How NDLEA burst multibillion-naira drug syndicates across 6 states

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has smashed multiple drug syndicates operating across six states, seizing more than 14,440 kilogrammes of skunk and arresting several key suspects, including a wanted drug baron in Lagos.

The biggest haul came from the Orita-Apeje, Araromi-Okeodo forest reserve in Ife South LGA, Osun State, where operatives intercepted 11,135kg of processed skunk after days of covert surveillance on Tuesday, 11th November 2025.

NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, said two trucks, a Volvo marked WWR 29 XA and a Mercedes Benz with registration number AWK 713 YZ used to ferry the drugs were seized, while seven suspects were arrested. Those in custody include Lucky Abiodun, Julius Amos, Victor Ngbikili, Sunday Oduegwu, Ibrahim Akanni, Eze Godstime and Fred Ifeanyichukwu.

Across Edo State, operatives recovered 1,902.1kg of skunk in different operations. They also seized 184.1kg along a bush path at Oza/Igbanke in Orhionmwon Local Government Area, while 672kg was evacuated from Utese forest.

Another 494kg was recovered from a Mercedes Benz vehicle leading to the arrest of 45-year-old Felix Edah, just as 552kg found in another Mercedes Benz resulted in the arrest of 51-year-old Lucky Abagha.

In Ogun State, four suspects identified as Micheal Okoh, Offor Agada, Raphael Nkemjika and Nwabueze Franklin were arrested along the Ijebu-Ode expressway with 68kg of skunk and 3.15kg of methamphetamine.

In Taraba, 50-year-old Danjuma Tukura was nabbed with 172kg, while 24-year-old Wisdom Titus was caught with 84kg in Takum. Similarly, in Adamawa, operatives seized 396,000 tramadol capsules from 50-year-old Ahmed Isyaku Nda at the Aliyu Mustapha International Airport, Yola.

Another 785kg was evacuated from a warehouse in Asob Maraba Karu, Nasarawa State, belonging to a fleeing drug dealer. In Lagos, two suspects—Jamiu Kunle Kardoso and Oriyomi Waliu—were arrested in Surulere with 65.15kg of Canadian Loud, while Taofeek Moraina was caught with 141kg of Ghana Loud at Otto, Oyingbo.

In Kwara State, a truck with registration number T-0262KT was intercepted on the Ilorin–Jebba expressway carrying 197 blocks of skunk weighing 78.565kg and 155 cartons of rubber solution. The driver, Umar Yakubu, was arrested. Another bus was stopped at Eiyenkonrin, Ilorin, with 20 blocks of skunk concealed inside a 50-litre jerry can, and the driver, Ibrahim Bello, was taken into custody.

In one of the week’s biggest breakthroughs, NDLEA’s Special Operations Unit arrested notorious drug kingpin, Frank Chijioke Ibemesi, popularly known as Chisco Bee, at a hotel in Isolo, Lagos. Ibemesi, 42, who runs Franc CJ Ibemesi Nig Ltd, was picked up at Daisy Garden Hotel in a pre-dawn raid on Saturday, 15th November. A search of his warehouse at 7 Pius Ezeobi Street, Isolo, led to the recovery of 1,762.8kg of Loud, packed in 42 jumbo bags and four cartons. Foreign currencies found at the scene include $11,600, £2,000, €2,200 and 50 Canadian dollars.