The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) launched a significant operation against drug trafficking in Nigeria, uncovering a sophisticated operation using a hotel as a front for illicit substance distribution. The five-storey hotel, known as The Hook Hotel, Caesar Hotel, and Caesar Lounge, located in the upscale Victoria Island area of Lagos, served as a hub for storing and distributing large quantities of Canadian Loud, a potent strain of cannabis. The raid, conducted between April 25 and 26, 2025, resulted in the seizure of 589 bags of the drug, weighing a total of 417.3 kilograms and estimated to be worth ₦1,042,500,000 on the street. Three suspects were apprehended during the operation: Eze Ayitu, Ofuokwu Samuel, and Emmanuel Ameh. Two additional suspects, Noble Philip and his partner Kenneth, remain at large. The NDLEA also seized assets suspected to be proceeds of the illicit drug trade, including several luxury vehicles, televisions, and refrigerators.
Beyond the hotel raid, the NDLEA conducted a major interdiction operation in Jigawa State, intercepting a significant shipment of opioids destined for Niger Republic and Yobe State. The operation, which occurred on April 23, 2025, led to the seizure of a Toyota Sienna vehicle containing 200,000 pills of tramadol 250mg and 217,500 capsules of pregabalin. Two suspects, Abba Ibrahim and Shuaibu Umar, were arrested during the interception. A subsequent follow-up operation in Kano State led to the arrest of the alleged supplier, Jamilu Muhammad. A search of his residence uncovered an additional 1,584,000 pills of tramadol 250mg hidden in a parked bus and inside his house. The combined seizure of opioids totaled a staggering 2,001,500 pills, highlighting the scale of the illicit drug trade in the region.
The NDLEA also targeted cannabis cultivation, raiding two farms in Edo State. The operation, carried out in the Ugbodu community on April 24, 2025, resulted in the destruction of 3,814.9 kilograms of skunk and the arrest of three suspects: Samuel Samson, Daniel Peter, and Abel Edah. These operations demonstrate the NDLEA’s commitment to disrupting the entire drug supply chain, from cultivation and production to distribution and sale. The multi-pronged approach underscores the agency’s determination to tackle the drug problem from various angles, aiming to reduce both the supply of and demand for illicit substances.
In addition to its enforcement efforts, the NDLEA is actively engaged in drug demand reduction initiatives through its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) program. These activities include sensitization lectures and advocacy visits to schools, communities, and traditional leaders. Recent WADA activities included lectures delivered to students and staff of Dan-Doro Community Arabic Secondary School in Katsina, St. James Anglican School in Kebbi, Federal Government Girls College in Sokoto, and members of the Oganiru age grade in Onitsha, Anambra State. The Lagos State Strategic Command of NDLEA also conducted an advocacy visit to the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, HRM Oba Kabir Adewale Shotobi, further emphasizing the agency’s commitment to community engagement and raising awareness about the dangers of drug abuse.
Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd), Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, commended the officers involved in these operations, highlighting their dedication and effectiveness in tackling drug trafficking. He specifically acknowledged the efforts of the DOGI, Lagos, Kano, Jigawa, Edo, and Seme Commands for their significant contributions to the recent arrests and seizures. Furthermore, Marwa emphasized the importance of maintaining a balanced approach between drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts. This balanced strategy aims to address both the immediate threat posed by the availability of drugs and the underlying social factors that contribute to drug abuse.
The NDLEA’s recent operations represent a significant blow to drug trafficking networks operating in Nigeria. The seizure of large quantities of cannabis, opioids, and the dismantling of a drug distribution hub masked as a hotel showcases the agency’s commitment to combating the illicit drug trade. Coupled with its ongoing drug demand reduction initiatives, the NDLEA is working to address the multifaceted challenges posed by drug abuse in Nigeria, aiming to create a safer and healthier society. The apprehension of several suspects and the ongoing search for others signals a strong message of deterrence to those involved in the illicit drug trade, while the community outreach programs work to prevent future generations from falling prey to drug addiction.
