Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted consignments of cocaine and cannabis concealed in food flasks and snack packs, leading to multiple arrests across Nigeria.
At the export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, officers uncovered 12 parcels of cocaine weighing 2.80 kilograms, hidden in the false bottoms of food flasks. The shipment was bound for the United Kingdom via a Virgin Atlantic flight.
According to NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, the operation carried out on April 9, 2026, led to the arrest of two cargo agents, Ama Obinna Ufeim and Ogabi Monday Akorede. Further investigations resulted in the apprehension of the alleged sender, freight forwarder Agoro Tajudeen Moninuola.
In a separate operation on April 8 at the airport’s import shed, NDLEA operatives intercepted 2.90 kilograms of “Loud,” a potent strain of cannabis, concealed in snack packs arriving from the United States aboard a Delta Air Lines flight. Two clearing agents were initially arrested, while the consignee, identified as Saheed Adeshina Adegoke, was later apprehended at his residence in Ogba, Lagos.
Beyond Lagos, the agency recorded major seizures nationwide. In Kaduna State, operatives intercepted a cement truck along the Kaduna-Zaria highway, recovering 847 kilograms of skunk concealed in the cargo and arresting the driver.
In Cross River State, a joint operation with security personnel led to the arrest of a suspect during a raid in Uwet community, where 15,000 kilograms of skunk cultivated on farmland were destroyed, with additional quantities recovered.
Similarly, in Edo State, NDLEA officers raided a cannabis farm in Ovia North East Local Government Area, destroying over 2,200 kilograms of the substance and arresting three suspects.
In Delta State, two individuals were arrested with 87.838 kilograms of skunk at Okwo, while in Lagos, operatives intercepted suspects along the Mile 2–Badagry expressway attempting to traffic tramadol capsules and phenobarbital injections to Ghana. Another raid in Lagos Island led to the recovery of 95.8 kilograms of skunk.
The agency also highlighted ongoing awareness efforts under its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign, with sensitisation programmes conducted in schools, religious centres, workplaces, and communities nationwide.
NDLEA Chairman, Mohamed Buba Marwa, commended officers across various commands for their efforts, urging them to sustain the momentum in combating drug trafficking while continuing public education initiatives.
