The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has successfully intercepted a major drug trafficking operation in Adamawa State, with the arrest of 41-year-old Ndubuisi Udatu, a Malaysian returnee and former convict, who was caught attempting to smuggle 2,700kg of methamphetamine concealed inside music speakers. The drugs were destined for distribution in Yola, Mubi, and potentially across the border into Cameroon.
According to Femi Babafemi, NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, the suspect, also known as Richard, was arrested on April 7, 2025, during a routine check by NDLEA operatives at Namtari along the Ngurore-Yola road. He was found in possession of two large music speakers, which contained four parcels of methamphetamine, as well as N22,300 in cash.
Further investigations revealed that Udatu had returned to Nigeria after serving a prison sentence in Malaysia for drug trafficking, a crime for which he had been convicted. Babafemi stated that the suspect had resumed his illicit drug activities upon his return, planning to use the methamphetamine to further his trafficking network.
In another significant operation, NDLEA officers, in collaboration with Nigeria Customs Service personnel, intercepted a trans-border drug trafficker, 35-year-old Odoh Peter Ikechukwu, at the Nigeria-Cameroon border in Mfum, Cross River State. Ikechukwu was arrested with 8,740 ampoules of various opioids, including fentanyl, morphine, phenobarbital, pethidine, and midazolam. The seized opioids weighed a total of 395kg.
In Kano, NDLEA operatives arrested 27-year-old Aliyu Ibrahim on April 11, 2025, with 20 ATM cards and 25,600 pills of tramadol, a potent opioid. Ibrahim was apprehended in the Bachirawa area of Kano. Additionally, 48-year-old Gambo Lawan was arrested in Gwagwalada, FCT, on April 7, 2025, following the seizure of 8,960 tramadol pills.
Meanwhile, a separate operation in Niger State led to the recovery of 124 kilograms of cannabis, known as skunk, from the trunk of a Lexus car driven by 58-year-old Ademiluyi Adedapo Collins. The drugs were found along the Mokwa-Jebba road on April 11, 2025.
The NDLEA has continued its fight against the growing drug trade across the nation while also ramping up awareness efforts through the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign. In the past week, the agency has conducted sensitization programs at schools, markets, and religious centers in various states, including Anambra, Lagos, Oyo, Adamawa, and Kwara.
Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, commended the agency’s efforts and urged all NDLEA commands across the country to continue strengthening their operations against drug cartels. He emphasized that combating drug abuse is a collective effort and called for continued vigilance in both reducing drug supply and demand across Nigeria.
The arrests and seizures are a testament to the NDLEA’s commitment to fighting the global drug trafficking network and safeguarding the nation’s borders from the menace of illicit drugs.
