Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted consignments of highly potent illicit substances concealed inside water purifier machines imported from the Netherlands, as part of a series of coordinated anti-drug operations that resulted in major seizures and arrests across several states.
The breakthrough occurred on May 26, 2026, during an inspection at a courier facility in Lagos, where NDLEA officers discovered illegal drugs carefully hidden inside water purification equipment shipped into the country.
According to details released by the agency, the intercepted consignment contained 3 kilograms of ketamine and 199 grams of MDMA, substances classified among the most abused psychoactive drugs globally.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the agency confirmed the successful operation and highlighted its continued efforts to dismantle drug trafficking networks operating within and outside Nigeria.
“Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have uncovered consignments of high potency illicit drugs concealed in water purifier machines shipped to Lagos from Netherlands,” the statement said.
The discovery formed part of a wider nationwide enforcement campaign that also led to significant arrests and seizures in Kaduna, Niger, and Enugu states.
In Kaduna State, NDLEA operatives raided a residence in the Gonin Gora area on May 24, leading to the arrest of a married couple identified as Musa Sunday and Mercy Sunday, alongside another suspect, Salomi Ezekiel.
During the operation, officers recovered 100 jumbo bags of skunk with a combined weight of approximately 1,246 kilograms.
The agency described the seizure as one of the notable recoveries recorded in recent weeks as efforts intensify against large-scale drug distribution networks.
On the same day, another operation conducted along the Abuja-Kaduna highway at Jere led to the interception of a 30-year-old suspect, Sunusi Musa.
A search conducted on the suspect reportedly uncovered 380 rounds of 7.62mm military-grade ammunition allegedly being transported to Katsina State.
Following the discovery, the suspect and the ammunition were transferred to the appropriate security agency for further investigation and possible prosecution.
The NDLEA noted that the collaboration among security agencies remains critical in addressing both drug trafficking and related criminal activities across the country.
In Niger State, operatives acting on intelligence reports carried out a raid on a warehouse located in Gidan Kukah, within Bosso Local Government Area, on May 27.
The operation resulted in the recovery of 457 kilograms of skunk stored within the facility.
Following further investigations, officers tracked and arrested a suspect identified as Godwin Zakka at his residence in Minna in connection with the illicit consignment.
The agency stated that intelligence-driven operations continue to play a vital role in identifying drug warehouses and disrupting supply chains used by traffickers.
Meanwhile, in Enugu State, NDLEA personnel conducting routine patrol operations along the Onitsha-Enugu Expressway intercepted a commercial vehicle bearing registration number JAY-158-YF on May 28.
A search of the vehicle led to the discovery of a substantial quantity of controlled substances, including 22,000 tablets of tramadol, 100 ampoules of pentazocine, and 200 grams of bromazepam.
A suspect identified as James Maigari Wisdom was subsequently arrested in connection with the seizure.
The agency reiterated that tramadol and similar prescription medications remain among the most abused substances in Nigeria, contributing significantly to drug dependency and related social problems.
Beyond enforcement activities, the NDLEA disclosed that it has continued to expand its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy campaign across the country.
The initiative focuses on preventive education and public awareness aimed at discouraging drug abuse, especially among young people.
According to the agency, sensitisation programmes were recently conducted in schools, communities, workplaces, and religious centres across several states, including Cross River, Taraba, Lagos, and Anambra.
It stated that the campaign remains a key component of its strategy to address drug abuse through both enforcement and public enlightenment.
“With the same zeal, Commands and formations of the Agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse sensitisation activities in schools, worship centres, work places and communities, among others,” the agency said.
Reacting to the recent successes, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), commended officers involved in the operations for their dedication and professionalism.
He praised the agency’s personnel for maintaining momentum in both enforcement activities and preventive campaigns aimed at reducing drug abuse nationwide.
Marwa also encouraged officers to sustain and strengthen ongoing efforts to dismantle drug trafficking syndicates and prevent illicit substances from reaching communities.
The NDLEA boss reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to intensifying operations across the country as part of broader efforts to combat drug trafficking, protect public health, and enhance national security.
