Authorities apprehend Brazilian entrepreneur, several others in nationwide narcotics crackdown

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has successfully apprehended multiple suspects and seized substantial quantities of illicit substances during operations conducted across various regions of the country.

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A 41-year-old businessman, Abugu Ikechukwu, who is based in São Paulo, Brazil, was taken into custody at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Ikeja, Lagos, after arriving from Brazil via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on an Ethiopian Airlines flight on June 11.

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A thorough search of Ikechukwu's luggage yielded 14 towels and shirts that were allegedly impregnated with 6.10 kilograms of liquid cocaine, according to the agency.

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Ikechukwu reportedly informed investigators that he had resided in Brazil for over 14 years, where he operates an African restaurant, and had travelled to Nigeria to visit his family and purchase food items for his business.

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In a separate operation, the NDLEA took into custody a 60-year-old woman, Chidimma Sunday, in Abia State, and a 28-year-old man, Abubakar Usman, in Rivers State, over alleged drug-related offences.

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Chidimma was apprehended by a local vigilante group in Umuna Autonomous Community, Isialangwa North Local Government Area of Abia State, and was later handed over to the NDLEA, while Usman was arrested during a raid in Rumuokoro, Port Harcourt, where officers recovered various substances from him.

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In Delta State, a 36-year-old suspect, Onya Jude, was arrested by operatives at Ogwashi-Uku in Aniocha South Local Government Area, and substances suspected to be cannabis were recovered from gas cylinders allegedly used for concealment.

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The agency also announced the arrest of two suspects, Jamilu Idris and Aminu Abdullahi, in Gombe State, where substances suspected to be cannabis were reportedly recovered.

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In Kano State, the NDLEA said a suspect, Ngozi Gaius, was arrested along the Zaria-Kano Road while allegedly conveying tramadol tablets.

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Two other suspects, Nasiru Hamza and Muhammad Sani, were intercepted in Kwara State with a large consignment of suspected cannabis, according to the agency.

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NDLEA operatives raided a warehouse in Taraba State, where a substantial quantity of substances suspected to be cannabis was recovered, following intelligence reports on the activities of a suspected drug dealer.

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In the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, a suspect identified as Emmanuel Nnadi was arrested during a patrol operation along the Gwagwalada Expressway, and various controlled substances were recovered from him.

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The agency also reported the seizure of a large consignment of a cannabis strain popularly known as “Ghana Loud” around the Alaba International Market area of Lagos.

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Beyond enforcement operations, the NDLEA's commands across the country continued to conduct public awareness campaigns under its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative, targeting schools, communities, traditional institutions, and workplaces.

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Sensitisation programmes were conducted in schools and communities in Nasarawa, Enugu, Lagos, Kano, Anambra, and other states, according to NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi.

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NDLEA Chairman, Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), commended the officers involved in the arrests and seizures, urging commands nationwide to sustain efforts aimed at reducing drug trafficking and abuse through enforcement and public education.