National Drug Law Enforcement Agency

National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Say No to Drugs Abuse, Yes to Life

Photos: Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, represented by the Agency Secre...
14/02/2026

Photos: Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, represented by the Agency Secretary, Shedrach Haruna, alongside senior management staff of the Agency, during a joint session with members of the House and Senate Committees on Drugs and Narcotics on the defence of 2026 budget proposal at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja, on Thursday, 12th February 2026.

Photos: Chairman/CEO of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), alongside some top officials of the agency in a WADA...
04/02/2026

Photos: Chairman/CEO of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), alongside some top officials of the agency in a WADA review hybrid meeting with Members of the CCEO Special Purpose Committee at the Agency’s National Headquarters Abuja, on Tuesday 3rd February, 2026.

NDLEA intercepts Brazil returnee with co***ne concealed in private part, soles of footwearOver 9,939kg Loud, Colos, Skun...
01/02/2026

NDLEA intercepts Brazil returnee with co***ne concealed in private part, soles of footwear
Over 9,939kg Loud, Colos, Skunk seized in Lagos, Niger, Edo, Anambra, Ondo raids; 12,500 ampoules of pentazocine injection recovered in Kano

A Brazil based Nigerian businessman Uche Franklin Onyekwere has been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the arrival hall of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Ikeja-Lagos for concealing parcels of co***ne in his private part and soles of his footwear.

Onyekwere was arrested on Thursday 29th January 2026 during the inward clearance of South African Airways flight passengers arriving from Brazil via Johannesburg following processed intelligence. When the 47-year-old suspect was taken for full body scan, the result confirmed illicit drug concealment.

As a result, he was subjected to a strip search, during which a big parcel of white powdery substance, which later tested positive for co***ne, was discovered wrapped around his right thigh. A further search revealed two additional wraps of the same substance concealed in the sole of a pair of flat shoes worn by the suspect. In all, three large wraps of co***ne, with a gross weight of 1.60 kilograms, were recovered from his body and footwear.
During a preliminary interview, the suspect revealed he purchased the illicit drug consignment in Brazil with the intention to resell the co***ne in Nigeria in order to raise capital to boost his business and also finance the naming ceremony of his newly born child. The suspect who lives in Rua Ever, Mulariuha, São Paulo, claimed that he has been living in Brazil since 2008 while he has been operating a toy business for about nine years.

At the Tincan seaport in Lagos, a total of 55 jumbo bags of Canadian Loud, a strong strain of cannabis with a gross weight of 1,183 kilograms imported from Montreal, Canada in a container was discovered on Wednesday 28th January during a joint examination of the shipment by NDLEA officers, Customs and other security agencies. The illicit consignments were hidden inside two vehicles: a Hyundai SUV and a Toyota Matrix car.

In Niger state, NDLEA operatives acting on credible intelligence in the early hours of Tuesday 26th January intercepted a long truck marked T 31589 LA along Dei-Dei Abuja expressway where they arrested the trio of Andy Chidogu, 49; Kenneth Ogene, 45; and Sadiq Olanrewaju, 27, for conveying 176 bags of skunk, a strain of cannabis weighing 2,735 kilograms and 1 kilogram of Colorado, a synthetic cannabis, concealed in the truck.

Investigations revealed that Kenneth Ogene who drives the truck left Lagos on 23rd January loaded with 800 bags of flour to Ekpoma, Edo State and arrived the following day 24th January. In Ekpoma, he then negotiated to transport the 176 bags of skunk and 1kg Colos for N1.7million.

In another interdiction operation, NDLEA operatives in Edo state on Tuesday 27th January arrested Shaibu Yusuf along Auchi-Abuja express road while looking for a vehicle to convey 66 bags of skunk concealed in bags of charcoal, weighing 792kg, to Katsina. Also, in Edo, operatives supported by Nigerian Army personnel on Wednesday 28th January raided a
cannabis farm at Ebora camp, Ilushi in Esan South East LGA where 4,063.675kg skunk was destroyed on over 1.6 hectares farmland while 328kg processed cannabis and its seeds were recovered. Suspects arrested at the camp include: Jeremiah Nwodeh, 46; Chukwudi Pius,33; Pius Ogaba, 46; and Onora Kwene, 35.

In Anambra state, NDLEA operatives on Wednesday 28th January intercepted a cement truck at Upper Iweka Onitsha, heading to Nkpor. A search of the trailer revealed that bags of cement were used to conceal 345.2kg skunk owned Abum Okeke, 42, who was one of the three occupants of the truck at the time of arrest.

