NDLEA Cracks Down on International and Local Drug Trafficking: Angolan Businessman, Auto Parts Dealer, and Multiple Suspects Arrested with Cocaine, Cannabis, and Tramadol Across Nigeria
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 42-year-old Angolan businessman, Mbala Abuba, for attempting to traffic cocaine to Istanbul, Turkey. Abuba, a native of Zaire Province in Angola, was intercepted on February 25, 2025, at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, while boarding an Egypt Air flight. A body scan confirmed he had ingested illicit drugs, and under observation, he excreted 120 pellets of cocaine weighing 1.829kg.
In a separate operation, NDLEA operatives foiled an attempt by auto parts dealer Okeke Igwe to smuggle 1.10kg of cocaine hidden in vehicle propellers to Angola. He was arrested on February 24 at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
Elsewhere, Ezechi Cyprian was caught on February 23 transporting 5.40kg of cocaine to Owerri in a Toyota Sienna. At Tincan Seaport, Lagos, a joint security operation on February 28 uncovered 128 parcels of Canadian Loud cannabis concealed in a Toyota Venza from Canada, leading to the arrest of Bamidele Joseph.
In Delta, NDLEA, backed by the military, raided a 20-hectare cannabis farm, seizing over 50,000kg of illicit crops and arresting five suspects. Another bust on February 28 led to the interception of a truck carrying 1,111kg of skunk.
Further arrests were made in Edo, Oyo, Kwara, Osun, Zamfara, and Borno states, where NDLEA seized large quantities of cannabis, tramadol, and other drugs. Several suspects are in custody as authorities intensify the crackdown on drug trafficking across Nigeria.
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 has arrested a 42-year-old Angolan businessman, Mbala Abuba, for attempting to traffic cocaine to Istanbul, Turkey. Abuba, a native of Zaire Province in Angola, was intercepted on February 25, 2025, at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, while boarding an Egypt Air flight. A body scan confirmed he had ingested illicit drugs, and under observation, he excreted 120 pellets of cocaine weighing 1.829kg.){kind=link}