The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has announced a major breakthrough in Nigeria’s counter-narcotics efforts, involving the seizure of multi-billion naira drug consignments and the arrest of several high-profile suspects, including 22 Indian nationals and a notorious female kingpin.
In a statement signed by the Director Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi and made available to Channel Network Afrique, CNA, NDLEA said the crackdown was the agency’s most significant maritime operation occurred on Friday, January 2, 2026, at the GDNL terminal, Apapa Port.
According to the statement operatives intercepted the merchant vessel MV Aruna Hulya, originating from the Marshall Islands, and discovered 31.5 kilograms of cocaine concealed in “hatch 3” of the ship.
Following the discovery, the NDLEA took 22 Indian crew members into custody. The detainees include the Master of the Vessel, Sharma Shashi Bhushan, and 21 others.
In a separate international operation, the Agency’s Directorate of Operations and General Investigation (DOGI) intercepted Ketamine, Ecstasy, and Tramadol hidden inside coffee mix sachets and book parcels. These items were slated for export to Zambia and the United Kingdom via a courier firm in Lagos.
On Monday, December 29, 2025, intelligence-led operatives in Oyo State apprehended 65-year-old Fatima Ilori, widely known as “Mama Kerosine.” Identified as a major distributor in Ibadan, she was arrested alongside 35-year-old Olusanya Abosede. The raid led to the recovery of 238.4kg of skunk, a potent strain of cannabis.
Disrupting Insurgent Supply Lines
The NDLEA reported a successful hit on the logistics chains supplying illicit drugs to insurgents in the Northeast.
In Borno State, two major suppliers were arrested on January 2, 2026:
Isa Mohammed (26): Caught with 9,150 ampoules of Tramadol injection on the Maiduguri-Gamboru Ngala road. Musa Samaila (30): Apprehended with 34,000 capsules of Tramadol at the Biu market.
The crackdown extended across several other states during the New Year period:
Lagos: 400kg of skunk was recovered from a van in the Mobolaji Johnson area on New Year’s Day.
Jigawa: Bilya Ibrahim (39) was arrested with 140.8kg of compressed cannabis blocks intended for Yobe State.
Kwara: Over 238kg of skunk and 32,000 pills of Tramadol and Diazepam were seized in separate raids in Ilorin and Bode Saadu.
War Against Drug Abuse (WADA)
Beyond enforcement, the Agency continued its “War Against Drug Abuse” (WADA) campaign.
Sensitization lectures were held for students and community members in Katsina, Lagos, and Niger states to educate the public on the dangers of substance abuse.
Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, commended the various commands for their vigilance and urged them to maintain the momentum in the ongoing drug control efforts.
