NDLEA strikes major blow against Captagon, cocaine, and opioid syndicates in Nigeria

Crime Diary

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) —The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted large consignments of illicit drugs and explosives across multiple states, dealing a significant blow to criminal networks attempting to destabilize Nigeria.

According to a statement signed by Femi Babafemi, Director, Media & Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, on Sunday, April 26, 2026, in Kwara State, operatives seized 10,000 pills of Captagon and nine packets of Tapentadol 250mg from a passenger, Nasiru Mu’azu, on April 21.

Just days later, on April 24, a trailer marked RMY-70XA was intercepted with 155,900 capsules of tramadol, 6,000 ampoules of tramadol injection, 3,000 tablets of Co-Codamol, and 9,000 tablets of Bromazepam concealed in a false compartment. Suspect Aminu Isah was taken into custody.

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In Oyo State, a passenger identified as Eze Prince Emeka, 33, excreted 45 pellets of cocaine weighing 1.043kg after ingestion to evade detection. Investigations revealed he planned to traffic the drugs through trans-Saharan routes with Algeria as a transit point and Europe as a possible destination.

Further seizures included 1,196,000 pills of pharmaceutical opioids in Edo State, 810kg of Arizona cannabis in Lagos, 288 blocks of skunk weighing 154.5kg in Bauchi, and 466.8kg of skunk in Ekiti. In Cross River, NDLEA destroyed 20,000kg of psychoactive substances hidden in forest enclaves.

In Niger State, 394 pieces of improvised explosive device (IED) components were recovered from a suspect, Mohammed Aliyu, 26.

NDLEA Chairman/CEO Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retired) praised the vigilance of officers nationwide, describing the Captagon seizure as a wake-up call. “Captagon will never find a foothold in Nigeria,” he assured, stressing its links to insurgent groups and its role in fueling insecurity.

He emphasized that NDLEA is disrupting the supply chains that power violence, while also intensifying sensitization campaigns under the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative in schools and communities.