…… As NDLEA arrests dispatch riders distributing illicit drugs in Abuja, nabs businesswoman behind cocaine in lipsticks, recovers opioids in footwear at Maiduguri airport

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted consignments of cocaine and tramadol 225mg concealed in 71 vehicle side mirrors being sent to Libreville, Gabon, through the export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Ikeja, Lagos, with not less than three suspects linked to the cargo already arrested in follow-up operations.

According to a press release on Sunday, 3rd August 2025, signed by the NDLEA Director of Media & Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the first batch of the consignment, consisting of 57,420 pills of tramadol 225mg and 57 pellets of cocaine weighing 1.60 kg, was intercepted in a cargo going to Gabon on Air Côte d’Ivoire on Saturday, 19th July 2025. A popular cargo agent, Ihekweme Osinachi Benedict, handling the shipment, was immediately arrested, after which further investigation led to the arrest of another suspect, Uzochukwu Godspower Chukwurah, on Sunday, 20th July.

Eleven parcels of cocaine with a total weight of 1 kg were later recovered from four additional side mirrors being prepared for export, found in the home of Uzochukwu on Monday, 21st July, bringing the total number of parcels of cocaine to 68, weighing 2.60 kilograms.

In a related development, NDLEA operatives on Friday, 1st August, arrested a businesswoman, Mrs. Nwafor Roseann Nneka, at her shop within the Trade Fair Complex, Ojo, Lagos, following the interception of 100 grams of cocaine and 300 grams of phenacetine, a cutting agent, concealed in ladies’ lipsticks going to Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, through the export shed of the Lagos airport on 10th July 2025.

Two cargo agents linked to the shipment were arrested earlier before the eventual arrest of Nneka who runs the criminal trade as a family business with her husband Remigus Nwafor, currently on the run. In her statement, Mrs. Nwafor admitted she bought the lipsticks used to conceal the illicit drugs while her husband handled the actual concealment.

In Abuja, the nation’s Federal Capital Territory, NDLEA operatives conducting intelligence-led stop and search operations in the Gwarimpa, Jahi, and Galadimawa areas of the FCT on Wednesday, 30th July, arrested three dispatch riders: Sabo Sule, 24; Samuel Nnamdi, 28; and Idris Jibrin, 28, for distributing illicit substances around the city. A total of 149.8 grams of Canadian Loud, a strong strain of cannabis, were recovered from them. Two other suspects, Aliyu Abubakar, 25; and Adekunle Agbabiaka, 30, were arrested along the Abaji-Gwagwalada expressway with 91.1kg of skunk, a strain of cannabis, on Saturday, 2nd August.

In Lagos, NDLEA officers acting on intelligence on Saturday 2nd August arrested Joseph Michael with 3.3 kilograms of Colorado, a synthetic strain of cannabis in Mushin while Ibrahim Sulaiman was nabbed in Iwaya area of Yaba with 16.5 litres of skuchies on Friday 1st August.

No fewer than 100,000 pills of tramadol capsules were seized from a suspect, Hussein Yusuf, 37, at an NDLEA checkpoint along Vandeikya-Ogoja road in Benue state on Friday 1st August, while operatives in Edo state same day raided a warehouse in Ekpoma where a suspect William Alabi, 44, was arrested and 233.5kg skunk recovered.

In Borno state, NDLEA operatives at the arrival hall of the Muhammadu Buhari International Airport (MBIAM) Maiduguri on Friday 1st August intercepted a consignment of 160 pills of tramadol concealed in footwears by a 38-year-old passenger, Umar Aminu who was promptly arrested.

While NDLEA operatives in Ogun state on Friday 1st August raided the Oja Odan area and arrested a female suspect, Yahaya Aminat Seyi, with 7, 218 pills of opioids mainly tramadol, their counterparts in Oyo state nabbed Oladeji Saka, 54, with 77.5 kilograms of skunk at Asanike, Ibadan, just as another suspect Benson Izah, 40, was arrested in Abraka, Delta state
with 12.5kg skunk, 1kg tramadol and 14.4litres of codeine.

