NDLEA Intercepts The Shipment Of Illicit Drugs Disguised As Christmas Cookies And Snacks In Lagos

Luck ran out on a social media-based drug distribution network in Lagos that specializes in concealing illicit substances as imported Christmas cookies and snacks . Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) caught up with them and dismantled their network, arresting two alleged organisers.

In a statement released today by the Director of Media & Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the agency said the syndicate, run by Deji Adesanya and Olubiyi Majekodunmi, imported consignments of Canadian Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, and packaged it in colourful designer sachets bearing cookie and snack labels to disguise retail quantities. The network reportedly sold and distributed the drugs through a WhatsApp platform.

“Following credible intelligence, NDLEA operatives on Saturday, 22 November 2025, raided their apartment at Ojulari Street, Ikate area of Lekki, recovering a large quantity of the designer sachets and five kilograms of Loud at the point of arrest,” the statement said.

In a separate operation on Thursday, 27 November, the agency arrested 38-year-old Philip Ucheka in Ladipo, Mushin, Lagos, while he was receiving 110 pouches of Canadian Loud weighing 55.6 kilograms. Three delivery vehicles used for distribution were also impounded.

At a courier company in Lagos, officers intercepted 100 grams of Loud concealed inside a teddy bear imported from Thailand, while 548 capsules of tramadol hidden in Vitamin C and magnesium bottles bound for the United Kingdom were recovered from another logistics firm on 28 November.

In Oyo State, NDLEA officers on 29 November arrested 55-year-old Wasiu Kareem along the Lagos–Ibadan expressway with 8,000 ampoules of pentazocine injection, 590 bottles of codeine syrup, 1,500 Co-codamol pills, and 9,900 tramadol capsules.

In Ondo State, seven suspects were arrested on 24 November during a raid on the Ipe forest in Akoko South East, where 3,077 kilograms of skunk, a strain of cannabis, were seized. The arrested individuals were identified as John Ede, Ede Ndubuisi, Ikenna Abe, Eze Chukwuma, Maduabuchi Odo, Nnaji Chudubem, and George Okowor.

In Kogi State, Anthony Sylvester, 49, was arrested while transporting 649 kilograms of skunk along the Okene–Lokoja highway on 26 November. Separately, NDLEA officers raided a warehouse at Ashipa, Seme border area, Badagry, Lagos on 28 November, apprehending 33-year-old Abubakar Shuaibu with 487 blocks of skunk weighing 243.5 kilograms.

Along Zaria–Kano Road in Kano, officers arrested 47-year-old Tsalha Alasan on 24 November with 137 kilograms of skunk. In Bauchi State, three suspects—Godspower Appeal, 50; Ernest Upong, 55; and Godday Chukwudi, 38—were arrested on 26 November at Fanshanu village, Toro LGA, with 322 blocks of skunk weighing 209 kilograms. A black Toyota Highlander, ABJ 533 EA, used for transportation, was also seized.

NDLEA also reported the arrest of 51-year-old John Ekojo with 210.15 kilograms of skunk along the Abuja–Jos highway. Additionally, a couple, Abdullahi Abubakar, 45, and Jamila Abdullahi, 35, were apprehended along the Abuja–Kaduna highway with 725 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition concealed in a sack of maize. On 28 November, 20-year-old Awwal Sabiu was also arrested at the Abuja–Kaduna tollgate with 400 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.

The NDLEA statement confirms that the operations reflect ongoing efforts to intercept illicit drugs and prevent their distribution both within Nigeria and internationally.

 

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Why We Stopped Egungun Festival In Oregun - Police

The Lagos State Police Command has stopped plans for an unapproved Egungun festival in Oregun and arrested twelve suspects linked to posters and social media publications warning residents against free movement in the area.

According to a press statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, the suspects, alleged to be acting under the name “Oje Parapo of Oregun”, were apprehended after circulating handbills that restricted people’s freedom of movement, expression, and human dignity, actions the police say were capable of inciting fear and disturbing public order.

Following the development, the Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, ordered the immediate suspension of the festival. He said the event posed a threat to public safety and could lead to a breach of the peace.

According to the Command, the publications had already generated tension among residents, prompting swift intervention. “No group should take the law into their hands or restrict the movement of any Lagosian at any time,” the police warned, stressing that the fundamental rights of Lagosians would be fully protected.

The Command said its assessment showed that the planned festival had created widespread apprehension across Oregon and surrounding areas, necessitating a decisive halt to forestall a breakdown of law and order. It vowed that no cultural event or gathering that could heighten tension or endanger lives would be allowed to be held in the state.

A similar incident was recorded on November 23 in Mafoluku, Oshodi, where handbills announcing movement restrictions were circulated. Police operatives from Makinde Division moved in promptly, arresting twelve suspects who are now under investigation and will be prosecuted upon completion of enquiries.

