Nwobodo Chidiebere busted again as NDLEA uncovers massive drug network across Nigeria

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has recorded a major breakthrough in its ongoing war against illicit drugs with the arrest of a previously convicted trafficker and several other suspects linked to an international cocaine trafficking attempt, alongside large-scale seizures of cannabis and opioids across multiple states.

At the centre of the latest airport interception is Nwobodo Chidiebere Basil, a notorious drug trafficker who had only recently completed a sentence for methamphetamine trafficking before returning to the same criminal trade.

NDLEA operatives at the export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, on Saturday, December 20, intercepted 75 parcels of cocaine weighing 1.50 kilograms, ingeniously concealed inside factory-sealed sachets of cold-water starch and packaged for export to the United Kingdom.

Three cargo handlers—Jubrin Firdausi Hassana, Kuku Daniel Oluwasegun, and Igwe Chioma Jane—were immediately arrested at the airport while attempting to process the consignment for shipment. Subsequent investigations uncovered Basil as the mastermind behind the operation.

The 37-year-old suspect was tracked and arrested the following day, Sunday, December 21, at a popular relaxation centre in Ikeja, Lagos, where he had reportedly gone on a date with his girlfriend, unaware that NDLEA operatives were closing in on him.

Checks into the agency’s criminal records revealed that Basil was arrested in May 2023 over the seizure of 30.10 kilograms of methamphetamine concealed in powdered custard tins as part of a consolidated cargo also bound for the UK through the Lagos airport.

He was arraigned before the Federal High Court in Lagos under charge number FHC/L/337C/2023, convicted, and sentenced to five years imprisonment with an option of a ₦7 million fine, alongside one month of community service, effective December 4, 2023. After paying the fine, Basil reportedly resumed drug trafficking activities, leading to his latest arrest.

Massive Cannabis Destruction, Seizures Across States

Beyond Lagos, NDLEA operations during the week yielded staggering quantities of illicit drugs nationwide.

In Ekiti State, operatives on Monday, December 22, stormed Ara Forest in Ara-Ekiti, where they uncovered and destroyed tons of skunk, a potent strain of cannabis. Wooden warehouses used for storage were also set ablaze, while 638 kilograms of the substance were recovered during the raid.

In Edo State, NDLEA patrol teams intercepted three Toyota Camry vehicles along the Igara–Auchi Road on the same day, recovering 1,205 blocks of compressed cannabis sativa weighing 883.1 kilograms.

Similarly, in Cross River State, coordinated raids carried out on Sunday, December 21, at Agoi-Ibami community in Yakurr Local Government Area, led to the arrest of three suspects and the seizure of large quantities of skunk. Those arrested include Freedom Jonah Akpama (27) with 671kg, David Itam David (30) with 89kg, and Nelson Arikpo Osam (26) with 148kg.

Another significant arrest was made along the Abaji–Abuja Expressway on Monday, December 22, where NDLEA officers apprehended Joy Oisamaye, a 42-year-old woman found with 38kg of skunk while travelling from Otua in Owan East Local Government Area of Edo State.

Lagos, Taraba, Gombe Record Key Arrests

In Lagos, NDLEA operatives arrested Ajoke Dauda, a female suspect, with 45.5kg of skunk on Christmas Day, Thursday, December 25, at Agbara along the Badagry Expressway. A day earlier, Oluwasegun Felix was nabbed with 18.5kg of the same substance at Itoga, Badagry.

Further north in Taraba State, NDLEA officers in the Takum area arrested Emmanuel Danladi (39) and John Onoja (41) on separate days—December 24 and 23 respectively—with a combined 48kg of cannabis.

In Gombe State, operatives intercepted a 65-year-old driver, Sada’u Mohammed, along the Gombe–Biu Highway while conveying 300 ampoules of pentazocine injection, 27,900 tablets of tramadol, and other controlled opioids en route to Biu in Borno State.

Wanted ‘Loud’ Kingpin Nabbed in Apapa

Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives also arrested Ignatius Egbochie, popularly known as “Brown”, a 47-year-old businessman wanted in connection with the seizure of 56 parcels of “Loud” cannabis weighing 26 kilograms at the Tincan Island Seaport, Lagos.

The drugs were intercepted on December 10 during a joint container examination involving NDLEA, the Nigeria Customs Service, and other security agencies. A follow-up intelligence-led operation on December 19 led to Egbochie’s arrest in the Apapa area of Lagos.

WADA Sensitisation Continues Nationwide

In addition to enforcement operations, NDLEA intensified its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaign across the country over the past week.

Enlightenment programmes were held in schools, worship centres, workplaces and communities, including lectures for students and staff of Destiny Child Academy, Nkpor, Anambra State, during their holiday skills acquisition programme. Similar outreach sessions were conducted for women and teachers in Katsina State, as well as youths in Odokoro-Gbede, Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, among others.

Commending officers involved in the operations across MMIA Lagos, Tincan, Seme, Ekiti, Edo, Cross River, FCT, Gombe and Taraba Commands, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), praised their dedication and professionalism.

He urged personnel nationwide to remain vigilant throughout the festive season and beyond, while maintaining the highest standards of conduct in the agency’s ongoing fight against drug trafficking and abuse.