Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have dismantled a drug trafficking syndicate after a three-week targeted operation.
The agency uncovered cocaine hidden in tins of palm kernel oil meant for export to the United Kingdom. Officers also arrested the group’s kingpin in Lagos.
Cocaine Hidden in Palm Kernel Oil Cans
The operation began on March 11, 2026, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.
NDLEA officers intercepted 3.10 kilograms of cocaine at the export shed. The traffickers hid the drug inside tins of palm kernel extract.
Officers arrested two suspects, Idris Olayiwola Amoo and Akinlami Akinsoji Adedoyin, who handled the shipment.
Sting Operation Leads to Kingpin
NDLEA operatives carried out a follow-up sting operation on April 2. They arrested the sender, Ezemuwo Joel, who used a fake identity.
Investigators traced the operation to the syndicate leader, King Arinze, 52. Officers arrested him at his hideout in Isolo, Lagos.
They later raided his warehouse in Bucknor, Isolo.
Warehouse Raid Uncovers Tools and Supplies
At the warehouse, operatives recovered:
- 886 tins prepared for drug concealment
- Sealing machines and tin openers
- Paint sprays and gloves
- A small quantity of cannabis
Arinze admitted he emptied the oil from the tins to hide cocaine.
Bandits’ Drug Supplier Arrested in Borno
In a separate operation, NDLEA operatives arrested a suspected drug supplier to bandits in Borno State.
The suspect, 28-year-old Aisha Adamu, was arrested along Gamboru Ngala road on April 1. She carried 4.3 kilograms of Colorado, a strong synthetic cannabis strain.
Pastor, Wife Arrested at Seme Border
NDLEA operatives also arrested a pastor and his wife in Lagos.
The suspects are Pastor Afolabi Hodonu of the Celestial Church of Christ, Agonvi Sea Beach, and his wife, Success Hodonu.
Officers stopped them at Gbaji checkpoint near the Seme border. A search of their Honda Pilot SUV revealed 11 kilograms of skunk hidden inside the vehicle.
Their arrest followed an earlier operation at the same checkpoint. Officers had intercepted a fake security agent transporting 24.5 kilograms of skunk.
Major Drug Seizures Across States
NDLEA operations across the country led to more arrests and seizures:
- Adamawa: Officers intercepted a truck carrying 48,000 tramadol pills and arrested two suspects.
- Osun: A 60-year-old suspect was caught with 15kg of skunk in Osogbo.
- Ondo: Operatives raided a forest in Akure and recovered 351kg of skunk.
- Benue: Officers seized 28,600 tramadol capsules from a suspect.
- Edo: A warehouse raid uncovered 1,378kg of skunk.
- Oyo: A drug dealer was arrested after using her 11-year-old daughter to deliver drugs. Officers recovered 45.6kg of skunk.
NDLEA Expands Anti-Drug Campaign
The agency also continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign in schools nationwide.
Officials visited schools in Oyo, Lagos, Kano, Anambra, and Zamfara to educate students on the dangers of drug abuse.
Marwa Commends Officers
NDLEA Chairman, Mohamed Buba Marwa, praised officers across multiple commands for the successful operations.
He said the arrests show the agency’s growing intelligence strength.
“These operations show our commitment to cutting off drug supply chains. We will track traffickers no matter how they hide,” he said.