At least, two suspects: Tunde Ogundele,39, and Soji Elegbelye, 46, were on Monday 26th January arrested at Eleyewo community in Akure North area of Ondo state, in connection with the seizure of 473kg skunk, while NDLEA operatives in Kano on same day nabbed Abdullahi Usman, 45, at Murtala Mohammed way, with 12,500 ampoules of pentazocine injection recovered from him. Not less than 4,390 pills of tramadol were seized from another suspect Musa Shuaibu, 42, when he was arrested in Gaya area of Kano on Tuesday 27th January.

While Oragwan Ekene was arrested on Friday 30th January at Okeyson park, Alaba, Lagos, with 15.5kg skunk heading to Onitsha, Anambra state with the illicit consignment, 3.5kg of same psychoactive substance was recovered from a sound system and two packets of cereal found in the luggage of Omang Peter Edward at the arrival tarmac of Seme border, Badagry on Tuesday 27th January. The suspect was coming from Cotonou, Benin Republic into Lagos.

Across all Commands and formations of the Agency nationwide, NDLEA officers continued their War Against Drug Abuse, (WADA), sensitization activities in schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others in the past week. These include: WADA enlightenment lecture to students and staff of Government Day Junior Secondary School, Jaji Maji, Yobe; Boys Technical College, Aba, Abia; Government Technical and Vocational College, Obollo Orie, Enugu; St. John’s R.C.M Primary School, Odomola Eredo, Epe, Lagos; Yandaki Primary School, Kaita, Katsina and Seed of Life College, Ibadan, Oyo state, among others.

While commending the officers and men of the MMIA, Tincan, Niger, Lagos, Edo, Anambra, Ondo, and Kano Commands for the arrests, seizures and their professionalism, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) enjoined them and their colleagues across the country to continue the current balanced approach to their drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts.

Femi Babafemi
Director, Media & Advocacy
NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja
Sunday 1st February 2026

Photos: Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) CON, OFR, led some members of his m...
30/01/2026

Photos: Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) CON, OFR, led some members of his management team in an interaction with senior officials of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Ibadan, Oyo State led by Ms. Hilde Koper, acting DG/Deputy Director General on Thursday 29th January 2026 as part of efforts to strengthen the partnership and support of the Institute for the Alternative Development Pilot Project launched this week in three cannabis cultivating communities of Ilu Abo, Ifon and Eleyewo in Ondo State. The NDLEA boss thereafter toured the Oyo State Command of the Agency where he addressed officers and men.

Photos: It was a busy Monday 26th January 2026 in Akure, Ondo state as the Chairman/ Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, B...
26/01/2026

Photos: It was a busy Monday 26th January 2026 in Akure, Ondo state as the Chairman/ Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) led senior officials of the Agency on advocacy visits and engagements with Ondo state governor, His Excellency Dr. Lucky Ayedatiwa; Deji of Akure land, Oba Aladetoyinbo Adelusi, Odundun 11; leaders of Muslim Council and Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) ahead of the launch of Alternative Development Pilot Project aimed at promoting alternative cropping and sustainable livelihoods for cannabis farmers in Ondo State on Tuesday and Wednesday

NDLEA intercepts Brazilian lady with N3b he**in in coffee packs at Abuja airport Seizes bags of explosives heading to Ka...
25/01/2026

NDLEA intercepts Brazilian lady with N3b he**in in coffee packs at Abuja airport
Seizes bags of explosives heading to Kano, Kaduna; Edo village head, 72-year-old grandpa, others in custody as Agency recovers tons of illicit drugs in raids across Borno, Jigawa, Kwara, Ekiti, Lagos, Ondo, FCT, others

A 30-year-old Brazilian lady, Ms. Ingrid Rosa Benevides has been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja for bringing into Nigeria a total of 30.09 kilograms of white he**in concealed in factory sealed coffee packs worth over N3 billion in street value.

The suspect who works as a private security officer in Brazil was arrested at the Abuja airport on Friday 23rd January 2026 upon her arrival on a Qatar Airways flight QR1431, following processed intelligence. After her arrest, a search was conducted on her two checked-in bags where 21 factory-sealed packets of Brazilian coffee were found.

When the coffee bags were opened, rather than containing the beverage, what was found inside were white substances that later tested positive for he**in weighing a total of 30.09 kilograms, making it the single largest he**in seizure at the Abuja airport. During her preliminary interview, the suspect claimed she brought the white he**in consignment under the guise of coming to Nigeria for holidays.

At the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, (MMIA) Ikeja, Lagos, NDLEA operatives on Tuesday 20th January intercepted two passengers: Adediran Adedoyin and Afatakpa Ochuko who were heading to Istanbul, Turkey, aboard a Turkish Airlines flight with a total of 3,990 pills of tapentadol 250mg and tramaking 225mg concealed in food items packed in their bags.

