Story perspectives

NDLEA arrests six, confiscates 557 kg drugs countrywide

7/6/2026

Summary

NDLEA Crackdown

NDLEA arrested Mary Yetunde Barek on 28 June 2026 at Lagos airport with 13 kg cocaine concealed in plantain peels.
NDLEA detained Nwabueze Felix Onyeka on 29 June 2026 in Anambra for smuggling 5.80 kg cocaine inside Orijin bitters cartons bound for Kuala Lumpur.
NDLEA seized 43,980 tramadol capsules from Daniel Harrison Ugwuoke on 4 July 2026 in Taraba, hidden in fuel tanks.
Between 1 July and 4 July 2026 NDLEA arrested six suspects across Kaduna, Ebonyi, Plateau and Gombe, confiscating methamphetamine, skunk marijuana, skunk and 556 kg cannabis sativa.

Summary

NDLEA Auctions

NDLEA announced on July 5 2026 it will auction seized residential and commercial properties, targeting N6.148 billion.
The notice, signed by Director of Media and Advocacy Femi Babafemi, lists assets confiscated in busts.
Proceeds will fund the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation programmes and boost operational capacity.
NDLEA disclosed 36 parcels of cocaine (5.80 kg) hidden in Bitters cartons bound for Kuala Lumpur.
The agency will publish the auction timeline and invite public oversight.

History

Historical Context

Established by Decree 48 in 1989, Nigeria’s National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) began targeting cocaine at Lagos airport, achieving a 1.5-tonne seizure in 1995 with UNODC help. Former chairman Ahmadu Giade warned of rising abuse, reflected in a 2021 UNODC report showing 14.4% prevalence. In July 2026, Director of Media Femi Babafemi seized kilograms of cocaine and auctioned assets worth N6.148 billion, extending the agency’s crackdown.

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NDLEA Crackdown

NDLEA arrested Mary Yetunde Barek on 28 June 2026 at Lagos airport with 13 kg cocaine concealed in plantain peels.
NDLEA detained Nwabueze Felix Onyeka on 29 June 2026 in Anambra for smuggling 5.80 kg cocaine inside Orijin bitters cartons bound for Kuala Lumpur.
NDLEA seized 43,980 tramadol capsules from Daniel Harrison Ugwuoke on 4 July 2026 in Taraba, hidden in fuel tanks.
Between 1 July and 4 July 2026 NDLEA arrested six suspects across Kaduna, Ebonyi, Plateau and Gombe, confiscating methamphetamine, skunk marijuana, skunk and 556 kg cannabis sativa.

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