NDLEA intercepts large opioid consignments in Taraba, arrests 75-year-old dealer in Ebonyi

• Four notorious female dealers arrested in Edo, Imo

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has intensified its nationwide crackdown on drug cartels, intercepting massive consignments of opioids in Taraba and arresting a 75-year-old grandpa and four notorious female dealers across several states.

In a statement issued Sunday, June 7, 2026, by Director of Media and Advocacy Femi Babafemi, the agency said the operations led to seizures of hundreds of thousands of tramadol capsules, methamphetamine, skunk, codeine, and other illicit substances.

Major opioid haul in Taraba
On Saturday, June 6, 2026, NDLEA operatives acting on credible intelligence intercepted a truck conveying building materials from Onitsha, Anambra State to Jalingo. A search at the Nukkai Timber Shade, Jalingo, uncovered drugs concealed beneath the cargo.

Recovered items include: 320,840 capsules of tramadol; 600 ampoules of pentazocine injection; 4,500 pills of rohypnol; and 299 bottles of codeine-based cough syrup. A 22-year-old suspect, Buhari Abdullahi, was arrested.

Arrests across multiple states
In Ebonyi State, operatives tracked down and arrested 75-year-old Okebe Samuel at Okposi. The septuagenarian was found with 300 grams of skunk packaged in retail sachets for sale to youths in his community.

In Imo State, a raid on a drug enclave at Umulolo, Orlu, led to the arrest of 32-year-old Chioma Okeke and recovery of 8 kilograms of skunk.

In Edo State, a sweep of drug hotspots in Benin City on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, yielded four arrests, including three females. At Uyosa, Chioma Igba, 24, and Precious Ozomah, 22, were caught with 176g of skunk, 65g of Loud, and 5g of methamphetamine. Along Agbor Road, Anita Abraham, 21, was apprehended with 95g of Scottish Loud and 329g of regular Loud. At Upper Mission, Henry Okey, 43, was arrested with Loud, Colorado, Swinol, and methamphetamine.

In Kano State, 19-year-old Saifullahi Lawan was arrested Thursday, June 4, at Kafi, Madobi, with 40 blocks of skunk weighing 38kg.

In Gombe State, 28-year-old Ugwu Sabastine Ifebuchi was intercepted Monday, June 1, near Dantiti Plaza, Tumfure, with 15,000 capsules of tramadol.

The agency also continued its War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, sensitization lectures in schools across Oyo, Lagos, Anambra, and Kano states.

NDLEA Chairman/CEO, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended officers of the Taraba, Ebonyi, Imo, Edo, Kano, and Gombe commands for their resilience. He reiterated that the agency remains committed to dismantling drug supply chains and will target traffickers “regardless of age, gender, or concealment methods.”