…arrests Alhaji Hammed Ode
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has smashed two major cocaine cartels behind six United Kingdom-bound drug consignments, arresting the alleged mastermind, Alhaji Hammed Taofeek Ode, and five other suspects in a series of intelligence-led operations across Lagos State.
According to the agency, the operations, which spanned over three weeks, uncovered a total of 20.5 kilograms of cocaine concealed in the walls of stainless cups, body cream, and hair gel containers. The NDLEA also destroyed 24,897 kilograms of cannabis (skunk) in forest raids in Edo and Osun States.
The agency noted that the breakthrough began on September 16, 2025, when operatives at the export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, intercepted 174 parcels of cocaine weighing 13.4 kilograms, concealed in cocoa butter body cream containers.
Further investigations led to the identification and eventual arrest of Alhaji Hammed Taofeek Ode, who posed as a businessman and real estate developer.
Ode, who reportedly lived in several European countries, including the United Kingdom, Austria, France, and Germany, admitted ownership of the seized drugs during interrogation, claiming he purchased them for over ₦150 million.
In similar operations, NDLEA operatives foiled five additional cocaine export attempts to the UK. The series of arrests began on September 26, following the seizure of 2.1 kilograms of cocaine concealed in hair cream containers.
The subsequent arrest of a cargo agent led to the capture of Smith David Korede, a furniture maker, at his residence in Mafoluku, Oshodi, where another 1.4 kilograms of cocaine destined for the UK was recovered. Two more UK-bound consignments were seized on October 2, leading to the arrest of Ogunbiyi Oluseye Taiwo and Popoola Francis Olumuyiwa. The cocaine, weighing 2.6 kilograms, was hidden in crayfish packages and stainless cups.
READC ALSO:
- Indonesia school collapse death toll hits 63
- PENGASSAN sacks exco for failing to cut off gas supply to Dangote refinery
- French PM Lecornu resigns hours after unveiling cabinet
In a related operation, NDLEA officers intercepted a shipment of 6.3 kilograms of “Loud”, a potent strain of cannabis, smuggled from Thailand and concealed in bedsheets and hibiscus flowers.
In Kano State, a joint NDLEA–Customs operation along the Danbatta-Daura Road led to the arrest of Sa’adu Ali, 38, and the seizure of 290,450 pills of Tramadol and Pregabalin on October 2.
In Lagos, notorious dealer John Igbe, alias SammyBless, was arrested at Lekki with 550 grams of Colorado, while three others were nabbed in Mushin with 109 kilograms of skunk, 20 bottles of codeine syrup, and 2 kilograms of nitrous oxide. Additional recoveries included 3,700 bottles of codeine and 550,000 expired diclofenac tablets at the Trade Fair Complex, Alaba.
Similarly, NDLEA officers in Kwara arrested Salisu Abubakar, 25, with 27,700 Tramadol pills, while in Kaduna, Blessing Ovaka, 50, was caught with 498.5 kilograms of skunk, and Dahiru Salisu, 27, was arrested with 34,180 Tramadol capsules along Kaduna–Zaria Road.
In Ogun State, operatives raided Isheri, Obafemi Owode LGA, seizing 112 kilograms of skunk and 16 grams of Tramadol. In Osun, three suspects were arrested in the Owena/Ijesha forest reserve, where officers destroyed 14,000 kilograms of cannabis on 5.6 hectares of farmland.
In Edo State, NDLEA officers intercepted a vehicle loaded with 244.5 kilograms of skunk at Igbanke and later destroyed 10,897 kilograms of cannabis on four farms in Ugbodo forest, arresting two suspects.
Across Kogi and the FCT, patrol teams intercepted 3.27 kilograms of “Loud” and 25.5 kilograms of skunk, leading to the arrests of Tobi Odubote, 34, and Ismail Abdurrahim, 32, respectively.
However, Chairman and Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd.), commended the officers for their professionalism and dedication.
He praised the operatives of the MMIA, DOGI, Kano, Edo, Kwara, Kaduna, Ogun, Osun, Kogi, and FCT commands for their resilience and contribution to the agency’s ongoing drug control efforts.
“We’ll continue to target and dismantle every identified drug cartel—from the mules to the dealers and up to their leadership,” Marwa said. “Every arrest, seizure, and forfeited asset represents innocent lives saved and communities protected, both in Nigeria and abroad.”
