Over 28,000kg Skunk Destroyed in Edo Forest as Nationwide Raids Yield Massive Drug Seizures.
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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has made significant breakthroughs in its ongoing war against drug trafficking, arresting a notorious drug kingpin and uncovering creative smuggling methods involving kitchen appliances and cosmetics.
At the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos, NDLEA operatives intercepted 23 parcels of Loud—a potent strain of cannabis—cleverly concealed inside microwaves imported from Thailand. Acting on intelligence, officers uncovered the illegal cargo on July 7, 2025, during a search of consolidated air freight. A suspect, Ezenwegbu Chike, was apprehended.
In a separate operation at the Lagos airport’s export shed, another consignment of cocaine hidden in women’s lipsticks was seized. The 400g stash was part of a shipment containing hair extensions and cosmetics destined for Malabo, Guinea. Authorities arrested Ezeikwelume Prince Afam, a businessman operating from the Trade Fair Complex in Lagos.
Mediaplusng.com reports that NDLEA’s Special Operations Unit arrested Okechukwu Izugha (alias Okey Omeogo) on July 9, 2025, at his wife’s shop in Ijesha Market, Lagos. Izugha had been on the run since August 2024 after being linked to a 9kg cocaine haul. His wife, Maureen Izugha, had earlier been jailed after being caught with 500g of cocaine in January 2025. The agency confirmed that Izugha’s luck ran out when he resurfaced from hiding.
In Edo State, NDLEA operatives destroyed over 28,054kg of skunk during a raid on three cannabis farms in the Ewere Uzebba forest, Owan West LGA. The operation turned violent as armed cartel members opened fire on the officers while exiting the forest. Though uninjured, an NDLEA vehicle was riddled with bullets.
On July 11, NDLEA agents intercepted 1,400 compressed blocks of Ghana Loud weighing 700kg at Okun-Ajah Beach. Two suspects—Innocent Ejidiobo and Friday Paul—were also arrested on the Ajah-Epe expressway with methamphetamine, Molly, and additional cannabis.
In Borno, two men were caught with over 28,000 pills of tramadol, pentazocine, and rohypnol.
In Gombe, over 116,000 pills of opioids were recovered from five suspects during market and road checks.
In Taraba, NDLEA seized 577,890 opioid pills hidden in a petrol tanker’s tyre compartment, arresting three suspects:
Auwal Ibrahim, Lukman Ibrahim, and Hamza Adamu.
Kogi: Sabiu Bala was arrested with 316.6kg of skunk on Okene-Lokoja expressway.
Kaduna: Haladu Suleiman was found with 58.8kg of cannabis in Ikara LGA.
Kano: NDLEA detained three men with 48.1kg of skunk at Janguza barracks.
NDLEA’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) outreach continued with sensitization sessions at schools in Cross River, Lagos, Anambra, Enugu, and Kano states. Traditional rulers in Abia also participated in awareness campaigns.
Chairman/CEO Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) lauded the dedication of NDLEA commands across the country, especially those in Lagos, Edo, Borno, Gombe, and Taraba. He emphasized the agency’s balanced focus on reducing both drug supply and demand through enforcement and education.