Meanwhile, operatives of the Marine Command of the Agency in the early hours of Thursday 22nd January intercepted a wooden boat loaded with 44 jumbo bags of Ghana Loud, a strain of cannabis weighing 1,848 kilograms at the Jakande beach in Lekki Lagos. The shipment had barely arrived from Ghana when NDLEA officers acting on credible intelligence stormed the location around 1am, recovered the consignment and the boat.

Two suspects: Aminu Ali Baba, 20, and Abdulrasheed Abubakar, 28, were on Friday 23rd January arrested by NDLEA operatives in connection with the seizure of two bags containing 140 packets of explosives heading to Kano and Kaduna. The bags were intercepted in a commercial bus along Kaduna- Zaria highway, Zaria, while Aminu Ali Baba was arrested at Karota park in Kano and Abdulrasheed Abubakar nabbed at Mando park in Kaduna in swift follow-up operations. An intelligence-led raid at Kwangila, Zaria LGA Kaduna on Thursday 22nd January led to the arrest of Fatima Ibrahim, 42, and Adejimoh Ismaila, 44, with 120 kilograms of skunk recovered from them.

As part of efforts to disrupt the supply chain of illicit drugs to terror groups, NDLEA operatives in Borno state on Wednesday 21st January intercepted 179,590 pills of tramadol and diazepam concealed in sacks of charcoal and animal feeds in a public transport car coming from Potiskum, Yobe. A follow-up operation at Bulabulin, Maiduguri led to the arrest of the owner, Rabiu Imam, 32.
A female suspect Mrs. Eze Cynthia Chioma was on Friday 23rd January arrested in Mokwa, Niger state in a follow up operation by NDLEA operatives following the seizure of her consignment of 78,500 pills of tramadol same day at Bode Saadu, Kwara state in a truck coming from Lagos. Her husband currently remanded in prison and facing trial was arrested for the same drug trafficking offence last year.

In Ekiti, NDLEA operatives on Saturday 24th January arrested 72-year-old Afolalu Joseph at his 15 Aramoko road, Mushin, Ilawe-Ekiti and Abu Bunmi (alias Go Slow), 45, at New Jerusalem area, Erijinyan road, Ilawe-Ekiti for illicit drug dealing. A total of 62 kilograms of skunk were recovered from the duo.
A village head, Chief James Abamu and another suspect, Aboy Egah Abamu have been taken into custody by the Edo state Command of NDLEA following their arrest and prompt transfer to the Agency by soldiers of the Nigerian Army 4 Brigade, Benin city, after a raid operation at Lagos camp Ilushi in Esan South East LGA, where 681kg skunk and 181kg cannabis seeds were recovered from them on Wednesday 21st January.

While the trio of Abba Hassan, Anas Moh’d Auwal and Sadik Ismail were arrested in Sabon Gari area of Kano on Tuesday 20th January with 1,000 ampoules of pentazocine injection, the duo of Olajumoke Ridwan and Baruwa Ibukun were nabbed at Paris lounge, Ring road, Ibadan, Oyo state on Thursday 22nd January with 181.5 litres of skuchies, a mixture skunk and other illicit substances recovered from them.

In Benue state, a female suspect Janet Iornongu was arrested at Yes Ikyuan village, Guma LGA with 210kg skunk, while a total of 254.5kg of same psychoactive substance was seized from Anita Job along Abaji -Toto road, FCT on Thursday 22nd January. A total of 39,800 pills of tramadol 225mg were recovered from two suspects: Hamisu Misbahu and Chima Obi at Alaba Rago, Mile 2 area of Lagos on Monday 19th January.

No fewer than 30,003 pills of tramadol, molly and other opioids as well as 20 litres of codeine syrup were seized from a suspect Chinyecherem Cyprian Ugwu by NDLEA officers along Sapele road Warri, Delta state on Thursday 22nd January, while Kayode Obameye, 57, was nabbed at Mobil roundabout, Akure, Ondo state with 1,500 kilograms of skunk recovered from him on Friday 23rd January.

Across all Commands and formations of the Agency nationwide, NDLEA officers continued their War Against Drug Abuse, (WADA), sensitization activities in schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others in the past week. These include: WADA enlightenment lecture to students and staff of Taraba state command of NDLEA conducts WADA enlightenment lecture for students and staff of Government Science Secondary School, Jalingo, Osun state command of NDLEA delivers WADA sensitisation lecture to students and staff of Beloved Montessori Group of Schools, Ede, Osun state;
Owerri City Junior Secondary School, Owerri, Imo; Government Day Secondary School, Otukpo, Benue; and Darawa Primary School, Dutsinma, Katsina, among others.