In Bayelsa state, NDLEA officers on Friday 1st August arrested 52-year-old Chief Emeka Opara and Onuoha Chidinma, 25, along Tantua road, Amassoma where a total of 41,705 tramadol capsules, among other assorted opioids were recovered from their shop and residence, while a suspect Bashir Gambo, 30, was nabbed at Yar Yasa town, Tudun Wada LGA, Kano state, with 61kg skunk.

Two suspects: Kabiru Ayinde, 40; and Roqeeb Adekanmbi, 25, were on Monday 28th July arrested at Ile-Ogbo area of Iwo town, Osun state, where 90kg skunk, 36.3grams of methamphetamine, a Toyota bus marked SMK 755 YF and ₦228,200.00 cash exhibit were recovered from them.

In like manner, Commands and formations of the Agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization activities to schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others in the past week. These include: WADA enlightenment lecture to students and staff of Ciroma Ibrahim Islamiyya School, Potiskum, Yobe; Sultan Maccido Institute for Qur’an and General Studies, Wamakko, Sokoto; metro drivers of Borno Express Transport Services, Maiduguri, Borno state; and worshippers at Seventh Day Adventist Church, Abakpa Nike, Enugu state, while the Osun State command of NDLEA paid a WADA advocacy visit to Oluwo of Iwo land, His Imperial Majesty Oba Abdurasheed Adewale Akanbi.

While commending the officers and men of the MMIA, MBIAM, FCT, Lagos, Edo, Oyo, Delta, Bayelsa, Benue, Kano and Osun Commands for the arrests, seizures and their dexterity, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) enjoined them and their colleagues across the country to continue with the ongoing balanced approach to the drug control efforts of the Agency.

The Ndigbo Young Professionals (NYP) have strongly dismissed recent claims by African Action Congress (AAC) Presidential Candidate, Mr. Omoyele Sowore, alleging the existence of a promotion scandal within the Nigeria Police Force.

In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Ambassador Chinonso Chukwuemeka, the NYP described Sowore’s assertions as “misleading and unsubstantiated,” noting that the latest promotion exercise carried out under the leadership of Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun was transparent and based on merit.

“There is no such scandal within the Nigeria Police Force as being falsely portrayed,” the statement read. “The recent promotion exercise followed due process, institutional guidelines, and merit-based evaluations in accordance with the established norms and procedures of the Police Service Commission.”

The group, a non-partisan and development-driven body of young Igbo professionals, criticised attempts to malign the integrity of security institutions without verifiable evidence, warning that such tactics only serve to demoralise diligent officers and mislead the public.

“We frown at any effort aimed at politicising the affairs of the Nigeria Police Force or spreading propaganda capable of eroding public trust in our national security framework,” the group said.

The NYP urged Mr. Sowore to embrace responsible civic engagement by grounding his criticisms in facts, not assumptions. It reaffirmed its commitment to institutional reforms and transparency in public service while calling on citizens to resist the spread of misinformation that could undermine national unity and public morale.

The statement concluded with a reaffirmation of support for officers who continue to serve the country with integrity and professionalism.

The South West Youth Alliance (SWYA) has strongly condemned what it described as “malicious and unfounded” allegations by activist and publisher, Mr. Omoyele Sowore, following his recent claims tagging senior female police officer, Bukola Kuti, as the “mistress” of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.

In a statement issued on Saturday by its National Publicity Director, Adenike Ajanlekoko, the youth group described Sowore’s claims as “a disgraceful attempt to weaponise gender, smear reputations, and distract from the professional progress of competent officers within the Nigeria Police Force.”

“Bukola Kuti is a decorated, career-driven officer whose track record speaks of merit, dedication, and integrity,” the group said. “Attempts to reduce her accomplishments to salacious gossip reflect nothing but the desperation and moral bankruptcy of those who fear the rise of capable women in leadership.”

