NDLEA cracks major Lagos drug syndicate, arrests kingpin, seizes massive consignments nationwide

Crime Diary

ABUJA, NIGERIA, April 6, 2026 (NPA) — The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled a drug trafficking syndicate in intelligence-led operations lasting three weeks. Cocaine consignments concealed in tins of palm kernel extract were uncovered.

This was disclosed in a statement by NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Mr Femi Babafemi, on Sunday in Abuja. He said the drugs, bound for the United Kingdom, were intercepted and the warehouse raided, leading to the arrest of the kingpin.

The breakthrough began on March 11 when NDLEA officers at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos, intercepted 3.10kg of cocaine hidden in tins of palm kernel extract. Two suspects were arrested. A sting operation on April 2 led to the arrest of the sender, operating under a fake identity, which exposed the syndicate’s head, 52-year-old King Arinze. He was flushed out of a hideout in Isolo, Lagos, and taken to his warehouse, where 886 tins prepared for concealment were recovered, along with industrial tools, cannabis, and gloves. He confessed to draining oil from tins to hide cocaine.

In Borno, NDLEA operatives intercepted a female supplier to bandit groups along the Gamboru-Ngala road with 4.3kg of Colorado, a potent synthetic cannabis. Meanwhile, a pastor of the Celestial Church of Christ, Agonvi Sea Beach, Sakpo, and his wife were arrested at Gbaji checkpoint, Badagry, Lagos, with 11kg of skunk concealed in their SUV. Their arrest followed that of a fake security agent at the same checkpoint earlier in the week with 24.5kg of skunk.

In Adamawa, NDLEA officers intercepted a trailer transporting 48,000 tramadol pills. The driver and the recipient were arrested. A 60-year-old woman was also arrested with 15kg of skunk in Osogbo. In Ondo, operatives raided Itaogbolu forest, Akure, recovering 351kg of skunk and seeds. In Benue, 28,600 tramadol capsules were seized from a 66-year-old man in Aliade. In Edo, a suspect was arrested after 1,378kg of skunk was found in his warehouse. In Oyo, a notorious dealer was arrested in Ibadan after using her 11-year-old daughter to deliver drugs; 45.6kg of skunk was recovered.

NDLEA’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy continued nationwide. Babafemi said NDLEA Chairman, retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa commended officers in MMIA, Seme, Borno, Oyo, Ondo, Osun, Edo, Adamawa, and Benue for their arrests and seizures. Marwa praised all commands for balancing supply and demand reduction efforts. “These successful operations show our evolving intelligence capabilities and commitment to choking drug cartels’ supply lines. Whether they hide behind businesses, religious titles, or complex methods, we will find them,” he stated.