While commending the officers and men of the NAIA, MMIA, Marine, Borno, Jigawa, Kwara, Kaduna, Ekiti, Edo, Kano, Delta, Oyo, FCT, Benue, Lagos and Ondo Commands for the arrests, seizures and their dexterity, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) enjoined them and their colleagues across the country to maintain the current standard of professionalism in all their drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction activities.

Femi Babafemi
Director, Media & Advocacy
NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja
Sunday 25th January 2026

Drug war: Marwa sets 2026 operational targets for NDLEA commanders Charges them to dismantle drug cartels, intensify sen...
23/01/2026

Drug war: Marwa sets 2026 operational targets for NDLEA commanders
Charges them to dismantle drug cartels, intensify sensitization advocacy nationwide

ABUJA, NIGERIA – Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), has set the tone for the 2026 operational goals with a high-level strategic meeting with directors, commanders and heads of formations during which he charged them to sustain the current momentum in the war against illicit substances by going all out to dismantle drug cartels and intensify sensitization efforts across the country.

Marwa gave the charge at the annual review and planning meeting that brought together, at the NDLEA National Headquarters in Abuja, the top echelon of the Agency, including: members of the Management; Zonal Commanders; Commanders from the 36 states and the FCT; Commanders of Seaports and International Airports; the Marine Unit Commander;
Commanders of the Strike Force and the Special Operations Units, among others.

Addressing the Commanders, Marwa emphasized that the Agency has kicked off the year on a strong footing, building on the record-breaking successes of previous years. He noted that 2026 would be a year of unprecedented consolidation especially in the areas of Drug Supply Reduction (DSR) and Drug Demand Reduction (DDR). "The results we achieved last year were significant, but we cannot afford to rest on our oars. Our 2026 goals are clear: we are here to completely disrupt the financial lifelines of drug cartels and ensure that every community in Nigeria is sensitized against the scourge of substance abuse", he declared.

During the session, he directed the various Commands to ensure a seamless ex*****on of the 2026 strategic work plan. According to him, “When I first assumed office, I made certain declarations about the direction of this Agency and the resolve to confront drug barons and kingpins. Looking back, the progress achieved is the result of your collective efforts, and all glory belongs to God.

“We have now successfully concluded five years, which passed remarkably quickly. While we acknowledge the achievements recorded during this period, we must not rest on our past successes. Rather, we must consolidate these gains and aim for even greater outcomes. Today, the Agency commands increased respect, both locally and internationally, and you should be proud to identify yourselves anywhere as officers and men of this Agency.

“The renewal of my tenure by the President is largely a reflection of your work. While I may issue directives, real impact comes from seizures made, arrests effected, and convictions secured in the field. Without these results, there would be nothing to communicate to the public. For this reason, I sincerely appreciate your diligence, commitment, and hard work.
“This year, we are here to set clear targets. Directors have already submitted their proposed objectives, but these will only be complete with input from commanders. Discipline and professional conduct must remain central to our operations.

“Operational professionalism and zero tolerance for compromise are non-negotiable. Commanders must ensure thorough surveillance and planning before any operation. Where operational capacity is insufficient, commanders must request reinforcement rather than risk avoidable casualties. Advocacy and sensitization efforts have recorded encouraging progress, particularly in schools and communities nationwide. These efforts must be intensified.

“State Drug Control Committees must be strengthened across all states, with efforts extended down to local government and ward levels. This year, all states must have functional committees. I urge all commanders to remain focused, professional, and committed to the mandate of the Agency. Together, we will continue to strengthen our impact and uphold the confidence reposed in us.”

The NDLEA boss reassured the public that the Agency remains more committed than ever to protecting Nigerian youths and families from the drug scourge. He said the Agency’s strong footing at the start of 2026 is a signal to drug cartels that there will be no vacuum or breathing space for their illicit trade. He encouraged Nigerians to remain vigilant and continue providing useful information to the Agency, reminding all that the fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking is a collective responsibility.

Femi Babafemi
Director, Media and Advocacy
NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja
Friday 23rd January 2026

77,792 arrested, 14,225 convicted, 14.8m kilograms drugs seized in 5 years, says Marwa Honours 166 NDLEA personnel, 17 C...
20/01/2026

77,792 arrested, 14,225 convicted, 14.8m kilograms drugs seized in 5 years, says Marwa
Honours 166 NDLEA personnel, 17 Commands at bi-annual CCEO awards and commendation ceremony; charges officers to go all out against drug cartels, barons

ABUJA, Tuesday, 20th January 2026 – Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), has declared that with an outstanding record of 77,792 arrests including 128 barons, 14,225 convictions and over 14.8 million kilograms of illicit substances seized in the past five years, the era of Nigeria serving as a safe haven for criminal drug enterprises is over.

