The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has successfully arrested two notorious drug kingpins who had been evading capture. The arrests, made during a series of operations across multiple states, also led to the recovery of large quantities of illegal drugs. The apprehended suspects, Ajiboye Samuel and Alhaji Bashir Talba, were declared wanted after escaping several NDLEA raids.
In a statement issued on Sunday, NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi confirmed that Samuel, also known as “Na God,” was arrested in Ogun State on September 25. Samuel had been on the run for over a year after a raid on his warehouse in the Akala, Mushin area of Lagos, where officers seized 1,101 kilograms of “Ghana Loud,” a potent strain of cannabis.
“Operatives finally apprehended Samuel at a bank in Ogun State after tracking him for 12 months. He had been evading arrest following the discovery of his warehouse in Mushin,” Babafemi explained. Samuel’s capture followed extensive investigations, which led the agency to freeze 20 bank accounts linked to him.
Just days later, on September 27, NDLEA operatives arrested another wanted suspect, Alhaji Bashir Talba, in Lagos. Talba, a community leader known as the Sarkin Yamma of Badagry, had evaded arrest after a raid on his home earlier in September. His two wives and son were previously detained when NDLEA officers discovered 226.2 kilograms of cannabis at their residence.
In addition to these arrests, the NDLEA has been cracking down on drug trafficking across the country. The agency detained two ex-convicts, Muhammad Machido and Zakari Buhari, in Katsina State for possession of large quantities of illicit drugs. Muhammad was caught with 51,000 pills of opioids, while Buhari was arrested with 14 blocks of cannabis weighing seven kilograms. Babafemi noted that both men had prior convictions for drug offenses, but resumed their illegal activities after serving time.
“Buhari was first arrested in February 2024 and sentenced to 15 months in prison, while Machido had been convicted for drug trafficking in 2022,” Babafemi revealed. Both men were apprehended on major highways in Katsina while attempting to transport drugs.
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The NDLEA also foiled attempts to export narcotics to various countries through courier services. Babafemi detailed multiple incidents where drugs were concealed in everyday items like footwear, clothing, and LED lamps. “Officers intercepted parcels containing tramadol, heroin, and other substances disguised in auto parts, rechargeable lamps, and sofa legs. These items were destined for countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and Thailand,” Babafemi stated.
One of the key arrests linked to these export attempts was that of Ejiofor Chiwuzie, an automobile spare parts dealer in Lagos. Chiwuzie was arrested after a consignment containing heroin and cannabis was traced to him. The drugs had been hidden in rechargeable lamps and furniture components intended for export to Liberia. “A swift follow-up operation led to Chiwuzie’s arrest, along with two freight agents involved in the shipment,” Babafemi added.
In addition to these arrests, NDLEA operatives across the country have seized thousands of kilograms of drugs in various operations. In Kogi State, three suspects were arrested while transporting over two tons of cannabis in a Mercedes container truck from Osun State to Abuja. Another suspect, Benedict Simire, was caught with cannabis and a firearm in Kabba, Kogi State.
In Lagos, NDLEA’s Marine Command intercepted a boat carrying nearly three tons of “Ghana Loud” cannabis near Lekki beach. The boat’s crew dived into the water to escape arrest, but the officers, with assistance from the Nigerian Customs Service, recovered the drugs.
The agency also discovered 1,500 cartons of codeine-based cough syrup in a container at the Port Harcourt Port in Rivers State during a joint operation with Nigerian Customs. Meanwhile, in Niger State, operatives confiscated 6,000 ampoules of the dangerous drug pentazocine from a suspect, Chukwudi Nwanoche.
The NDLEA continues its fight against drug trafficking, with recent arrests stretching across Kano, Plateau, and Oyo States. In one case, a 58-year-old woman in Jos was caught with 12,000 pills of tramadol, while another suspect in Oyo was arrested with over 600 kilograms of cannabis and a firearm.
Babafemi concluded by praising the agency’s efforts and urging citizens to support the NDLEA’s mission. “Our operatives are working tirelessly to rid Nigeria of drug trafficking networks. We urge the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities. Together, we can make our communities safer.”