NDLEA Intercepts Opioids Hidden in Bread, Arrests Real Estate Agent in Nationwide Drug Bust
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has intercepted consignments of synthetic cannabis, opioids and other illicit drugs concealed in consolidated cargoes, music speakers and loaves of bread in a series of operations across several States.
The operations, which resulted in the arrest of at least seven suspects, also led to the seizure of large quantities of Colorado, cannabis, pregabalin, tramadol, diazepam, codeine syrup, pentazocine injection, flunitrazepam and MDMA, popularly known as Molly.
The NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, disclosed the seizures and arrests in a statement on Sunday, September 13, 2026, saying the agency had intensified its operations against drug trafficking networks operating through airports, motor parks, roads and other routes.
At the import shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, NDLEA operatives intercepted a UK-bound consolidated cargo containing 27 parcels of synthetic cannabis, popularly known as Colorado or Colos, weighing 32.20 kilogrammes.
A real estate agent, Abideen Jide Salami, was subsequently arrested on Wednesday, September 9, after allegedly arriving to collect a large luggage containing the illicit substance using a secret collection code reportedly relayed to him by his brother based in the United Kingdom.
The Agency said a follow-up operation connected to another UK consignment resulted in the arrest of Nurudeen Abiodun Kadiri, 44, who was allegedly designated to receive another consignment of Colorado weighing 12.25kg.
According to the NDLEA, Kadiri told investigators that the consignment had been sent to him by his brother in the UK.
The agency said, “At the import shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos, NDLEA operatives intercepted a UK-inbound consignment concealing 27 parcels of colos weighing 32.20kg, while a real estate agent, Abideen Jide Salami, who showed up with a secret collection code relayed from his UK-based brother to collect a large luggage containing the illicit substance was arrested on Wednesday, 9th September 2026.
“A follow-up operation stemming from a second UK consignment led operatives to the designated recipient of another consignment of Colorado weighing 12.25kg. The suspect, Nurudeen Abiodun Kadiri, 44, said the consignment was sent to him by his brother in the UK.”
Global Mirror News reports that the latest interceptions highlight the different methods allegedly being employed by drug trafficking networks to move illicit substances, including disguising drugs as ordinary household and commercial items.
In Lagos, operatives of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation intercepted a music speaker allegedly modified to conceal three packs of Colorado at a motor park in Maza-Maza.
The consignment was reportedly destined for Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, and eventually Liberia.
A tour agent, Ifeanyi Augustine, 41, and the alleged owner of the consignment, Obasi Ugochuckwu, 46, were arrested during a sting operation conducted at a nearby eatery.
At Iddo Motor Park in Lagos, another suspect, Ifeanyi Nwokolo Henry, was arrested on Friday, September 11, while allegedly attempting to dispatch 2.1kg of Colorado to Kano.
The nationwide operations extended to Delta State, where NDLEA operatives recorded separate seizures in Ughelli and Asaba.
The agency recovered ampoules of pentazocine injection, codeine syrup, tramadol, diazepam, flunitrazepam, also known as Hypnox, and MDMA, popularly called Molly.
Some of the drugs were reportedly concealed inside music speakers, while two suspects, Emeka Oji and Chukwuebuka Anedi, were arrested in connection with the seizures.
In Kano State, NDLEA operatives raided a location in Sabon Gari and arrested 20-year-old Saidu Adamu with 785,000 capsules of pregabalin weighing 669.425kg.
The agency also conducted a stop-and-search operation along the Zaria-Kano-Hadejia Road, where 1,700 tablets of diazepam were allegedly discovered concealed inside loaves of bread.
The drugs were reportedly being conveyed by a 28-year-old suspect identified as Habibu Sabitu.
The unusual concealment of the tablets in bread formed part of the series of methods uncovered by the NDLEA during its operations, as traffickers allegedly sought to disguise illicit drugs as ordinary consumer goods.
In Plateau State, a 51-year-old man, Chinedu Uzor, was arrested at Katako Market, Jos, with 157,100 capsules of tramadol.
Meanwhile, the agency continued its campaign against illicit cannabis cultivation in Edo State, destroying 4,832.56kg of skunk recovered from cannabis farms located in Usen Forest, Igwe-Oke Forest and Ogboha Forest.
The operations were conducted across Ovia South-West, Owan East and Owan West Local Government Areas of the state.
A 39-year-old suspect, Sunday Segun, was arrested during the operation on Friday, September 11.
In Ondo State, NDLEA operatives acting on intelligence raided a residence along Oke-Iya, Ijoka Road, Akure, on Wednesday, September 9.
The operation led to the recovery of 186kg of skunk allegedly concealed in the boot of a Toyota Avalon car with registration number ABJ 917 FV.
The drugs were recovered from a 58-year-old suspect, Paul Ogbuwala, who the agency alleged was preparing to transport the consignment to Jos for onward distribution.
Global Mirror News further reports that the NDLEA also recorded another major seizure in Kaduna State, where a female suspect, Hannah Michael, was arrested at Gonin Gora with 369.6kg of cannabis.
In Bayelsa State, four suspects, including a 70-year-old woman identified as Godwoman Gboriye, were arrested at Ovom, Yenagoa, with 110 bags of cannabis weighing 876kg.
The other suspects were identified as Motombo Silver, 44; Pere Andrew, 39; and Keme Andrew, 43.
Commenting on the operations, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), commended the officers and men involved in the seizures and arrests.
Marwa urged NDLEA personnel across the country to sustain what he described as the agency’s balanced approach to drug control.
He charged the operatives to continue targeting the various routes and channels allegedly used by drug trafficking organisations to move illicit substances into and across the country.
Marwa urged them to “continue to shut every pipeline being used by drug cartels,” including routes through airports, seaports, land borders and the hinterland where cannabis is cultivated.
He specifically commended the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation, Murtala Muhammed International Airport Command and the NDLEA Commands in Ondo, Edo, Delta, Kaduna, Plateau, Bayelsa and Kano for their roles in the successful operations.
The latest seizures come amid continued efforts by the NDLEA to disrupt the supply chain of illicit drugs in Nigeria, targeting not only traffickers and couriers but also cultivation sites, transit routes, warehouses and other points believed to be connected to the illegal drug trade.
