NDLEA intercepts cocaine hidden in dry fish, seizes opioids in UK-bound shipments

By Zainab Uzomah|Abuja

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted a large consignment of cocaine concealed in the heads of imported dry stock fish and recovered other illicit drugs, including fentanyl and methamphetamine, from export-bound shipments, as enforcement operations intensified across several states.

In a statement signed by the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, and released to the press, the NDLEA said the cocaine seizure followed intelligence on a transnational drug syndicate, leading to a coordinated operation by its Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Strategic Command in Lagos on 19 March 2026.

During the operation in Ojo area of Lagos, operatives arrested a suspected kingpin, 36-year-old Akputa Dickson Ejike, found in possession of three jumbo bags. A search revealed 237 wraps ofcocaine, weighing 5.80 kilograms, concealed in the heads of imported dry fish, locally known as “Okporoko.” The consignment was reportedly destined for Delhi, India.

In a separate operation on 25 March, NDLEA officers of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation (DOGI) intercepted two consignments bound for the United Kingdom at a Lagos courier firm. One shipment, originating from Cotonou in Benin Republic, contained 1.9 kilograms of methamphetamine hidden in automobile filters, while another parcel held 40 ampoules of morphine sulphate and nine ampoules of fentanyl.

Further operations led to the arrest of a suspected drug trafficker, Omolade Abigail Jolayemi, 46, also known as “Iya Ghana,” at her residence in Yaba, Lagos, on 26 March. She was arrested alongside a sales assistant, Sarah Zainab Agbabiaka, 31, with135 blocks of cannabis, weighing 76.30 kilograms. Authorities said Jolayemi operated a cross-border drug distribution network between Nigeria and Ghana under the cover of a textile business.

On the same day, operatives arrested another suspect, Anayo Lucky Ohabiro, 39, in Surulere, Lagos, recovering 78 blocks of cannabis weighing 41 kilograms.

In Ekiti State, NDLEA operatives arrested an 80-year-old suspect, Oke Samuel, during a raid in Efon-Alaaye, recovering 2.2 kilograms of cannabis and small quantities of methamphetamine. In neighbouring Ondo State, officers seized 894.72 kilograms of cannabis from a suspect, Enuwa Kehinde Kingsley, 37, during a raid on an uncompleted building in Ogbese.

In Benue State, 116.7 kilograms of cannabis were recovered from a suspect, Saater Nyam, 35, during a raid in Guma Local Government Area, while in Edo State, operatives uncovered a warehouse in Ekpoma, leading to the arrest of a 25-year-oldsuspect, Felix Donald, and the seizure of 576.5 kilograms of cannabis and 33 bottles of codeine-based syrup.

In Taraba State, NDLEA officers intercepted a truck conveying 135 kilograms of cannabis concealed in animal feed along the Garbachede-Gombe route. Two suspects, Osama Mamuda, 21, and Auwal Umar, 22, were arrested in connection with the seizure.

The agency also said its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaign continued nationwide, targeting schools in Cross River, Adamawa, Oyo, Kano and Lagos states.

NDLEA Chairman, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd), commended officers across the affected commands for the arrests and seizures, urging sustained efforts to balance drug supply reduction with demand reduction initiatives.