The group expressed deep disappointment that Sowore, who once championed causes of justice and equity, would stoop to “peddling sexist narratives and character assassination” as a strategy for political relevance.

SWYA warned that continued defamatory attacks against police officers, particularly high-achieving women, would not be tolerated. “We caution Mr. Sowore to desist from further attempts to blackmail, intimidate, or defame innocent officers. His actions are a gross violation of the principles of human dignity and a threat to public morality and gender equality.”

The Alliance urged the public to disregard what it termed “vile fabrications,” reaffirming its support for ongoing reforms and professional development within the Nigeria Police Force.

“We will not hesitate to seek legal redress if these reckless attacks persist. Enough is enough,” the statement concluded.

The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, has strongly refuted recent reports by Sahara Reporters alleging irregularities in the promotion of senior police officers, describing the claims as false, misleading, and a calculated attempt to discredit the Force’s leadership and reform-driven agenda.

According to Adejobi, the publication by Sahara Reporters, owned by Mr. Omoyele Sowore, continues a pattern of targeted attacks laced with baseless insinuations, particularly concerning the recent promotions approved by the Police Service Commission.

He emphasised that the promotions in question were not products of favouritism or secretive arrangements as alleged, but stemmed from a merit-based policy instituted by the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM. The IGP’s commitment to professionalism and officer welfare has seen the creation of performance-driven initiatives such as the Nigeria Police Force Awards and Commendations and the IGP’s Recognitions Scheme.

“These schemes were designed to identify and reward officers who demonstrate exceptional courage, dedication, and professionalism,” the statement said. “Officers who received such recognitions in 2023 and 2024 were duly considered for accelerated promotions, following a transparent and rigorous process overseen by the Force Management Team.”

The beneficiaries of these promotions, the NPF noted, cut across various Commands and Formations nationwide, including staff officers and aides at the Force Headquarters, who had met the set criteria for recognition and advancement.

Contrary to Sahara Reporters’ claims, the Police maintained that the promotion process strictly adhered to established guidelines and due process, with no room for impropriety.

“It is unfortunate that Sahara Reporters continues to peddle sensationalism over verified facts, even resorting to circulating forged documents falsely attributed to the Police. This obsession with maligning the Force leadership raises questions about Mr. Sowore’s motives and credibility,” Adejobi said.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria police to transparency, accountability, and merit-based progression, urging the public to disregard the misleading publication and remain assured of the Force’s unwavering dedication to professionalism and national security.

In a strategic move to enhance the Nigeria Police Force’s crime-fighting capacity, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun has unveiled advanced technological tools and applications for the Force’s Technical Intelligence Unit (TIU), aimed at improving intelligence gathering, crime detection, and the timely apprehension of criminals.

According to a press release signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the IGP also ordered the commencement of intensive training programmes for TIU personnel, aligning the Unit’s capabilities with international intelligence standards. These trainings are tailored to ensure operatives are fully equipped to operate and maximise the new technologies, thereby bolstering the Force’s ability to respond to complex and evolving security challenges.

The Inspector-General emphasized that the continuous shift in global and local crime trends necessitates a dynamic and technology-driven policing approach. He noted that the deployment of advanced intelligence tools and skills has already yielded significant results, including the dismantling of a notorious arms trafficking syndicate operating across Benue, Taraba, Adamawa, and Plateau States, among other recent arrests.

“This enhancement of the Technical Intelligence Unit is a testament to our unwavering commitment to preventive policing,” the IGP stated. “We will continue to strengthen our intelligence capabilities to stay ahead of criminal elements and ensure the safety and security of all Nigerians.”

IGP Egbetokun reaffirmed the Force’s readiness to confront emerging security threats with proactive and strategic measures, assuring the public of the NPF’s determination to deliver on its mandate of safeguarding lives and property.