NDLEA arrests Turkey-bound Angolan
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) recently announced the arrest of Mbala Dajou Abuba, an Angolan national, at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport on February 25, 2025. Abuba was allegedly attempting to traffic a significant quantity of cocaine by ingesting it. According to NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi, a body scan revealed the presence of illicit drugs, leading to his detention. Over the course of seven excretions, Abuba expelled 120 pellets of cocaine, totaling 1.829 kilograms. In his statement, Abuba claimed to have transitioned from running a township delivery service in Angola to engaging in the illicit drug trade. This arrest highlights the ongoing challenges faced by Nigerian authorities in combating drug trafficking, particularly through international airports.
In a related operation, the NDLEA apprehended Okeke Igwe for allegedly attempting to export 1.10 kilograms of cocaine concealed in vehicle propellers to Angola. This method of concealment underscores the increasingly sophisticated tactics employed by traffickers to evade detection. Additionally, Lawali Mohammed, a citizen of the Benin Republic, was arrested in Kwara State with 2,980 tablets of tramadol and numerous diazepam pills, further illustrating the widespread issue of pharmaceutical drug trafficking in the region.
At the Tincan seaport in Lagos, a joint operation involving the NDLEA, Customs, and other security agencies uncovered 128 parcels of Canadian Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, hidden in two mattresses within a Toyota Venza car imported from Canada. The seizure, weighing 63.75 kilograms, led to the arrest of 44-year-old Bamidele Joseph, the alleged consignee. This incident raises questions about the effectiveness of border control measures and the extent of international drug networks operating through Nigerian ports.
In Delta State, NDLEA operatives, supported by the military, conducted a raid on a 20-hectare cannabis farm in the Innam-Abbi/Orogun community, destroying over 50,000 kilograms of cannabis. Five suspects, ranging in age from 35 to 54, were arrested during the operation. While the destruction of such a large quantity of illicit drugs is a significant achievement, it also points to the scale of cannabis cultivation in Nigeria and the challenges of eradicating it.
These incidents collectively highlight the persistent and evolving nature of drug trafficking in Nigeria. Despite the NDLEA’s efforts, the use of sophisticated concealment methods, the involvement of international networks, and the scale of local production suggest that more comprehensive strategies are needed. This includes strengthening international cooperation, improving surveillance and detection technologies, and addressing the socio-economic factors that drive individuals to participate in the drug trade. Without addressing these root causes, the cycle of drug trafficking and related arrests is likely to continue.
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Reference
NDLEA arrests Turkey-bound Angolan who ‘excreted 120 pellets of cocaine’ in Kano