By Oluwakemi Kindness
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a notorious supplier of illicit drugs to bandits in Niger State.
The NDLEA also recorded major seizures of opioids, cannabis and codeine syrup across several states, as well as intercepting drug consignments bound for the United States, Canada and Sweden.
The bandit, 33-year-old Mohammed Sani, alias “Gamboli,” was apprehended at his hideout in Anguwan Fadama, Kuta, Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, three weeks after he escaped arrest.
NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, in a statement on sunday said Gamboli is a key supplier of drugs to bandits operating in the area.
Operatives had earlier raided his residence in Anguwan Makera, Kuta, on 20 November 2025, where 471.8kg of skunk was recovered, though he fled at the time. His arrest on 11 December followed sustained intelligence-led tracking.
In Abia State, NDLEA officers uncovered a clandestine codeine syrup factory at Amapu Igbengwo village, Umuakpara, Osisioma LGA, where 9,015 bottles of codeine syrup, weighing 1,152.2kg, were seized.
The agency also intercepted 907 pills of tramadol, tapentadol, cocodamol, amitriptyline and bromazepam concealed in containers of local black soap and designer wears.
The drugs, packaged in six consignments, were bound for the US, Canada and Sweden and were seized at two courier companies in Lagos between 9 and 10 December 2025.
At the Apapa seaport, NDLEA officers on 13 December intercepted a container with 170,000 bottles of codeine syrup, weighing 23,579kg, during a joint examination with the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies.
Across the country, several other arrests and seizures were recorded. In Ondo State, a 55-year-old woman, Veronica Obi, and her 29-year-old son, Bright Obi, were arrested in Ogbese, Akure North, with 1,187kg of skunk and its seeds.
In Oyo State, a raid on a drug joint known as “Beere the California” led to the seizure of skunk, Colorado and methamphetamine, while another operation in Ibadan resulted in the recovery of 238.4kg of skunk.
In Enugu, two suspects were arrested with a combined 101.8kg of skunk, while operatives in Ogun State seized 98kg of skunk from three suspects. At the Seme border in Lagos, two suspects were arrested with 50,000 pills of tramadol (250mg).
Further operations in Edo State led to the seizure of 461kg of skunk, while in Gombe State, NDLEA arrested suspects with 40,000 capsules of tramadol and 56kg of skunk.
Meanwhile, NDLEA Commands continued War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation activities in schools and communities across Katsina, Kano, Benue and Enugu States during the week.
Commending the officers involved, NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), praised the various commands for the arrests and seizures and urged sustained commitment to the agency’s balanced approach to drug control nationwide.
