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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has recently stepped up its crackdown on drug trafficking in Nigeria. It exposes various methods used by traffickers to conceal illicit substances. In a remarkable operation, NDLEA agents discovered 36 shipments containing a strong strain of cannabis. It was camouflaged behind tins of baby food at Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport. These tins, destined for the United Kingdom, were meticulously tampered with—sealed at the top and loaded with drugs through the bottom. It was then covered with the infant cereal to avoid detection. The total weight of the seized cannabis was 18.5 kilograms.
In a notable seizure, the NDLEA captured two containers with imported opioids valued at ₦4.3 billion at the Port Harcourt Ports complex in Onne, Rivers. and Tincan in Lagos State. The details of the seizures reveal that they include 168,000 bottles of codeine-based syrup. It is worth ₦1.1 billion and ₦4.5 million pills of super royal tramadol 225mg, which are valued at ₦3.2 billion. These operations highlight the NDLEA’s dedication to fighting drug trafficking and the creative tactics used by traffickers to transport illegal substances. The agency continues to improve its surveillance and intelligence-gathering methods to remain proactive against such criminal activities.
What Led to the arrest?
A vehicle search resulted in the finding of a total of nine hundred and forty-two (942) explosives hidden in a sack, leading to the arrest of a 30-year-old suspect, Nura Sani Muhammad, also known as Nura Hariji,”. Babafemi further mentioned that at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja, NDLEA operatives seized 42 parcels of Canadian Loud. He also noted that three individuals, including the intended recipient, Monsurat Lawson, were apprehended between April 30 and May 3. In a different case at the Lagos airport on May 2, Babafemi reported that businessman Bobby Morris Osas was detained while trying to board a flight to Italy with over 8,000 tramadol pills.
In a significant development after a 10-month-long investigation, operatives of the NDLEA arrested Dominic Chiegozie Obijiaku, the 52-year-old Managing Director of Ovidaq International Ltd, for his involvement in the importation of over 2.6 million tramadol pills through the Apapa port in July 2024.
A search of his residence in Lekki also resulted in the discovery of 51 wraps of Canadian Loud.
“After a thorough investigation spanning 10 months, NDLEA operatives apprehended a wanted drug kingpin, 52-year-old Dominic Chiegozie Obijiaku. This is in connection with the importation of 2,616,060 pills of tramadol 225mg that were seized by the NDLEA at the Apapa seaport in Lagos on 28th July 2024.
“A subsequent operation at his Lekki home led to the confiscation of 51 wraps of Canadian Loud totaling 34 grams,” the statement indicated.