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….20.5kg Cocaine Concealed in Cups, Creams, Gels Uncovered; 24,897kg Skunk Destroyed in Edo, Osun Forests

In a sweeping, intelligence-led operation spanning over three weeks, operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have dismantled two major transnational cocaine trafficking cartels operating out of Lagos, foiling six UK-bound shipments and arresting six key members, including the kingpin, Alhaji Hammed Taofeek Ode.

According to a statement signed by Femi Babafemi, Director of Media and Advocacy at NDLEA Headquarters, the operations led to the interception of 20.5 kilograms of cocaine ingeniously concealed in the walls of stainless cups, body cream, and hair gel containers.

The breakthrough also culminated in the destruction of 24,897 kilograms of skunk (cannabis) in Edo and Osun forests, marking one of the agency’s most successful coordinated drug control offensives in recent times.

How the Cocaine Cartels Were Busted

The NDLEA’s breakthrough began on September 16, 2025, when operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, intercepted 174 parcels of cocaine weighing 13.40 kilograms, hidden in cocoa butter body cream containers destined for export. A cargo agent linked to the shipment was immediately arrested, setting off a trail that led investigators to the mastermind, Alhaji Hammed Taofeek Ode, a self-styled businessman and real estate developer.

After weeks of intelligence gathering, NDLEA operatives traced Ode’s movements and secured his custody with assistance from the Nigeria Police Force, following a reported dispute he lodged at Zone 2 Headquarters in Lagos.

During interrogation, Ode admitted ownership of the narcotics, revealing he had purchased the drugs for over ₦150 million. The 56-year-old suspect claimed to have lived across Austria, Netherlands, France, Germany, Saudi Arabia, and the United Kingdom for 27 years before returning to Nigeria in 2024 to invest in “legitimate business.”

Five Other UK-Bound Shipments Thwarted

Similarly, another cartel’s network of cocaine traffickers targeting the United Kingdom was dismantled after NDLEA operatives at the MMIA Strategic Command intercepted 2.10kg of cocaine concealed in hair cream containers on September 26. The arrest of a cargo agent led to the capture of the principal suspect, Smith David Korede, a furniture maker based in Oshodi, Lagos.

Subsequent searches at his residence yielded another 1.40kg of cocaine, while two additional shipments totaling 2kg were intercepted at the airport, both traced back to Korede.

By October 2, NDLEA operatives intercepted two more consignments hidden among crayfish and stainless cups bound for the UK. Two suspects, Ogunbiyi Oluseye Taiwo and Popoola Francis Olumuyiwa, were arrested after the seizure of 2.6kg of cocaine concealed in cups and hair cream containers.

Other Major Arrests Across States

The agency also recorded several high-profile arrests and seizures nationwide:

In Lagos, operatives arrested notorious dealer John Igbe, alias SammyBless, who distributed synthetic cannabis (“Colorado”) across Lekki and Ajah. He was caught with 550 grams of the illicit substance.

In Mushin, three suspects—Idris Lukman, Fuad Abdulsalam, and Mobolaji James—were arrested with 109kg of skunk, 20 bottles of codeine syrup, and 2kg of nitrous oxide.

At Trade Fair Complex, Alaba, NDLEA seized 3,700 bottles of codeine syrup and 550,000 expired diclofenac tablets.

In Kwara State, 27,700 pills of tramadol were confiscated from Salisu Abubakar, while Blessing Ovaka, 50, was arrested in Kaduna with 498.5kg of skunk. Another suspect, Dahiru Salisu, 27, was nabbed along the Kaduna–Zaria road with 34,180 capsules of tramadol.

In Ogun State, operatives raided Isheri, Obafemi Owode LGA, arresting Abubakar Audu with 112kg of skunk.
Meanwhile, in Osun State, NDLEA teams destroyed 14,000kg of cannabis on a 5.6-hectare plantation in Owena/Ijesha forest and arrested three cultivators—Chuimieze Shedrack (28), Sunday John (25), and Solomon Okopko (27).

In Edo State, a Toyota Sienna loaded with 22 bags of skunk weighing 244.5kg was intercepted at Igbanke, leading to the arrest of Ineh Excellent Obindi (28). Additionally, 10,897.35kg of skunk cultivated on 4.3 hectares at Ugbodo forest, Ovia North East LGA, was destroyed, with suspects Michael Ayang (40) and Bernard New Year (47) apprehended.

Further north, NDLEA and Customs officers at Danbatta-Daura Road, Kano, intercepted 290,450 pills of tramadol and pregabalin from Sa’adu Ali (38).

Courier, Highway, and Capital Seizures

In coordinated courier operations, NDLEA officers intercepted a parcel containing 6.3kg of Loud, a potent cannabis strain, disguised as bedsheets and hibiscus flowers from Thailand.

On the Okene–Lokoja highway, operatives intercepted a parcel bound for Abuja containing 3.27kg of Loud and Colorado, leading to the arrest of Tobi Odubote (34) in Gwagwalada. Another suspect, Ismail Abdurrahim (32), was arrested with 25.5kg of skunk along the Abaji–Abuja expressway.

Nationwide Anti-Drug Education Continues

Beyond enforcement, NDLEA commands across the federation continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy campaigns in schools, religious centres, markets, and workplaces. Sensitization lectures were held at Government Day Secondary Schools in Adamawa, Katsina, and Niger States, as well as for traders at Ladega Market, Ikorodu, and an advocacy visit to Imo State First Lady, Barr. Chioma Uzodinma, at Government House, Owerri.

Marwa: “We Will Dismantle Every Drug Network”

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended the operatives for their professionalism, resilience, and coordination across commands in MMIA, DOGI, Kano, Edo, Kwara, Kaduna, Ogun, Osun, Kogi, and the FCT.

“We’ll continue to target and dismantle every identified drug cartel at every level of their operations—from the mules to the dealers in between and up to their leadership,” Marwa declared.

“These successful operations should serve as a warning that NDLEA will not relent until the threat posed by substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking is eliminated. Every arrest, seizure, and asset forfeiture signifies innocent lives saved and communities protected—whether here in Nigeria or abroad.”

The NDLEA’s latest breakthroughs mark a significant advance in its ongoing war against narcotics trafficking and substance abuse, reaffirming Nigeria’s growing global reputation for decisive anti-drug enforcement.

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