The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted illicit drugs worth more than N3.4 billion in a series of operations across several states and the Federal Capital Territory, arresting a suspected fake police officer, an auto mechanic and several other suspects.
The seizures included more than 1.3 million tablets and capsules of tramadol and other opioids, about 6,000kg of cannabis, methamphetamine and other controlled substances.
The agency also intercepted 1,200 parcels of Canadian Loud, a potent strain of cannabis weighing 603.75kg and valued at N1.81 billion, at the Tin-Can Island Port in Lagos.
The NDLEA disclosed the operations in a statement issued on Sunday by its Director, Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi.
Babafemi said the Canadian Loud shipment arrived from Montreal, Canada, on September 12 and was placed under surveillance following intelligence received by the agency.
According to him, the container was subjected to a joint physical examination by NDLEA operatives, the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies on September 16.
“The search uncovered 1,200 parcels of Canadian Loud concealed inside 31 black jumbo bags loaded in two Toyota Sienna vehicles within the 40-foot container,” the statement said.
In Delta State, NDLEA operatives arrested a 49-year-old man, Innocent Ekpe, who allegedly impersonated a senior police officer to evade scrutiny at checkpoints while transporting illicit drugs.
Ekpe was arrested on September 16 along the Benin-Onitsha Expressway in Asaba with 292.48kg of skunk allegedly concealed in his silver Toyota Sienna bus.
Babafemi said preliminary investigation indicated that Ekpe allegedly paraded himself as Godwin Emeka, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, using a forged police identification card.
“The 49-year-old fake police officer, Innocent Ekpe, was arrested on Wednesday, 16th September 2026, by NDLEA operatives along the Benin-Onitsha Expressway in Asaba, Delta State, with 292.48 kilograms of skunk hidden in his silver Toyota Sienna bus,” he said.
He added that an alleged accomplice, 39-year-old Nduka Joseph, was also arrested.
In Edo State, operatives acting on intelligence raided an auto-repair workshop on Agbor Road, Benin City, where they arrested 45-year-old Matthew Ossai.
The NDLEA said 48kg of Canadian Loud and 152g of methamphetamine were recovered from the workshop, which it alleged was being used as a storage facility for illicit drugs.
In Niger State, three suspects — Bashir Usman, 20; Abubakar Nuhu, 18; and Abdulrahman Abdulwahab, 18 — were arrested along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway at Chachi, Tafa Local Government Area.
According to the agency, the suspects were allegedly found with two locally fabricated AK-47 rifles, a magazine, a locally made pistol with a magazine and nine rounds of 9mm ammunition concealed in a black travel bag.
Similarly, NDLEA operatives arrested Aminu Isyaku, 23, and Jamilu Habibu, 25, along the Abaji-Abuja Highway.
Babafemi said the suspects were allegedly found with more than 1.1 million assorted tramadol tablets and capsules, codeine syrup, methamphetamine and Exol tablets.
The drugs were allegedly concealed in eight sacks while being transported from Onitsha, Anambra State, to Mararaba, Nasarawa State.
In Lagos, 48,900 tablets of tramadol 225mg were recovered from Onyeka Ofor, who was arrested at his residence in Aguda, Surulere.
Another suspect, Luke Ugokwe, was arrested after seven cartons of cannabis weighing 59kg were intercepted at a logistics company.
The agency also arrested 43-year-old Ibrahim Hudu at Apongbo, Lagos, where 998.38kg of nitrous oxide gas was recovered.
In Gombe State, 154,480 capsules of tramadol were recovered from two suspects, Sabi’u Umar, 27, and Hassana Muhammad, 19, who were arrested at Barunde and Gombe Main Market respectively.
Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives in Imo State arrested 25-year-old Ifesinachi Godwin along the Owerri-Onitsha Road with 43.85kg of skunk.
In Ondo State, four suspects were arrested during a raid and destruction of a two-hectare cannabis farm in Ita-Ogbolu Forest.
The suspects were identified as Blessing Effiong, Saviour Peter, David Friday Sunday and Ability Peter Sunday.
The NDLEA said 48kg of dry and fresh cannabis was recovered from the farm and would be used as evidence in the prosecution of the suspects.
The agency said investigations into the various cases were ongoing.
