…Cartel operatives confront NDLEA in Edo forest, 28,000kg of skunk eradicated
…Seizures and apprehensions documented across Lagos, Kano, Taraba, Borno, and other locations
By: Kingsley Omonobi
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) reports that its personnel have intercepted various drug shipments cleverly concealed within household appliances at Lagos airports and throughout the nation, including cocaine concealed in microwave ovens and lipsticks originating from Thailand. The agency also announced the capture of a long-sought-after drug lord, Okechukwu Izugha, who had evaded authorities for nearly a year.
According to Femi Babafemi, NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, agents at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, on July 7, discovered 23 packages of “loud” (a potent cannabis variety) weighing 11.3kg, hidden inside microwaves that arrived from Thailand via Ethiopia. One individual, Ezenwegbu Chike, has been taken into custody.
In a similar operation, an additional 400 grams of cocaine, along with phenacetine (a diluent), were found integrated into women’s lipsticks within a shipment destined for Guinea. These illicit substances were concealed amongst face powder and hair extensions. A businessman, Ezeikwelume Prince Afam, was apprehended at the Trade Fair Complex, Lagos, in connection with this consignment.
A significant development occurred with the apprehension of Okechukwu Izugha, also known as Okey Omeogo, on July 9 at his wife’s retail establishment in Ijesha Market, Lagos. Izugha had gone into hiding following the confiscation of 9kg of cocaine linked to him in August 2024. His spouse, Maureen Izugha, had previously been convicted and received a two-year prison sentence for possessing 500 grams of cocaine.
In Edo State, NDLEA personnel eradicated over 28,000kg of skunk discovered on three agricultural plots covering 11 hectares in the Ewere-Uzebba forest, Owan West LGA. The team also recovered an additional 82kg of processed cannabis. Armed cartel members ambushed the operatives as they were leaving the forest, firing shots that struck one of the NDLEA vehicles. No injuries were reported.
Lagos: At Okun-Ajah Beach, 1,400 compressed blocks of Ghana Loud (700kg) were recovered, along with a delivery truck.
On the Ajah-Epe expressway, two individuals, Innocent Ejidiobo and Friday Paul, were apprehended with 26kg of Ghana Loud, 123g of methamphetamine, and 45g of Molly.
Borno State: On July 12, Godwin Chima
