A wave of arrests and drug seizures kicked off the new year, with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) targeting individuals involved in various illicit activities across several states. On January 1, 2025, NDLEA operatives apprehended Alhaja Aishat Feyisara Ajoke Elediye, a 61-year-old woman known as “Iya Ruka” in the drug underworld, at her Lagos mansion. She was wanted for leading a significant drug cartel operating in the Mushin area. Authorities seized 1,540 kilograms of cannabis from a truck driven by one of her associates, Abideen Adio. Elediye, who presented herself as a businesswoman importing fabrics and shoes, was also a prominent figure in a Lagos women’s club.
Also, on December 27, 2024, Emeka Emmanuel Mbadiwe, a US-trained filmmaker and motivational speaker, was arrested in a Lagos hotel. Authorities had previously apprehended his partner, Uzoekwe Ugochukwu James, who was transporting 17.3 kilograms of high-grade cannabis (Loud) concealed in wooden boxes shipped from the United States. These shipments highlight the sophisticated and often international nature of drug trafficking operations.
In Kwara State, Khadijat Abdulraheem, 24, and Ayomide Morakinyo, 20, were arrested for producing and selling drug-laced cupcakes to students. A search of their apartment yielded 42 drugged cakes. This disturbing trend demonstrates the lengths some individuals will go to in targeting even vulnerable populations.
In another significant case, Sodade Sunday Eniola, an ex-convict previously jailed for drug trafficking, was rearrested for smuggling passports hidden inside shoes and food items. Authorities discovered 52 passports destined for countries like Canada and Russia. This reveals a complex network of criminal activity potentially involving identity theft and international smuggling.
Finally, on December 31, 2024, a joint operation between NDLEA officers and the Nigeria Customs Service resulted in the seizure of 316,800 bottles of codeine-based syrup at the Port Harcourt Ports Complex. Similarly, in Kano, operatives recovered 149,090 tramadol pills and other drugs from a dealer.
These actions underscore the NDLEA’s commitment to combating illicit drug trafficking and related offenses. These multi-state operations showcase the agency’s reach and dedication to disrupting criminal networks.
