The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a Brazil-based businessman and two persons living with disabilities (PWDs) among several suspects intercepted in a nationwide crackdown on illicit drug trafficking.
In one of the most striking cases, a 41-year-old businessman based in São Paulo, Brazil, Abugu Oliver Ikechukwu, was arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, for allegedly importing 6.10 kilograms of liquid cocaine concealed in clothing items.
According to a statement issued on Sunday, June 14, 2026, by the NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the suspect was intercepted on Thursday, June 11, upon arrival from Brazil via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, aboard an Ethiopian Airlines flight.
A search of his luggage reportedly uncovered 14 shirts and towels impregnated with liquid cocaine, dried and neatly ironed to evade detection.
In his statement, Abugu said he had lived in Brazil for over 14 years, where he runs an African restaurant. He claimed he travelled to Nigeria to visit his wife and purchase food items in bulk for his business.
In separate operations, NDLEA operatives also arrested two persons living with disabilities in Abia and Rivers States over alleged involvement in drug trafficking.
In Abia State, 60-year-old Chidimma Sunday was arrested with 1.8 kilograms of skunk after being apprehended by a local vigilante group in Umuna Autonomous Community, Isialangwa North Local Government Area, before being handed over to NDLEA operatives on June 10.
In Rivers State, 28-year-old Abubakar Usman was arrested at Rumuokoro, Port Harcourt, on June 9, with multiple illicit substances including 400 grams of skunk, five grams of methamphetamine, 100 grams of tramadol, five grams of swinol, and 18 grams of diazepam.
The arrests have drawn attention to the widening profile of individuals allegedly involved in drug trafficking networks across the country.
NDLEA operatives also carried out several coordinated raids and interceptions nationwide within the week.
In Delta State, 36-year-old Onya Jude was arrested at Ogwashi-Uku in Aniocha South Local Government Area after five gas cylinders used to conceal 2.8 kilograms of Loud, a strong strain of cannabis, were discovered in his possession.
In Gombe State, two suspected dealers, Jamilu Idris (a.k.a. “Jama”) and Aminu Abdullahi (a.k.a. “Momo”), were arrested at Kasuwan Katako area with 2.738 kilograms of skunk.
In Kano State, Ngozi Gaius, 39, was intercepted along the Zaria–Kano Road with 6,000 pills of tramadol 225mg.
In Kwara State, operatives stopped Nasiru Hamza, 47, and Muhammad Sani, 38, along Bode Saadu Road while conveying 600 compressed blocks of skunk weighing 304 kilograms in a Toyota Jeep with registration number PJHR 783.
In Taraba State, NDLEA officers acting on intelligence raided a warehouse belonging to Ali Adamu, 45, in Maihula Village, Bali Local Government Area, recovering 63 jumbo bags of cannabis sativa weighing 1,121.5 kilograms.
On the same day, operatives in the Federal Capital Territory arrested Emmanuel Nnadi, 46, along the Gwagwalada Expressway with large quantities of illicit drugs including 30,400 pills of tramadol, 750 pregabalin tablets, 200 pills of Molly, and 592 bottles of codeine-based syrup.
In Lagos, a massive 1,102 kilograms of Ghana Loud was recovered near the Alaba International Market area of Ojo during another coordinated operation.
Beyond enforcement operations, the NDLEA also intensified its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaign across schools, worship centres, and communities nationwide, engaging students, traditional rulers, and community leaders in anti-drug advocacy.
NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd.), commended officers across all commands for their sustained efforts in drug supply reduction and public sensitisation, urging them to maintain the momentum in the ongoing national anti-narcotics campaign.
The agency said the arrests and seizures reflect its continued resolve to dismantle drug trafficking networks while expanding awareness efforts across communities in Nigeria.
