NDLEA nabs fleeing bandits’ drug supplier, intercepts Opioids bound for US, Canada, Sweden

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a notorious supplier of illicit drugs to bandits operating in Niger State, barely three weeks after he escaped arrest during an earlier raid on his residence.

The suspect, 33-year-old Mohammed Sani, popularly known as Gamboli, was apprehended on Thursday, December 11, 2025, at his hideout in Anguwan Fadama, Kuta, Shiroro Local Government Area, following sustained intelligence-led manhunt by NDLEA operatives.

According to the Agency, Gamboli had fled on November 20 when NDLEA officers raided his house at Anguwan Makera, Kuta, where 471.8 kilograms of skunk, a potent strain of cannabis, were recovered.

Confirming the arrest, the Director, Media and Advocacy of NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, said intelligence reports identified Gamboli as a major supplier of illicit drugs to bandits terrorising communities in Shiroro.

“Though he escaped arrest during the initial raid and went into hiding, our officers sustained the operation, and credible intelligence eventually led to his arrest at one of his drug joints,” Babafemi said.

He added that the arrest underscores the Agency’s resolve to dismantle drug supply networks fueling banditry and insecurity across the country.

Meanwhile, in Abia State, NDLEA operatives on the same day uncovered a clandestine codeine syrup manufacturing factory at Amapu Igbengwo village, Umuakpara, Osisioma Local Government Area. A total of 9,015 bottles of codeine syrup, weighing 1,152.2kg, were recovered from the illegal facility.

In a series of coordinated operations across several states, NDLEA also recorded multiple arrests and large seizures of illicit drugs.

In Enugu State, operatives arrested Ossai Emeka, 45, along the Onitsha–Enugu Ezike road with 7.2kg of skunk, while Enoje Agada, 40, was apprehended along the Enugu-Ezike–Ette road with 94.6kg of the same substance.

A raid on a notorious drug joint known as “Beere the California” at Ido, Oyo State, led to the seizure of 3.4kg skunk, 1.6kg Colorado (synthetic cannabis), and 400 grams of methamphetamine. While the owner of the joint, identified as “Idowu the killer”, is currently at large, one suspect, Ajibade Faruk, was arrested. Another operation at Idi Oro, Elekuro, Ibadan, resulted in the arrest of Olusanya Abosede, 35, and the seizure of 238.4kg of skunk.

At the Gbaji checkpoint along the Seme–Badagry road in Lagos, Bashiru Babalola, 43, and Ugunwale Ranti, 50, were arrested with 50,000 pills of tramadol (250mg). In Ogun State, NDLEA officers arrested Akinwale Makanjuola and Joseph Owolabi with 73kg of skunk at Iperu, while Wasiu Lateef was nabbed with 25kg of the substance at Oke Agbede, Imeko.

In Ondo State, operatives raided a compound in Ogbese, Akure North Local Government Area, where a 55-year-old woman, Veronica Obi, and her 29-year-old son, Bright Obi, were arrested with 1,187kg of skunk and its seeds.

Similarly, in Edo State, Ohiomah Igbafe, 44, was arrested at Uroe community, Owan East Local Government Area, with 461kg of skunk and its seeds.

In Gombe State, Muhammed Sani, also known as Sha-Mu-Sha, 50, was arrested with 40,000 capsules of tramadol at Tunfure, while two other suspects were nabbed at Ashaka Jalingo with 56kg of skunk.

Babafemi also disclosed that NDLEA operatives intercepted 907 pills of tramadol, tapentadol, cocodamol, amitriptyline and bromazepam concealed in containers of local black soap and designer wears.

The consignments, intercepted at courier companies in Lagos between December 9 and 10, were bound for the United States, Canada and Sweden.

At the Apapa seaport in Lagos, NDLEA officers, working with the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies, intercepted a container carrying 170,000 bottles of codeine syrup, weighing 23,579kg, during a joint examination on Saturday, December 13.

Commending the officers involved in the operations, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), urged personnel across all commands to sustain the Agency’s balanced approach of drug supply reduction and demand reduction.

Babafemi noted that the Agency also intensified its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaigns during the week, reaching schools, communities, workplaces and traditional institutions across several states.

“These arrests and seizures demonstrate that the Agency remains relentless in cutting off drug supply chains, combating trafficking, and protecting Nigerian communities from the devastating effects of illicit drugs,” Babafemi said.