…as NDLEA Raids Yield 3,476kg of Cannabis, Over 645,000 Opioid Pills Nationwide
After months on the run, operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested the founder and General Overseer of The Turn of Mercy Church, Prophet Adefolusho Aanu Olasele, also known as Abbas Ajakaiye, for allegedly masterminding multiple shipments of illicit drugs into Nigeria.
A statement by the Director, Media & Advocacy of NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, said “the cleric was apprehended on Sunday, 3rd August 2025, at his church located along Okun Ajah, Ogombo Road, Lekki, Lagos. NDLEA officers reportedly waited outside from morning until the conclusion of the Sunday worship service in the evening before moving in as he stepped out of the premises.
“The arrest followed months of surveillance after he allegedly evaded capture twice and fled to Ghana in June. NDLEA linked him to two major seizures of ‘Ghana Loud,’ a strain of cannabis. The first, weighing 200kg, was intercepted at Okun Ajah beach on 4th June 2025. Another 700kg consignment was later recovered from his delivery van on 6th July 2025.
“In his statement to investigators, Prophet Olasele admitted ferrying the drugs via waterways from Ghana into Nigeria, adding that he had sought refuge in the neighbouring country after twice escaping arrest.
“In a separate operation in Lagos on Thursday, 7th August, NDLEA operatives raided an apartment at Kishi House, 11 Layi Ajayi Bembe Street, Parkview Estate, Ikoyi. The raid led to the arrest of Benjamin Udo Ukoh and the recovery of 32 pouches of Canadian Loud weighing 15.63kg.
“In Nasarawa State, NDLEA operatives seized 3,093kg of skunk from three suspects — Emmanuel Asoquo Johnny, 51; Okem Raphael, 33; and Chekwube Odo, 25 — at New Karu on Saturday, 9th August.
“In Kano State, 29-year-old Nura Yahaya was caught with 639 blocks of skunk weighing 359kg in Geza, Kumbotso, on Friday, 8th August. Earlier, on Wednesday, 6th August, Umar Adamu Umar, 27, was arrested with 9kg of Colorado, a synthetic cannabis strain, along Zaria-Kano road.
“Another interdiction in Kano saw the recovery of 20,000 tramadol pills and 200 ampoules of diazepam injection from Usman Musa, 30, at Gadar Tamburawa on Friday, 8th August.
In Gombe State, a raid at an uncompleted building in Tudun Wadan Pantami on Friday, 8th August, led to the seizure of 550,266 opioid pills, mainly tramadol, and the arrest of suspect Usama Isah. The following day, Saturday, 9th August, Ibrahim Adamu, 23, was intercepted along Potiskum Road, Bajoga, with 50,000 capsules of tramadol.
In Edo State, NDLEA operatives intercepted a white Toyota Hiace bus (registration number YAB 5522 K) coming from Onitsha, Anambra State, and heading to Isanlu, Kogi State, at Ewu junction on Wednesday, 6th August. A search of the vehicle led to the discovery of 23,940 tramadol capsules, 1,100 tramadol tablets, and 400 ampoules of pentazocine injection. The driver, Taiye Jethro, was arrested.
Meanwhile, NDLEA commands and formations nationwide continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation drives, reaching schools, worship centres, workplaces, and communities. In the past week, activities included lectures for students of Mind City College, Saki, Oyo State; Gwagwarwa Primary School, Nasarawa LGA, Kano; officers of the Nigerian Army 241 Recce Model Battalion, Nguru, Yobe State; and members of the Engine Grinders Association, Gboko, Benue State. The Ekiti State command visited the Nigerian Correctional Service in Ado Ekiti, while the Anambra State command paid an advocacy visit to the Speaker of the State House of Assembly.
Commending the officers and men involved in the arrests and seizures, NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), urged them to continue with the ongoing balanced approach to the drug control efforts of the Agency.”
