Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have dismantled a drug trafficking syndicate in Lagos that concealed cocaine in tins of palm kernel oil bound for the United Kingdom.

The agency said the intelligence-led operation lasted three weeks and led to the arrest of multiple suspects, including the alleged kingpin, in a major crackdown on organised drug trafficking.

How the operation unfolded

The breakthrough began on 11 March 2026 at the export shed of Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.

NDLEA officers intercepted 3.10kg of cocaine hidden inside tins of palm kernel extract meant for export to the UK.

Two suspects, Idris Olayiwola Amoo and Akinlami Akinsoji Adedoyin, were arrested at the scene.

Further investigations led to a sting operation on 2 April, resulting in the arrest of the alleged sender, Ezemuwo Joel, who reportedly used a false identity.

Authorities said his arrest exposed the network’s leader, 52-year-old King Arinze, who was later tracked to a hideout in Isolo, Lagos.

Warehouse raid reveals scale of operation

NDLEA operatives raided a warehouse in the Bucknor area of Isolo, where they uncovered hundreds of tins prepared for drug concealment.

Recovered items included:

886 tins of palm kernel extract

Industrial sealing machines and tools

Paint sprays and packaging materials

Cannabis and other items linked to drug processing

The agency said the suspect admitted to draining the oil from the tins to hide cocaine shipments.

Other arrests across Nigeria

The NDLEA also announced several arrests and seizures across multiple states.

In Borno State, a 28-year-old woman, Aisha Adamu, was arrested along Gamboru Ngala road with 4.3kg of “Colorado”, a potent synthetic cannabis. Officials said she was supplying drugs to armed groups operating in the region.

In Lagos, a pastor, Afolabi Hodonu, and his wife were arrested at the Seme border with 11kg of skunk concealed in their vehicle. Their arrest followed the earlier capture of a suspected fake security agent transporting 24.5kg of the same substance.

Other operations included:

Seizure of 48,000 tramadol pills in Adamawa State

Recovery of 1,378kg of skunk from a warehouse in Edo State

Arrest of a suspected dealer in Ibadan who allegedly used her 11-year-old daughter to distribute drugs

Discovery of 351kg of cannabis in a forest in Ondo State

What NDLEA says

The NDLEA Chairman, Mohamed Buba Marwa, said the operations reflect the agency’s growing intelligence capacity.

“These successful operations are a testament to the Agency’s evolving intelligence capabilities and our unwavering commitment to choking the supply lines of drug cartels.”

“Whether they hide behind legitimate businesses, religious titles, or complex concealment methods, we will find them.”

Why it matters

Drug trafficking remains a major security and public health challenge in Nigeria.

Authorities say criminal networks are increasingly adopting sophisticated concealment methods, including disguising illicit substances within everyday goods and using unsuspecting couriers.

The NDLEA’s latest operation highlights both the scale of the problem and ongoing efforts to disrupt supply chains locally and internationally.

Prevention and public awareness

The agency said its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign continues nationwide, with sensitisation programmes held in schools across Lagos, Oyo, Kano, Anambra, and Zamfara states.

Officials say these efforts aim to reduce drug demand, particularly among young people.

What’s next

Investigations are ongoing, and the NDLEA says more arrests could follow as it works to dismantle wider networks linked to the syndicate.

The Delta State Police Command says it has intensified operations against drug cartels following the death of a 15-year-old boy who allegedly overdosed on a controlled medication.

Police said the teenager, identified as Gift Oberhirhi, died after reportedly consuming multiple tablets of Dexamethasone without a doctor’s prescription.

The incident, which occurred in Orogun, has renewed concerns about the growing misuse of drugs among young people in Nigeria.

What happened

According to police, the boy allegedly obtained the tablets from a friend, also aged 15, identified as Destiny Akpofure.

Authorities said the deceased swallowed about 15 tablets before falling ill.

He later died while being rushed for medical treatment.

Police operatives said they responded quickly, evacuated the body to the General Hospital mortuary in Orogun for an autopsy, and arrested the suspect.

“The deceased without a doctor’s prescription, took the drug from the suspect and swallowed fifteen tablets. He subsequently fell ill and died while being taken for medical attention,” the statement said.

The police added that investigations are ongoing.

Why it matters

Health experts warn that Dexamethasone, a corticosteroid, should only be taken under medical supervision, as misuse can lead to severe complications or death.

The incident highlights a broader issue of access to prescription and controlled drugs among teenagers.

Police say such misuse is increasingly linked to other crimes, including cult-related violence and substance abuse disorders.

Police response

The Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Yemi John Oyeniyi, said the command is stepping up intelligence-led operations targeting drug dens and criminal hideouts.

“The Command is committed to the protection of lives and property and will take all necessary measures to address drug-related crimes across the State,” he said.

Authorities also warned young people against drug misuse and urged parents and guardians to monitor their children closely.

Wider concerns

Drug abuse among Nigerian youths has become a growing public health concern, with authorities linking it to rising insecurity and social problems.

The police say the latest incident underscores “the serious public safety risks posed by the illegal distribution and misuse of drugs.”

They are urging members of the public to report suspicious drug-related activities.

What’s next

Police say investigations into the case will continue, while broader enforcement efforts targeting illegal drug distribution networks are being expanded.

Community awareness campaigns are also expected to be intensified.

Delta State police have arrested two additional suspects in connection with the January murder of 31-year-old Alex Adanike in Agbhara-Otor, authorities confirmed on Tuesday, 31 March 2026.

Adanike was reportedly shot and stabbed by members of the Supreme Vikings Confraternity, also known as Aro Bagger, who mistakenly believed he was his twin brother, Okpako Adanike.

Background: Fatal Mistaken Identity

Earlier investigations led to the arrest of two suspects, Warri Ochuko and Lucky Okohwoake, who confessed to involvement in the killing. The latest operation, conducted in Ughelli and Warri by Deputy Commissioner of Police Olumuyiwa Adejobi, apprehended Tega Michael, 26, and Tena Sagbene, 32.

Authorities say the new arrests were based on intelligence gathered from the initial suspects, who identified the two as co-perpetrators of the murder.

Court Proceedings and Confessions

All four suspects were arraigned before the Ughelli High Court on Tuesday and remanded in prison custody. Police confirmed that the suspects have confessed to participating in the murder.

“The arrests demonstrate the importance of proactive policing, including intelligence gathering, raids, and stop-and-search operations,” said the Delta State Police Command in a statement. “These measures help prevent crime and restore peace and sanity in the state.”

Police Statement: Fighting Crime on All Fronts

Commissioner of Police lauded officers for taking the fight directly to criminal hideouts, making the state increasingly uninhabitable for lawbreakers. Residents were urged to respect the rule of law and cooperate with law enforcement.

“We commend our officers for sustaining the fight against crime and criminality. Delta State is becoming unsafe for criminals,” the statement added.

Why It Matters

The arrests highlight the ongoing threat posed by cult-related violence in southern Nigeria and the role of targeted raids in tackling organized crime. Police stress that public cooperation remains essential for successful crime prevention.