destroyed across 30 hectares in Cross River and Edo
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4,000kg of skunk was intercepted in Nasarawa
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235 blocks of cannabis (97kg) were seized in Niger State
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57,750 pills of tramadol/diazepam found with a suspect in Kaduna
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80 blocks of skunk (45kg) seized in Bauchi
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55 parcels of Colorado intercepted in Yobe en route to Chad
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Multi-drug arrests conducted in Lagos’ Osapa London and Ibeju-Lekki
WADA Campaign Expands to Schools and Communities
NDLEA’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign continued with outreach sessions in Katsina, Akwa Ibom, Ebonyi, Adamawa, and Kano. Advocacy visits also included the Sarkin Fulani of Lagos, Alhaji Muhammadu Bambado.
NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), praised officers nationwide for maintaining pressure on both drug supply and demand chains.