Reaffirming the suspension, CP Jimoh directed the Oje Parapo group to desist from any attempt to proceed with the festival, saying security for such an event could not be guaranteed. He noted that the fear already created among residents was unacceptable and warned that anyone attempting to undermine public peace would face the full weight of the law.

The Command urged Lagos residents to continue their lawful activities without fear, assuring them of sustained protection of life and property.

 

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Lagos State Police Command Beefs Up Security Around Schools, Other Infrastructure

Amidst the growing insecurity in the country and the fear in some quarters that it might encroach into the South-west region of the country, the Lagos State Police Command has strengthened security across schools, places of worship, markets, recreational centres and event venues as part of renewed efforts to prevent threats and guarantee public safety in the state.

The move followed recent security breaches in parts of the country, including the attack on a Catholic church in Eruku, Kwara State, and the abduction of students in Kebbi and Niger states by suspected bandits.

Commissioner of Police (CP)Olorundare Jimoh, who briefed journalists at the Command Headquarters in Ikeja, said personnel have been deployed to strategic locations across the state to ensure a crime-free Yuletide.

“We have created a special squad to take charge of school protection, and we are making steady progress with no fear of apprehension,” he said. “Our intelligence teams are moving in and out of major areas to prevent any criminal infiltration into Lagos.”

The police chief said security has also been reinforced across other critical infrastructure and border communities, noting that waterways are now better secured following the deployment of 26 gunboats recently launched in Lagos by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun.

He added that a new Submarine Tactical Squad has been established to strengthen internal maritime security, while land-based patrols have been expanded through the EkoStrike Force, a rapid-response unit created by the IGP to complement the Rapid Response Squad (RRS).

Jimoh said the EkoStrike Force has improved emergency response to security flashes and has contributed to the reduction in crime levels in the state, announcing that Somolu Local Government has constructed a permanent site for the strike force. 

He also announced the expansion of the tactical squad from 23 teams to 35, with plans to increase the number to 57 so that every local government and LCDA can have a dedicated response team.

On the successes recorded by the command, Jimoh disclosed that 56 suspects involved in various offences including armed robbery, kidnapping, stealing, conspiracy, assault occasioning harm and threats to life were arrested during multiple operations in November.

He said the arrests were accompanied by significant recoveries, including nine stolen exotic vehicles taken by drivers and car wash attendants, as well as one motorcycle allegedly removed from a park through fraudulent conversion and smuggling.

Across the same period, operatives recovered six firearms, including locally made pistols, cut-to-size guns, a single barrel gun, live cartridges, and several dangerous weapons such as a machete, battle axe and assault dagger. 

Police also seized Nigerian military camouflage, charms and fake foreign currency amounting to $4,000.

“These achievements are a testament to our sustained November strategy aimed at dismantling criminal gangs, intercepting stolen property, removing illegal firearms from circulation, and strengthening public safety across Lagos State,” Jimoh said.

He added that Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers, Tactical Squads and Unit Commanders have been directed to provide adequate security at all worship centres, especially during services and festive activities.

“The security situation in Lagos is not alarming. We are firmly on top of the situation,” he assured. “The successes recorded are not due to police efforts alone but also the support and collaboration of residents who have continued to work with the command to safeguard lives and property.”

Jimoh urged Lagosians to remain vigilant and continue partnering with the police to sustain the state’s security gains.

 

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Army Confirms Death Of Soldier Attacked By Mentally Unstable Man In Ikorodu

The 81 Division of the Nigerian Army has confirmed the death of a soldier, who was attacked by a mentally unstable man on Sunday, in the Ikorodu area of Lagos.

A video that went viral on social media showed the lifeless body of the soldier lying in a pool of blood. The body of the attacker, dressed in tattered clothes, was also seen on the ground, while voices in the footage suggested that the attacker had shot the soldier with the deceased rifle.

However, a statement by the 81 Division of the Nigerian Army through its acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Lt. Col. Musa Yahaya, clarified that the deceased, who was deployed for internal security duty in the Imota area of Ikorodu, was struck on the head with a heavy log by the mentally unstable man. The statement said the soldier was attempting to de-escalate a chaotic situation when the attacker struck from behind.

The statement read: “Without prejudice to the ongoing investigation into the incident, it is necessary to provide preliminary information on the circumstances surrounding the incident. On November 16, 2025, about 4p.m., one of the soldiers deployed for internal security duty in the Imota area of Ikorodu, while attempting to de-escalate a chaotic situation, was attacked by a mentally unstable individual. The attacker struck the soldier on the head with a heavy log, causing severe injury.

“The situation was brought under control by other soldiers at the scene, who neutralised the attacker and recovered the soldier’s body”

 

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