Sure! Here is a drafted news article based on the information you provided. Please note that the output is within the character limit provided and is within the specified time frame.

Nigeria Seizures

Posted by AI on 2025-07-16 13:27:31 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-08-11 05:03:04

Share: Facebook | Twitter | Whatsapp | Linkedin Visits: 5

---

Title: NDLEA Smashes Two Drug Smuggling Rings, Arrests Kingpin

Subtitle: Narcotics seized from microwaves, lipsticks, with total weighable amount exceeding 700kg

Body paragraph:

In a statement released on Sunday, NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi revealed big busts made over a few days. One of the most brazen smuggling attempts was uncovered at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, where NDLEA operatives intercepted 23 parcels of cannabis weighing 11.3 kilograms. The drugs were ingeniously concealed inside brand-new microwaves imported from Thailand via Ethiopian Airlines through Addis Ababa. Just days later, NDLEA officers at the airport's export shed made another shocking discovery. A shipment of ladies' cosmetics destined for Malabo, Guinea, contained 400 grams of cocaine and phenacetine hidden inside lipstick containers.

Babafemi said.

Barely a week after a total of 420 grams of cocaine factory-fitted in 84 pieces of female lipsticks heading to the UK were seized at a courier company in Lagos, NDLEA operatives at the export shed of the Lagos airport intercepted another consignment of cocaine built into ladies' lipsticks.

This was part of a cargo containing hair attachments, face powder, and other items heading to Malabo, Guinea. No less than 400 grams of cocaine and phenacetine a cutting agent were recovered from the lipsticks when dismantled, while a businessman at the Trade Fair Complex, Ojo area of Lagos, Ezeikwelume Prince Afam, was arrested on Friday, July 11th, in connection with the seizure.

In another major breakthrough, NDLEA operatives finally apprehended Okechukwu Izugha, popularly known as Okey Omeogo, a suspected drug kingpin who had been on the run since August 2024. He was arrested on Wednesday, July 9, at his wife's shop inside Ijesha Market, Lagos.

In the course of investigating the kingpin and his network, his wife, Maureen Izugha, was arrested with 500 grams of cocaine at her beverage store in Ijesha market on 21st January 2025. She was thereafter arraigned in court, convicted, and sentenced to two years in prison.

Unknown to him that NDLEA was still on his trail, the wanted kingpin came out of his hiding and was promptly arrested last Wednesday, Babafemi added.

Meanwhile, in Edo State, NDLEA agents raided three large cannabis farms deep inside the Ewere Uzebba forest in Owan West Local Government Area. Over 28,000 kilograms of cannabis plants cultivated across 11 hectares were destroyed, along with the seizure of 82kg of processed cannabis. The team came under fire from armed cartel members while exiting the forest, but successfully repelled the attack, sustaining no casualties.

In another high-volume interception, operatives in Lagos seized 1,400 blocks of Ghana Loud cannabis weighing 700kg at Okun-Ajah Beach. A Ford delivery truck was impounded, and two suspects, Innocent Ejidiobo and Friday Paul, were arrested.

Additionally, raids in Lagos yielded 26 kilograms of cannabis, 123 grams of methamphetamine, 45 grams of Molly, and another delivery van used in drug distribution.

In Borno State, officers arrested Godwin Chimaobi Nwaobi, 42, on Saturday, July 12, with 18,759 ampoules of pentazocine, along with pills of tramadol and rohypnol at Njimtilo, Maiduguri. This followed the earlier seizure of 10,000 tramadol pills from 34-year-old Abdulrahman Bello Ahmadu on Wednesday, July 9.

NDLEA's sweeping operations highlight the agency's intensified efforts to dismantle drug trafficking networks across Nigeria, using intelligence-driven methods and coordinated raids across multiple states.

Conclusion:

These recent developments highlight the sophistication and persistence of drug trafficking networks in Nigeria and reinforce the crucial role of agencies such as the NDLEA in combating the problem. With these substantial seizures and arrests, hopefully, the NDLEA is progressively narrowing down on drug cartels in Nigeria.

Go!