Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a previously convicted drug trafficker and three others over an attempt to smuggle cocaine concealed in sachets of liquid starch to the United Kingdom, even as the Agency recorded massive seizures of cannabis and opioids across several states.
The suspect, Nwobodo Chidiebere Basil, was arrested following the interception of 75 parcels of cocaine weighing 1.50 kilograms hidden in factory-sealed sachets of cold-water starch at the export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos.
Head, Media and Advocacy of NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, said three cargo agents — Jubrin Firdausi Hassana, Kuku Daniel Oluwasegun and Igwe Chioma Jane — were initially arrested on Saturday, December 20, 2025, while attempting to export the consignment to the UK.
According to him, further investigations identified 37-year-old Nwobodo as the mastermind behind the operation. He was subsequently arrested on Sunday, December 21, at a relaxation centre in Ikeja.
Checks on the Agency’s criminal database revealed that Nwobodo was previously arrested in May 2023 over the seizure of 30.10 kilograms of methamphetamine concealed in powdered custard containers at the Lagos airport. He was convicted by a Federal High Court and sentenced to five years’ imprisonment with an option of a ₦7 million fine, alongside one month of community service. He reportedly paid the fine and returned to drug trafficking shortly after his release.
In other operations, NDLEA operatives on Monday, December 22, set ablaze tons of skunk, a strain of cannabis, and wooden warehouses at Ara forest in Ara-Ekiti, Ekiti State, where 638 kilograms of the substance were also recovered.
In Edo State, officers intercepted three Toyota Camry vehicles along the Igara–Auchi Road on December 22, recovering 1,205 blocks of compressed cannabis sativa weighing 883.1 kilograms.
In Cross River State, raids conducted at Agoi-Ibami community in Yakurr Local Government Area on Sunday, December 21, led to the arrest of three suspects — Freedom Jonah Akpama (27), David Itam David (30) and Nelson Arikpo Osam (26) — with a combined seizure of over 900 kilograms of skunk.
NDLEA operatives also arrested a 42-year-old woman, Joy Oisamaye, with 38 kilograms of skunk along the Abaji–Abuja Expressway on December 22 while travelling from Edo State.
In Lagos, a female suspect, Ajoke Dauda, was arrested on Christmas Day at Agbara along the Badagry Expressway with 45.5 kilograms of skunk, while another suspect, Oluwasegun Felix, was apprehended a day earlier at Itoga, Badagry, with 18.5 kilograms of the substance.
Similarly, two suspects, Emmanuel Danladi (39) and John Onoja (41), were arrested in the Takum area of Taraba State with a total of 48 kilograms of cannabis between December 23 and 24.
In Gombe State, a 65-year-old driver, Sada’u Mohammed, was arrested along the Gombe–Biu Highway with 300 ampoules of pentazocine injection, 27,900 pills of tramadol and other opioids, while travelling to Borno State.
Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives have arrested a wanted businessman, Ignatius Egbochie, also known as “Brown,” in connection with the seizure of 56 parcels of Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, weighing 26 kilograms at the Tincan Seaport, Lagos. The drugs were seized during a joint examination of a container on December 10, while Egbochie was apprehended in Apapa on December 19.
Across the country, the Agency also sustained its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaigns in schools, religious centres, workplaces and communities, targeting youths, women and other vulnerable groups.
Commending officers involved in the arrests and seizures nationwide, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), praised their dedication and urged them to remain vigilant throughout the festive season and beyond, while maintaining the highest standards of professionalism in drug control operations.
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