Nigeria’s National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has made several major seizures in a sweeping crackdown on insecurity and drug trafficking, intercepting 942 explosives and over ₦3.4 billion worth of narcotics in operations spanning multiple states.
On the Kaduna–Zaria expressway, NDLEA operatives arrested Nura Sani Muhammad, also known as Nura Hariji, while he was transporting nearly 1,000 explosive devices in a commercial vehicle. Authorities say the suspect was traveling from Nasarawa State to Zamfara, a region plagued by banditry and armed insurgency. Officials believe the explosives were intended for use in criminal or terrorist activity.
In a separate nationwide sweep, NDLEA officers seized a massive consignment of opioids—including 3.5 million tramadol pills and 163,000 bottles of codeine syrup—during coordinated raids in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and Lagos. The total street value of the narcotics is estimated at ₦3.4 billion (approx. $2.3 million). These powerful synthetic drugs are widely abused in Nigeria and contribute to rising rates of addiction and organized crime.
At Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos, NDLEA agents also intercepted 42 parcels of Canadian Loud, a high-grade strain of cannabis weighing 20kg. The drugs were concealed in packages labeled as everyday food items such as Milo, chocolate, white kidney beans, and red kidney beans. The consignment had arrived via British Airways from Canada, and three individuals, including the intended recipient, were arrested in connection with the smuggling attempt.
These developments mark a significant milestone in Nigeria’s fight against trafficking and terrorism. NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Retd.) praised the agency’s operatives for their vigilance, reaffirming the agency’s commitment to disrupting criminal networks fueling violence and drug abuse across the country.