Marwa stated this in his remarks at the 11th Chairman/Chief Executive Officer (CCEO) Awards and Commendation ceremony held at the Agency’s National Headquarters in Abuja where he charged NDLEA officers to brace up for more tactically sophisticated operations against drug cartels, barons and their mules in the next five years of his second tenure.

“When I first resumed in 2021, I promised to take the fight to the doorsteps of the merchants of death. Today, the numbers speak for themselves. Through our collective resilience, we have sent a clear message that Nigeria is no longer a safe haven for illicit drug enterprise.

“It’s therefore heartwarming to note that in the last five years, we recorded significant operational successes including the arrest of 77,792 drug offenders, including 128 identified drug barons who were central to major trafficking networks. We seized a total of 14,847,486.34 kilograms of assorted illicit drugs, thereby significantly disrupting both local and transnational supply chains.

“In further strengthening the criminal justice response to drug offences, the Agency successfully prosecuted and secured convictions against 14,225 offenders, reinforcing deterrence and affirming that drug crime attracts consequences.

“In line with our balanced approach, the Agency also prioritised drug demand reduction. Through structured treatment, counselling, and rehabilitation programmes, 32,442 drug users received professional intervention. Additionally, 13,735 War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation activities were conducted across schools, motor parks, workplaces, worship centres, and communities, expanding preventive awareness and citizen engagement nationwide”, he stated while highlighting the results of the last half-decade drug control efforts of the Agency under his leadership.

Noting that the achievements would not have been possible without the support of the executive, legislature and the judiciary, Marwa expressed his profound appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his unflinching support and the trust reposed in his leadership. He said that the President’s decision to extend the current leadership’s mandate is a call to escalate the war against drug abuse and trafficking to new heights.

“These achievements are not accidental. They are the result of discipline, leadership, intelligence-led operations, and clear performance expectations. This journey would not have been possible without the unflinching support of the President. I therefore wish to express my profound appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for the absolute trust he has reposed in my leadership and in the entire workforce of this Agency.

“Mr. President’s decision to extend our mandate is a call to more work. We assure him, and indeed all Nigerians, that the successes of the past five years are merely a foundation. In this second tenure, we will escalate the war against drug abuse and trafficking to new heights of efficiency and results”, he stated.

Addressing the officers, men and women of the Agency, Marwa said “the next phase of our operations demands even more grit and more tactical sophistication. We will not rest until every drug baron is behind bars, every trafficker is intercepted, every mule is caught, and every single gram of illicit drug is removed from our streets and communities.

“There is no room for complacency. We must remain proactive, intelligence-led, and ruthless in our pursuit of those who seek to destroy our youth and our national security.

Let me be clear: the objective of this Agency remains the total disruption of drug trafficking and the protection of our communities. The expectation is sustained pressure until every drug baron, trafficker, courier, and every gram of illicit drugs is taken out of our streets and communities. There will be no retreat and no complacency.”

The 11th CCEO Awards honored gallant personnel who have demonstrated exceptional courage and integrity in the line of duty. Marwa charged the awardees to see their plaques and certificates as reminders that their hard work is valued, while urging the rest of the force to find inspiration in their achievements.

“As we are all aware, the Commands Awards and Commendations is an internal reward mechanism that comes after our bi-annual appraisal. It is enshrined in our corporate culture and acts as a booster to individual and collective commitment to the attainment of organisational goals. I believe that everyone in this organisation is in accord that we now have a sense of urgency towards our assignment.

“There is no gainsaying that our dedication to duty has been the driving force behind our good performance; at the same time, it is also not an exaggeration to say that our good performance is catalysed by motivation. As proven right by events in the past five years, management’s decision to deploy multipronged motivational mechanism to improve the organisation’s work ethic is part of the recipe for the resurgence of the Agency and the resultant spectacular performance. On that score, management is committed to doing everything possible to improve productivity on the job. Part of that effort is why we are here today.”

He equally acknowledged the critical role of international partners, sister agencies, civil society, and the media in the successes recorded so far, calling for even deeper strategic partnerships in the years ahead to protect the future of Nigerian children.

Femi Babafemi
Director, Media & Advocacy
NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja
Tuesday, 20th January 2026

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